We were lucky to catch up with DeAnna Brown recently and have shared our conversation below.

DeAnna, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on I will say was the first play I wrote, directed and produced “Grandmas” in 2015. Looking back, it wasn’t the best production, but it was the one with the most passion I’ve ever had for the arts. This production gave me the confidence that I could lead a group of artists to the finish line. We had so many 1st timers and dreamers on stage, that our production may have suffered in the eyes of perfectionist, but to us it was sheer magic! We pressed through all sorts of adversities and major problems to get this show on the stage. We made our own T-shirts, sold tickets, designed and printed programs and flyers; we prayed our way through this production. We even had rehearsals twice a week for 3 months in my home, it was great.

It was so meaningful to me, because it was more than I prayed for. I literally went from page to stage and these people were now standing in my dream, acting out the script that I wrote. My mind was blown away, and my heart was overflowing with gratitude when they performed. It was beautiful!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I guess I have always been in the “industry” in some way or another, from family talent shows to lunchroom table beat battles. Encouraging creative people to pursue their artistic God-given gifts and talents is my superpower. I started full-time in the arts and entertainment industry in 2011. I was so determined to help myself and others find the in-roads to the industry here in San Antonio, TX, that I solicited the help of my family and two friends and we started a Non-Profit organization, Forward Progress Arts & Entertainment Center, Inc. Dedicated to helping creative dreamers to become authentic artists, established in 2013. By offering access to industry professionals, creating local productions with training and mentoring. We are able to showcase their talents and provide resume building opportunities for those interested in pursuing a career in the vast array of job opportunities in the entertainment industry and other career paths.

I am not only the founder and CEO, I am a client. As a multi-disciplined artist I have grown my career right here in SA,TX. Over the past nine years, by working with local professionals that have given me access to learn as I volunteered my time and sometimes my dime, to help produce projects. Whatever role I played, from production assistant to director, and actress to writer; I am grateful to have been a part of so many different projects that I believe I have become and authentic artists.

I hope that the work I’ve done as a three-time best actress and Best of Fest award winner for the short film “Breaking Brokenness”, will be viewed as my evolution in the San Antonio Entertainment Industry. I have been the producer, show-runner and host of The Forward Progress Show, on public access television since 2018. I wrote, directed and produced, “Grandmas” a stage play, Co-directed a two-season sitcom, “The Odd Life of Shay Little”, acted in the award-winning short film “Retirement Day”, as well as becoming a Luminaria Artists in 2021 and featured artist performing for that year’s festival. Currently in post-produce is a project I also wrote, produced and starred in, “The Rays” an upcoming television comedy.

I want people to know that as I write the answers to this interview, I realize that I am not writing through the lens of one of my many made up characters, but from the reflection in the mirror. And the truth is, there were days I didn’t like the reflection, but I kept moving forward. And that’s basically my brand, “Go as far as you can see, and when you get there, you’ll be able to see further”.

Like, I am not being religious when I say, I believe I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength, “when I give Him something to work with”. I cannot pretend that my faith in God doesn’t have everything to do with me being a part of all of these wonderful projects and meeting the most awesome people that I have experienced along my journey. I am so thankful, as an ordained minister, I want to use my gifts of encouragement and compassion to convey a message of service to those I encounter.

I am currently working on an after-school film program with local filmmakers collaborating on this amazing project for underserved youths in our community.

Is there a mission driving your creative journey?

My mission, adopted by our organization, is to encourage creative dreamers to become authentic artists. That drives me to pursue the purpose of my passion in the arts and entertainment industry. It pushes me to provide platforms for them and myself to practice our craft, make mistakes, all in the pursuit of excellence in the industry. I have pursued a full-time career in this industry for 9 years, and I have won several film-festival awards, and community recognition, with many completed projects on my resume. Collaborating with other filmmakers to provide opportunities for creatives that need a hand up and access to experienced industry professionals, is the reason I resiliently pursue my creative journey.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, creating is the most rewarding aspect of being a “creative”. If it’s making a film, then I love production. I love being on set making movie magic. If it’s fine art, then I love the process of painting and even watching paint dry is fascinating. During the pandemic I created over 70 art pieces.

It’s the creation for me. I often use the #created2create to simply mean, I was created to create by the Creator of creation. Like the beauty of creating something out of nothing, manifesting a dream into reality, that’s everything to me. To have and use a gift so special is a great honor that I do not take lightly.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://fwdprogress2.com/dreamarcher
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grandsonantics/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deanna.brown.7374
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ deanna-brown-b6133b10a
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLus-YArHbiiryV4YVGilkBZAS9L_FptbJ
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6217233/?ref_=tt_ov_st

Image Credits
Tika Cook, Niecy Nicole Bush, and AndrewJacobi Jeter