Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Shaun Holland-Powell.
Hi Dr. Holland-Powell, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
It started on the front porch of our home on the east side of Jacksonville, Fl. My mother wouldn’t allow me to hang out with the other kids in the neighborhood or go anywhere without my sister or brother. She basically kept me on the front porch. I would watch the day to day in our neighborhood from the view of my porch or window. I would write about whatever I saw. In middle school, I was given a writing assignment that would shape the next 25 years of my life. I wrote a story about a wife conspiring to kill her husband. It was called, The Death of Love. When my teacher placed my paper on the desk, the red F broke me. I couldn’t imagine how a great story would warrant such a grade. Then my teacher looked me in my eyes and said, “Never write again!”, you’re too young to have that much of an imagination. I could feel the tears starting to roll down my eyes.
After that day, I didn’t pick up another pen to write. That’s how it started. I eventually picked up a pen several years later. This time, it was for poetry. I would go on to write and perform on stages like the Historic Ritz Theatre in Jacksonville, FL. I performed at their Armature night and Kuumba festival. I contacted the flu in 2017. My family provided me with a laptop and quarantined me from the rest of the family. I wrote my first stage play, The Wrong Man. I showcased that play at the historic Ritz Theatre, the same stage that I performed on ten years prior. Making me the first African-American female to sell out the Ritz Theatre. I would go on to do a play every year for the next five years, except in 2020 due to the pandemic. My current stage play, Until You Do Right By Me has over 250K views on YouTube in three months. We have performed it four times to a sold-out crowd in Florida and Georgia. I am currently the first Playwright-in-Residence and Director of the Ritz Writers at the Ritz Theatre. All while writing stage plays, I started collaborating with Adolfo Latorre, a filmmaker in Jacksonville, Fl. We have both written, directed and produced several projects together. A sitcom, My Wife and Me, a full feature, I Do, I Don’t, a short, God Knows My Heart, and a short that’s on Amazon Prime, Truthless. God is the reason I’m at the level I’m on now. If it wasn’t for my faith and my spiritual covering, I would of never picked up a pen to write again.
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?
There’s no smooth road to anything. I read somewhere that, as we navigate our success journey, we find that the road may not always be smooth and many times our footing becomes unsure. During these times, remain focused on your desired outcome and keep reaching for the stars. Being a woman in the theatre/film industry have its challenges but it’s very fulfilling.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve created several companies. We offer acting consulting, filming, resume services and more. I specialize in writing/directing/producing movies, stage plays, music videos and sitcoms. My company offers all things acting, film and entertainment. I’m most proud of not giving up on my dreams. I left corporate America three years ago and never looked back. What sets me apart from others is my creativity, originality and having an open mind.
How do you think about luck?
There’s no luck when you’re blessed. God is always working things out for our good through His power and grace. He always works purposely. God’s grace plays a very significate role in my life.
Contact Info:
- Email: powellfulproductions@gmail.com
- Website: powellfulproductions.com
- Instagram: hollandwoodproductions
- Facebook: hollandwoodproductions
- Youtube: powellfulproductions
