We were lucky to catch up with Luvenia White recently and have shared our conversation below.
LuVenia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?
From Closed Doors to Open Windows: How We Built “Mix Up The Drama”
Life is full of moments where it feels like every door is closed, but the lesson I’ve learned is this: when no doors are open, start looking for windows. This philosophy has been my guiding light on a journey that started with acting dreams and led me to the creative, fulfilling world of writing and producing.
For years, I pursued acting, pouring my heart into auditions and roles, hoping to break into the industry. But as time went on, opportunities seemed scarce, and I started losing hope. I faced a choice: give up or keep going. I chose to persevere, even though the path wasn’t clear. That decision led me to create opportunities for myself by writing plays.
My first stage play was a spoken word production called When Life Happens. I had no idea how to produce a show, but I was a keen observer. From my time acting in productions like A Raisin in the Sun by Kelvin Wade Productions and Broken and Bitter by Baz Brothers Productions, I learned what made a show successful. I reached out to both companies, and their generosity—sharing advice, resources, and encouragement—gave me the push I needed.
The success of When Life Happens ignited a fire in me. I began writing feverishly, creating not only for myself but also for others. However, like any creative journey, there were challenges. When I found myself stuck, I remembered an event from my church, Drama and Dessert, which featured topical skits paired with homemade desserts. The joy and creativity of that event inspired me to explore new ideas.
I reached out to Wanda Wynn Watters, the former drama director at my church, with an idea for a new type of show. Together, we envisioned Mix Up The Drama, a variety show blending live skits, music, comedy, and more. Wanda immediately saw the potential, and we began collaborating.
We brainstormed skit ideas, wrote scripts, and sought feedback from trusted individuals. Their insights helped us refine our work into something we were proud of. Casting came next, a mix of auditions and handpicked talent. Rehearsals were resourceful—using church rooms, schools, and even my home when we couldn’t afford formal spaces.
The first Mix Up The Drama show was a testament to perseverance and creativity. Today, it has grown into an annual event in Atlanta, held every spring. With a budget now in place, we’re able to rent rehearsal spaces and continue improving the production year after year.
Mix Up The Drama has become more than a show—it’s a celebration of resilience, creativity, and community. If you’re ever in Atlanta during the spring, we’d love for you to experience the magic firsthand. The journey has been challenging but rewarding, and it all started with a decision to create my own opportunities.
When doors stay closed, find the windows. And if there are none, build one. That’s how Mix Up The Drama was born, and that’s the mantra that keeps us going.
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 back background and context?
I’m just a Georgia girl, born and raised in Decatur, GA, with a deep passion for storytelling. My journey as a writer began after being inspired by the phenomenal poet Jessica Care Moore. Seeing her pour her heart out on the Apollo stage in Harlem opened my eyes to the power of words. Though I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to say at the time, I knew I wanted to use my voice to make an impact.
I started with poetry, a path that eventually led me to publish two remarkable poetry collections: When Life Happens and Before the Summit. Over time, my passion for storytelling expanded, and I found myself drawn to playwriting. Now, I am both a playwright and a poet, offering not only my own creative works but also crafting custom poems and plays for individuals and organizations.
What sets me apart is my ability to tell stories that deeply resonate with audiences. I pride myself on truly listening to my clients and incorporating their vision into each piece. Whether it’s my books, commissioned work, or Mix Up the Drama—the Atlanta-based variety show I co-created with my business partner Wanda W. Watters—I am committed to creating captivating experiences from start to finish. Feedback is an integral part of my process, and I continuously refine my work to exceed expectations.
I am most proud of the books I’ve published, especially my latest children’s book, Time For Math, which joins my poetry collections as a testament to my love for storytelling and education. Every project I take on is an opportunity to glorify God through my gifts and talents. Wanda and I are dedicated to delivering quality work, knowing that our brand represents not only our creativity but also the Kingdom of God.
I want my readers, clients, and fans to know that when they engage with my work, they’re experiencing a piece of my heart, a commitment to excellence, and a story crafted to inspire, entertain, and uplift.
Do you have any stories of times when you almost missed payroll or any other near death experiences for your business?
Our first Mix Up the Drama was on March 7, 2020–right before the word shut down. We had poured all of our money, time, and efforts into creating a phenomenal show. I had promised my actors payment from the proceeds of the show. Who new the world would literally shut down the following weekend. I thank God everyday for allowing us to slip through the cracks of the pandemic. We had a successful show. for many artist, it was their last live performance for nearly 2 years.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative and artist is the smiles and laughter I see coming from those in the audience. It is also the affirming feedback that individuals share with me after a show. I have had several people come up to me and share their stories, because they were able to relate to the content in my poetry or during Mix Up The Drama. If the work we do impacts at least one person, I’m okay with the hard work that was sacrificed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://luveniaw.wixsite.com/the-poet
- Instagram: msluthepoet
- Facebook: luveniawhite
- Youtube: @Msluthepoet
