Today we’d like to introduce you to April Powell.
Hi April, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve heard the statement “It’s a marathon, not a sprint” quite a bit over the years, and I’ve learned there’s no truer statement than when you’re working toward the manifestation of your visions and dreams. But let me tell you, sometimes during your marathon, God will cause your race to kick into high gear, and you will start sprinting from manifestation to manifestation.
Before I migrated to ATL, I was a tough little girl growing up in West Philadelphia and most likely the shortest in the neighborhood. I’ve always had a creative imagination and have always been ready to make up a story at any moment. Some might’ve said that wasn’t a good thing, but I’m so glad I didn’t agree with them. In 1985, the movie The Color Purple came out, and one of the neighborhood mothers took a bunch of us kids to see it. That movie changed my life forever. I remember shortly after seeing the movie, I was cast in my first play, a rendition of ‘A Raisin In The Sun.’ I had a singing part, and I kept thinking I want to sing like Shug Avery did at the Juke Joint. That movie made me see the world through a lens that was full of possibility. I don’t know-how at such a young age, I knew that movie was so amazing and before it’s time. That day I realized I wanted to somehow make movies. Soon I began writing poems, which over time turned into short stories.
Then, came the big move to the A, and my worldview changed once again. I embraced it and let it guide my writing, but unfortunately, my stories began turning dark. There was turmoil in my world at home, and I fell into a depression. Through the dark days, I continued writing, and by the time I reached the age of 14, I had a couple of notebooks filled with words from pain, tears, and yearning that I hid from everyone. After a while, life took over, and I put the pen down. I got swept up in the hustle and bustle of adulthood and working just to pay bills. After landing a job at an Office Depot call center in 1999, I thought that was it for my creative endeavors, and for a while, it was. In 2000, as a member of the Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, I would often see the drama ministry bring stories to life to minister to the congregation. But these weren’t your run-of-the-mill bible stories. They always added a twist or incorporated scenarios relevant to our time. I was inspired and wanted to be involved, but mostly I wanted to meet the amazing person orchestrating these award-worthy plays. So, when someone suggested I join the drama ministry, I did.
That’s when I met a gem named Rona Dana, a woman who would become my mentor, sister, and one of my closest friends. Around the same time, I joined the media ministry led by Charis Harris, a young woman who at the time worked for 11Alive. I was overjoyed to see these awesome, Black women leading in such prominent positions, even in the church. I began acting and working backstage during our plays, and very quickly, Rona challenged my writing skills by inviting me to write a vignette that would be a part of collective production. It was the first time strangers would see a story I penned leap off the page and onto the stage. I was elated! That led to more writing, then stage managing, directing and ultimately co-chairing the drama ministry alongside her. Likewise, Charis taught me everything I know about operating a video camera and capturing some of the best and difficult shots. Once I mastered the camera, I graduated to directing live streaming services at church. Like the classic movie Karate Kid, I was Danielson and they were Mr. Miyagi; I soaked up all the knowledge they were pouring into me about theatre and multimedia, and I worked hard to keep growing and getting better at both.
I had gotten my creative mojo back and was once again longing to be the new creation of Alice Walker, Maya Angelou, and Steven Spielberg all rolled into one. When word got around at work about my outside engagements, a few of my managers found ways to use my creative skills at with special presentations, creating characters for training, and I even wrote for our short-lived call center newsletter. Over the next few years, I would often hear from coworkers and management, “You need to be working for Tyler Perry.” It became a thing, and my response was always, “If you see him, give him my name and number.” I wasn’t sure if that was the path God wanted me to take, but I was sure my destiny was not Office Depot. Still, that assurance would not manifest for quite some time. In 2010, I landed a freelance writing gig for an online magazine called Urban Spice, where I covered new music artists, fashion and hot spots in Atlanta. This gave me the confidence I needed to know I could put all my passion and skills to the test and succeed outside of the church. I was inspired by the artists and designers I was writing about. They had the same passion and desire I had, except they were actually doing it.
