We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Shaun Powell a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Powell, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
As a prominent playwright, I partnered with the historic Ritz Theater and Museum to create the Ritz Writers. The Ritz Writers are a collaborative effort between me, The Ritz Theatre and local writers with the vision of being the creative space for thorough education and experience. The mission is the develop programming that will bring the performing arts and community together. This was a meaningful project to me because I was able to pour back into each individual for their production, One Funny Christmas. To witness each individual grow and develop a better understanding of the performing arts made it all worth it. I would say this is one of the most meaningful productions I have ever been a part of.
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
I’m an entrepreneur, playwright, director and producer from Jacksonville, Florida. I received my Doctoral Degree in Christian Counseling from St. Thomas Christian University. I professionally, entered the playwriting industry in 2017 when I wrote my first stage play, The Wrong Man, making me the first African American female to sell out the Historic Ritz Theatre with an original stage play. After that, I begin to produce a stage play every year. In 2019, I decided to go into the film industry. I have directed and produced more than seven movies and sitcoms to date. What I think that sets me apart from others, is consistency. I am most proud of being in the position to teach and show others the way. I teach theatre and film to the youth at the Performers Academy, and I’ve partnered with the Ritz Theatre and Museum to create the Ritz Writers. As an entrepreneur, I consult with actors, directors, producers, playwrights and businesses on how to elevate their career or production. The main thing I want people to know about me is that I take what I do serious. I believe that time should not be taken for granted, therefore you shouldn’t waste yours or anyone else’s.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
The lesson I had to unlearn, is that success is the opposite of failure. I always felt that I had to win, there was no second place. If I wasn’t first, I would be disappointed. As I grew older, I realized that failure is an important part of success. Every failure is an opportunity. An opportunity to learn and grow to get better. I had to view failure as a compliment on how to understand the process of my success. I know that I’m successful every day I wake up. I know longer fear failure because it doesn’t prevent success.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
I wish I knew several resources earlier before my creative journey. Resources on local writing groups, theatre rentals, how to find locations for films, and working with the city film and television commission. Now, I attempt to help others not go through what I went through.
Contact Info:
- Website: powellfulproductions.com
- Instagram: drshaunpowell
- Facebook: drshaunpowell
- Youtube: powellful productions