Local StoriesDecember 28, 2023

Daily Inspiration: Meet BLaQue Pearl

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to BLaQue Pearl.

BLaQue Pearl

Hi BLaQue, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?

I started and pursued an artistic career because it was innately something that I was doing as a little girl. Playing in my mother’s clothes, dancing, and singing around the house. My mother would lowkey groom me with dancing because she was a former dancer. As I got older, I wasted no time joining any entertainment organizations in school. I played the E Flat Clarinet, PomPom Captain, & Show Choir. I wanted to join the acting troupe, but it was always closed due to capacity. When I finally went off to college, I then joined the dance team making me the only African American dancer at the time. I took ballroom dance one year and became the student teacher for two years teaching classes, gives tests, and checking homework. After I switched my major from Accounting to Theater, I would sneak off to be apart of the radio and tv student’s homework projects. Thespians sometimes feel that film acting is not real. I believe anytime I’m not LaQuesha Deneice Harris, I’m acting. I was determined to not limit myself. I eventually landed a role for a TV series that aired every Wednesday on a local TV channel in Carbondale, IL. OOPS! ENTERTAINMENT is my first own theater group in college that was started after freshmen year while teaching hip hop aerobics. Upon graduating with my BA in Theater Liberal Arts at SIUC, I started right away Dance Teacher in Belleville, IL. I linked up with JPEK Creative Works Acting troupe, and it led to exploring and enjoying so many Stage plays, musicals, & hosting. So without thinking, I knew I always wanted to be an Entertainer of Acting & Dance as a Career.

I would like to shout out my mom who loved and raised me. The original White Pearl, Pearley Mae Harris was the first to recognize the talent that she passed on to me. She was definitely slightly that stage mom who made sure if I was entertaining that I was going do it RIGHT! Of course along the way, I can’t forget my Aunty for her love and support to the Moon. I’m grateful for working at COCA Performing Art School as an Off Sight Coordinator for Acting and Dance, wearing many hats for my Theater Home of JPEK Creative Works and Sir Ervin Williams Productions. First and Far Most, My God Lord and Savior Jehovah/Jesus is the Person who created me and gave me the Passion that I have to give to his people. Entertainment is a ministry that blesses the souls if done correctly.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

The biggest challenge, besides my own self-doubt, would be surviving in the world of men. So many times I had to overly prove myself to the male species on why I deserve to be in the room. I overcame the challenge by simply letting my actions speak louder than my words. I kept showing up in the room every time smiling, helping, learning, and succeeding. I started as an Actress and dancer/Choreographer, BUT now I’m also a Director, Stage Manager, Script Supervisor, Stunt Coordinator, Casting Director, Acting Coach, and a Producer.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I went from an actress on a TV series every Wednesday in Carbondale, Illinois to teaching dance at elementary, middle school, clinical centers, senior living centers, performer art schools, performing years of staging with my theater home called Jpek Creative Works/Ervin Williams Productions, and Acting in upcoming films on Amazon and Tubi. I went from dancing in a college ballroom to hitting the stages of musicals, music videos, and live performances with Artists. All experiences lead me to who I am now: Actress, Dancer/Choreographer, Director, Stage Manager, Script Supervisor, Stunt Coordinator, Casting Director, Acting Coach, and Producer.

Please check out Amazon and Tubi’s awesome movie, starring and Supporting BlaQue Pearl,

– Asst Choreographer to R&B Singer Donell Jones

– THE GIFT OF GRACE (Amazon/Tubi)

– FORGOTTEN (Tubi).

– A TASTE OF BETRAYAL (Script Supervisor) in on Tubi RIGHT NOW

– IT’S COMPLICATED(I play the lawyer) Web-Series by Sir Ervin Williams is on YouTube

-STAND YOUR GROUND (I play the comic relief name ANN), stage production, is going up Sept 15-30th 2023 at Sewell Mill Cultural Center

– I am Casting and Directing a film in the STL Summer 2024

– Just Wrapped a movie Starred in, Asst Directed, and was a Producer.

I am most proud of myself pushing back and shutting down all the noises that thought I should stop. My God My God gave me the determined spirit to make a difference in my family. COURAGE IS NOT STRENGTH TO GO, BUT TO GO ON WITHOUT STRENGTH” adapted by Napoleon Bonaparte

What sets me apart is I’m not just an actress, but I have the understanding that I am a minister of the arts. I am not just standing on stage spewing things from my mouth without understanding, or without the knowledge that it may be affecting negatively or positively. I am a vessel. I am an instrument that is ministering to people. I am changing their lives by the end of the show. Because I know who I am in my craft, I take it upon myself to not just be the player on the stage, but also to learn every position behind the stage and set life with full knowledge. I am a Conscious Responsible Entertainer.

What makes you happy?
Being able to be creative, acting, dance, producing, and directing makes me smile. Creating is breathing. Entertaining people and making them smile ultimately makes my heart smile.

I understand my position in life is to entertain. When a person is working a 9 to 5 job and they come home tired, but they have the strength to turn on the television. They promised someone that they would go to the movies or to a stage play. At that time it is my job to take that person to a whole other world, forgetting what struggles of their day. I take them on a roller coaster ride of laughter, shedding tears, being shocked in amazement/fear, making them think, and tricking them with plot twists. When they leave my space talking about my work, I have done my job because the show was allowed them to breathe. For a split second, that person left their life and entered into my world. I gave them peace and understanding that can be applied to their current situation. I don’t do my job lightly. It’s a ministry. I accept the assignment!

Contact Info:

Website: https://blaquepearlent.wixsite.com/blaquepearlent
Instagram: https://instagram.com/blaquepearlworld?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blaque.pearl.9?mibextid=2JQ9oc
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX_opkLpeXGJLPjYkTasgwg#
Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@blaquepearlshow?_t=8i6rz17pBIg&_r=1

Image Credits
LJImages Photography Bow Jack Photos Khickin Photography

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