Beyond Theater Blog

Every great festival is powered by performers who bring truth to the stage, depth to the dialogue, and emotion to every line delivered. For LaPorscha Rodgers, this year’s Jasai Theater Festival is more than just another performance, it’s a platform to showcase the magic of original storytelling and a stepping stone toward her biggest dream

Eboni Ferguson is more than a poet. More than a filmmaker. More than a producer. She is a force of creative intention, using every word, frame, and project to educate, uplift, and represent

When you ask Jada Terrell what she wants out of life, she doesn’t hesitate: acting, filmmaking, entrepreneurship, and the freedom to do it all on her terms

For Haiti Ock, music isn’t just a passion, it’s purpose. With more than 15 years in the game, this seasoned recording artist has graced stages nationwide, opened for industry heavyweights, and brought powerful energy to every performance.

For Kalief Ali, the dream is crystal clear, to act on stages across the world, sharing his passion and presence with audiences far and wide. But no matter how big the dream, Kalief's roots in Philadelphia's theater community run deep.

Some artists don’t just perform, they build stages, invite their communities in, and dare to shift the entire culture. At this year’s Jasai Awards, we are proud to honor Walter DeShields, a powerhouse of purpose, creativity, and legacy in Philadelphia’s arts community.

Every city has them, those tireless, passionate creatives who build the very backbone of its cultural identity. They aren't chasing fame, they’re shaping futures.

Tiffany Ford isn’t just building programs, she’s building futures. As the founder of Leaders & Legends Performing Arts Academy, Tiffany has spent over a decade creating safe, expressive, and transformative spaces for the youth of Southwest Philadelphia.

Visionary. Playwright. Branding architect. Cultural force. Jaret R. Barron is proof that when purpose meets execution, dreams don’t just manifest, they multiply.

When you meet Rhonda Roberts, you quickly learn she’s not just an artist, she’s an uplifter. Her dream is simple yet profound, to sponsor others so they can pursue their dreams too.

From the moment he picked up a mic and stepped onto a stage, Dr. John W. Graves III recognized art as more than a passion, it was his purpose.

When we talk about legacy, mentorship, and impact in theater, Mel Williams is a name that resonates through generations of performers, including my own experience.

Some creatives don’t just enter a room, they expand it. They shape it, elevate it, and infuse it with a spark you didn’t know was missing until they arrived. Charles L. Mont III, known affectionately as Charlie, is that kind of artist.

Jerome Scott does not write just to entertain, he writes to awaken, to connect, and to heal.

In every generation, there are artists who do more than perform, they provoke, they reflect, and they awaken. Eternal Sincere is one of those artists.

Sonja Burrus In every ensemble, there is a heartbeat, a presence so steady and sincere it quietly binds the whole. For this year’s Jasai Theater Festival, that heartbeat is Sonja Burrus.

From the tender age of six, T.C. “Storm” Caldwell has been no stranger to the stage. With a performer’s heart and a visionary’s mind, he has poured decades of passion into storytelling, breathing life into characters with every movement, word, and pause.

In every rehearsal breath and every stage-lit glance, Nicola Jean is discovering not just the character of Tanya but deeper parts of herself.

Tasha Holmes does not merely perform stories, she lives inside of them, pours herself into the characters she portrays, and walks audiences through worlds they never knew they needed to visit.

In every great production, there is someone behind the scenes, steady, thoughtful, precise, working in shadows to make the spotlight shine. For the Jasai Theater Festival, that person is Warith J. Watson.