Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ciatta-Mae Oju Stubblefield. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ciatta-Mae Oju , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I am a preschool special education teacher by day but I consider myself a full time creative. I have written, directed and produced three stage plays. My stage play “The Bending Tree” was featured in a Stage Reading at the 2019 Atlanta Black Theatre Festival. My latest stage play “Bloodlines” is slated for a November 2022 release.

There are two projects that have been most meaningful for me as a Liberian playwright and woman of faith. I wrote my first play in 2007 and launched it later that year at my church – International Christian Fellowship. I did not have formal training as a playwright but I felt a deep desire to share my faith through plays. The “High Price” was a huge success and had a greater impact then I could ever imagine. “High Price” taught me that I don’t always have to have all the answers to step out on faith but I do need to take action.
I was deeply moved by my 2018 stage play. “The Bending Tree” because it centered on three generations of Liberian women and trauma across generations. This play placed sexual assault, keeping secrets in a family and mother/daughter relationships on display. My previous plays were more light hearted and driven by humor. “The Bending Tree” was my effort to bring issues that plagued my culture to the table

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?

As a Liberian playwright my goal has been to celebrate my culture. I did not see anyone that looked like me. I wanted to ensure that my three daughters and other West Africans would have an opportunity to see themselves on the stage and in a story. I wrote my first play in 2007 to share my faith and I created my first stage play in 2012 to celebrate my culture. In 1990. a war broke out in Liberia and I along with many of my countrymen became refugees. I believe the story of West Africa, specifically that of a West African refugee is a story about resilience, overcoming obstacles and celebrating life. I believe that many people who may not be of West African descent can relate to those stories – discovering resilience in the face of challenges, the power of community and celebrating the beauty of life every opportunity you get! I have since expanded my brand Bookish African Girl from writing stage plays to a book community @bookishafricangirl where we read an African story each month to celebrating Africa through merchandise such as African journals and tees.
Throughout my journey, I’ve learned that my biggest obstacle as a creative has been me – my doubts, fears, and procrastination. I had to really buckle in and face these challenges in order to be the best creative I could be.
I hope my audience will see my authenticity and my desire to share my journey in an open and honest way. This desire has led me to creating my latest offering – classes that encourage creatives to take action through faith-based strategies. My share will be featured at the 2022 Atlanta Black Theatre Festival in September.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The greatest mission driving my creative is my desire to showcase my faith and my love for my African culture. Any play that I write or product that I produce seeks to encourage faith and champion culture. I think as a creative it is critical that you have a mission so that you will stay on your path and remain focused. When you are mission minded, it helps when you face tough seasons and to remember why you are on the journey.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to unlearn the lesson of doing everything myself. I was the writer, producer and director for all my stage plays. I have since learned not to wear that as a badge of honor but to build a team and delegate the work. When you do everything on your own, you risk the potential of draining yourself physically and you rob others of the opportunity to partner with you on your creative journey.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @bookishafricangirl

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