I decided it was time to stop imagining and do something to show the world or at least Atlanta my talents. I finally introduced Israel (my stage name) to the spoken word circuit in Atlanta. I had no idea me or my words would be received so well that I’d begin receiving invites to do spoken word at different events. After that huge confidence booster, I began hosting my own show titled ‘Speak Your Peace’ with live Music and Spoken Word at Kat’s Cafe in Atlanta. I created, produced, and marketed it myself and every show was packed. Those were some of the most fulfilling months of my life, but once again, life came in like a wrecking ball. I became an overnight parent after gaining custody of my 15-year-old nephew. My focus shifted again to paying bills and now raising a young, Black male with no time to plan or even ponder how this situation caught me by surprise a second time.
The first time I became his guardian, he was about ten years old, and it tore my heart to pieces when he left my care. Early in 2014, it was just me again and my very challenging time as a single parent had run its course. But the emotional rollercoaster continued when I found out in April that my job was going away. In true fashion, though, my God allowed one door to close while He was opening another. The same day I found out our call center was closing, I was also offered a position at our corporate office in Boca Raton, FL. Optimistic and hopeful for the future, I accepted the offer and transferred to the sunshine state where being away from everyone and everything I loved forced me to figure out “what’s next?”
My “next” was completing my education. So, I enrolled in Full Sail University to pursue my Bachelor of Science degree in Media Communications. I also joined the Toastmasters club at my job. I had never even heard of Toastmasters, but I learned it was right up my alley. I began participating in speech competitions and winning numerous awards. I know now that was all a part of God preparing me for my destiny. Now stay with me because this is where the hand of God began moving at light speed. Two years later, in 2016, Florida and I split amicably and I moved back to Atlanta. In December of 2017, after 18 years, I finally left Office Depot, and I never looked back. I was determined to somehow start doing what I loved instead of just getting another job. I began volunteering to help on film sets around the city, mostly indie films. But in this industry, it’s all about networking, making lasting connections, and leaving a great impression so when an opportunity presents itself, people will remember your name. That same month I’d been invited by none other than Rona Dana to preview a play titled ‘Guess Who Showed Up At Dinner’ written by Mark E. Swinton, Executive Producer and VP at Tyler Perry Studios (watch God work).
While there, Rona informed me they were looking for a stage manager to tour with the play and she asked me if I was ready. I said with my chest, “I’m ready!” Weeks would go by before I heard anything about the play again. 2018 had arrived, and I was on track to walk across the stage and collect my bachelor’s degree, but I would never make it to the graduation. One day I got a call, and Rona Dana was on the other end telling me to pack my bags because I was going on tour as stage manager of Mr. Swinton’s stellar play. And just like that (not really), we were on the road. That Spring I received my diploma in the mail along with three-course director awards and an award naming me Salutatorian of my class. I felt accomplished but not finished. Six weeks after graduating with my bachelor’s, I enrolled in the Creative Writing Master’s degree program at Full Sail University.
Once the tour wrapped, I was back to figuring out what to do next. I decided to take this time to just focus on my master’s program, work on some of my unfinished scripts, and continue volunteering on film sets. During my time of working in the indie world, I met some very talented creatives. One of those creatives was a young lady name Courtney Arlett. She told me about the concept of her show ‘Pretty For A Big Gurl’ and invited me to come aboard as a writer. I fell in love with how she wanted to focus on representation for Black women (at any size), so I happily joined in. August 8, 2018, I was at home sitting on my bed with a bunch of papers trying to organize my life. My phone rang, and it was my earthly angel, thee Rona Dana. She said Mr. Swinton was looking for an assistant at the studio and my name came up.
I interviewed for the position, and two days later, I began working at Tyler Perry Studios (manifestation). Later that year, I was presented with the opportunity to be the stage manager for Mr. Perry’s Farewell Madea Stage Play. In January 2019, I was three months from completing my master’s degree and packing to go on tour with the play. Once again, I would miss my graduation, but I didn’t care… this was a Tyler Perry Play tour! Everyone kept asking me how I was going to finish school while on tour. Many people told me to pause and take a break from school and then resume when the tour was over. But something in me wouldn’t let me; I could see the finish line. I’d worked so hard to get there I couldn’t stop, pause, or take a break.
