2013/2014

Creative Work: Scholar Presenter

Scholarly Equivalency - Book

Hart's Contribution as a Scholar Presenter

Blackademics TV was a unique opportunity for me to utilize my expertise as a writer and my knowledge of public-focused dramaturgy. Public-focused dramaturgical efforts function to contextualize and offer frameworks for interpretation, critique and analysis.

The focus of the series is to offer scholarship to local, national and global communities through live studio participation, the internet and television. The finished product once televised reaches approximately 3 million television viewers and airs in Texas, New Mexico, Michigan, Wisconsin, Colorado and Florida. The seres is also available via the internet on the 350 PBS member stations that serve all 50 states, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and American Samoa.

The Scholar presenters are the "face" of the series. Scholar presenters create a twelve minute segment that focuses on their of research expertise and interest.

The selection process is highly competitive. Scholars must submit a research abstract and a committee of scholars makes the final selection of twelve scholars for each cohort. Prior to the live taping of the series in Austin TX, I prepared by writing a draft outline of my research critique based presentation. The critique focused on the strengths and limitations of the research. Then I analyzed the merits and faults of my critique to further developed the presentation . My final draft was edited to create a twelve minute presentation segment centered on my research focus.

My televised presentation was entitled, Not Just a Natural: Black Excellence in the Arts, can be viewed by clicking here In this research presentation I focused on debunking the myth and ideology in some circles that black artists are naturally talented and don’t have to work as hard to be talented.

My contribution to season two was to write a compelling scholarly researched based presentation to communicate my research focus as a dramaturge for a television audience and conduct an interactive, engaging academic presentation. Through my work as a scholar presenter I help shape the advancement of the scholarly and public discourse for my research focus.

Once I and the other members of our scholarly cohort arrived in Austin for the taping in front of a live audience I prepared myself via rehearsal to be on set for the live taping.

The series is taped in front of a live audience in Austin TX at KLRU-TV. Once I and the cohort of scholars arrives in Austin I continue to advise the scholar presenters on set for the live taping by being present and supportive during the rehearsal sessions preceding each recording session.

The outcome is consistent high quality researched based presentations that are nationally broadcast and distributed around the world via PBS television stations and electronic media.

Creative Work: Playwright & Production Director

Scholarly Equivalency - Refereed Article

Hart's Contribution as Playwright & Production Director

The role of a playwright is to tell relatable entertaining stories that fit inside a theatrical structure and have artistic and commercial merit.

With a 22 year career as a playwright and director of plays written for child actors performing for family audiences, the production of "Say it Loud" was actually prompted by me seeing an old record player in one of the prop rooms at Howard University. Looking at the record player got me to thinking about old albums and some of my favorite songs from when I was growing up. For instance, Say it Loud I’m Black and I’m Proud by James Brown. Then, I started to think about black pride and history and how relevant it is to always revisit the truth of history so that we remember from whence we come and acknowledge those legends and important persons (both famous and not so famous, like our own family members) who made it possible for this country and all of its citizens to experience the freedoms that resulted from the change they helped to create. While developing the play I was mindful to consider the varying ages of the audience members when constructing the story, creating the characters and music lyrics.

With regard to process, in the initial stages I collaborated with the musical director to create the lyrics and musical story structure. Thereafter I developed a draft of the script prior to the production and once the cast was selected I was able to make edits and incorporate ideas from the child actors. Once the final 90 minute full length script was completed a full cast read through was held and thereafter the rehearsal process began.

In my role as the production director I created the rehearsal schedule and conducted daily rehearsals with the actors. In addition, I held production meetings with the design team to make decisions regarding how to best capture the look, tone and mood of the play. Lastly, in collaboration with the design team I managed the tech process in preparation for the public event.

As playwright my contributions made to achieve the goals of creating a production reflecting artistic and commercial merit for "Say it Loud" include:

• Conduct ethnological and anthropological research to support the developing story line and character development
• Write music lyrics
• Write and edit multiple drafts of the play script
• Collaborate with music director on the flow and structure of the story as told through music
• Produce final script for production execution

My directorial contributions made to achieve the goals of creating a production reflecting artistic and commercial merit for "Say it Loud" include:

• Train students in fundamental theatre/directing techniques
• Guidance and instruction that reflect high standards and industry protocol
• In collaboration with the set designer determine the best use of the theatre space
• Collaborate with the musical director
• Guide and collaborate with the artistic/design team (set/costume/lighting and sound scape) to visually actualize the physical environment and atmosphere of the play
• Analyze the script for its structure, themes and socio/political arguments
• Assess, interpret and actualize the physical and verbal action of the play
• Cast the play
• Plan for and manage rehearsals that provide adequate time for actors and the design and production teams to achieve their individual goals
• Conduct rehearsals to construct blocking that reflect the plays tempo and help actors to discover and reveal a characters psychological truth
• In collaboration with the design team, manage technical rehearsals to solidify and clarify all light and sound cues and final design decisions
• Collaborate with the marketing and PR team