I can recall quite a few nights on tour where I sat in the back of the tour bus doing homework while everyone else slept. Sometimes I would finish my homework at 5 am close my laptop and lay down to go to sleep only to pull up at our next venue at 6 am and have to get up to load in for the show that night. But it was all worth it when I got the email advising I’d completed the requirements to receive my Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing and had earned Salutatorian of my class, again. Unfortunately, my excitement was cut short when I learned my mom was ill and in the hospital. I flew home for a few days to be with her, and once the doctor said she was on the mend, I returned to the tour. We wrapped the tour the last weekend in May 2019.
August 11, 2019, my mom passed peacefully as I stood by her bedside. That was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to go through. Nothing I’d experienced even came remotely close to that pain. However, I was thankful for those last couple of months I got to spend with her. About two weeks before she passed, she asked me if my diploma had come in the mail yet. I was so focused on wanting her to get better I didn’t even realize I hadn’t shown it to her. The very next day, I showed my mom my master’s degree and her face lit up like I’ve never seen before. The look on her face that day is etched in my memory forever. Once I went back to work, all I focused on was work at the studio and other writing projects I’d begun working on. I wanted to continue making my mom as proud as she was that day, even in eternity.
Even with all of that going on, God never stopped moving, and neither did I. When the pandemic hit in 2020, I never stopped working. Thanks to Mr. Perry, we were able to film in a Covid safe bubble by staying on campus at the studio. During our time there, I had the wonderful opportunity to write on the hit show ‘House Of Payne.’ Now I have two episodes I’ve written for two different seasons. One will air in the current season and one next season. I am still searching for the words to describe the sheer joy I felt when I saw my name on those scripts as the writer. I thought this was it, that I had peaked in my short creative career. But then God showed out again earlier this year when I was promoted to Creative Executive. On July 18, 2021, He put a cherry on top when the first episode of ‘Pretty For A Big Gurl’ dropped online. We’ve had so much wonderful feedback and look forward to expanding that vision.
My journey seems like it’s been long, but I also feel like I’m just getting started, and I’m excited about that. I plan to keep elevating in this industry and hopefully create avenues and open doors of opportunity so more of our creative voices are represented. I’ve learned so many lessons on this journey, and I know there are many more to learn. But I hope that my determination and perseverance will inspire others to keep going and not give up. Remember, in this industry, networking is key. Don’t just tell them what you can do—show them. Make a positive, lasting impression, and when an opportunity presents itself BE READY to seize it.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road. For me, many of my challenges were personal. I had no balance or boundaries regarding one world spilling over into the other. I missed out on acting and writing opportunities because I allowed my personal life to get in the way. I had to learn to put myself first and tell people I loved no in order to focus on me. I realize now that was the reason God opened the door for me to move to Florida for two years. I was able to focus solely on my own alignment and advancement.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a professional writer. I’m also a Creative Executive at Tyler Perry Studios. I’m most proud of the episodes I’ve written for the television comedy “House Of Payne.” I’m also proud of being the stage manager for “Guess Who Showed Up At Dinner” and “Madea’s Farewell Play Tour.” I think what sets me apart is my ability to create energy with my mind when my body has none left to keep me going on a project. Also my ability to find the humor in pretty much every situation.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is two-fold. Leaving a legacy for my nieces and nephews and positioning myself to be able to open doors for more African American women in the TV/Film industry. Legacy is important to me because I often think how much further a lot of us could be if we had the proper tools, a head start, and someone willing to take us under their wing and teach us. My nieces and nephews are my children since I don’t have any biological ones. I want them to have the ability to go after their dreams, start a business with the majority of the capital already in the bank, or go to school without accruing debt. They shouldn’t have the same struggles we had, and if we can help it, they won’t.
Representation is a huge thing for me. I can recall many of the characters on the television shows I watched growing up didn’t often look like me. In order to have more representation, creative minorities need more opportunities to write, act, produce, direct, etc. It’s still an uphill battle, and I want to even the playing field.
Contact Info:
- Email: pfabgseries@gmail.com
- Website: https://prettyforabiggurl.com
- Instagram: @isreal311
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9SSq0q36BCk8Iact-3r5EA
Image Credits
Tara Harp Photography
