Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonya Welch.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Sonya. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Writing for me is Ministry. My desire is for God to use me as a vessel to reach those who are hurting or lost and use my words to help them heal. I first began writing poetry when I was 12 years old. In my early 20’s I started writing short skits for Black History Month, Easter and Christmas for my church. I also wrote a book of poetry. In the early 90’s with the encouragement and full support of my late Pastor, Dr. Elroy Barber, I wrote my first full-length stage play, entitled, “A Miracle on 28th Street. The play was performed at Westside Baptist Church which happened to sit on 28th Street in Hollywood, Florida. Back then, I knew nothing about directing a stage play, so my daughter’s God-Mother and known Elocutionist, Mary Smith stepped in as Director, making the play a total success. From then on, I wrote many stage plays which were performed by the Drama Ministry at church.
In April of 2013, I decided that it was time to venture outside of the four walls of the church and launch my own theatre company, This is when The W Theater Ensemble, Inc. was birthed. I had always wanted to produce a professional stage play, but I was afraid due to my of my lack of experience. One day I decided to face my fears, so I began writing the play, “Torn Between Two Lovers”. Once I wrote the play, I started casting. When casting was done, I had no choice but to produce the show. After that first show, there was no turning back. Since it’s inception, the W Theater has produced 16 successful stage plays in Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties in Florida. And 4 stage plays in the Metropolitan Atlanta area. Some of those plays include “The Chosen One”, “The Pastor’s Kids”, “Love Don’t Live Here”, The 1 Thing I Wish She Knew”, and “Church Women”.
In February 2020, The W Theater moved from Florida to Atlanta, Georgia. Our first performance as official Georgia residents will be Sonya Welch’s HIT Stage Play, “The 1 Thing I Wish She Knew” showing in early 2021.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Because advertising on radio and television comes at such an astronomical cost, marketing has been my biggest obstacle from day one. For the most part, I’ve depended on advertising through social media sights and word of mouth. Fortunately for me, these low cost methods have resulted in many sold-out shows but I know in order to get my company’s name out on a much larger scale, I must advertise through radio and television.
Another obstacle has been finding dependable backstage/behind the scenes crew members. I’m thankful for my family members who step in at a moment’s notice. My Mom, Gloria Jackson, Son, Joshua Welch, Daughter, Kayla Davis and a host of my cousins. They have been my biggest help. Without them, I would be lost.
Finally, not many understand the blood sweat and tears it takes to put on a full-scale production. The long hours and sleepless nights. Juggling cast members and their different personalities. Constantly worry if people are going to show up to see the production. Going back and forth in your mind, whether what you’re putting out is good enough. Will people laugh? Will they cry? Will they be bored? It weighs on you like a ton of bricks when your name is all over something that can go either really well or really bad. It brings about a tremendous amount of pressure.
The W Theater Ensemble, Inc. – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The W Theater Ensemble, Inc. consist on an ensemble of community actors who come together to hone their craft, rehearse and perform inspirational stage-plays that I have written. We also facilitate acting workshops for adults, children and teens, and will be filming our first project in just a few weeks.
Although most of the actors I’ve had the opportunity to work with came with many years of acting experience under their belt, there were some who got their very first opportunity to act in front of a live audience in one of my productions. I am extremely happy to have been able to give those actors that platform.
One of the things I feel that sets The W Theater Ensemble apart is the family aspect. It has always been important to me to maintain a healthy, drama-free family atmosphere for my cast and crew. We are always in touch with one another even if we are not working on a project together.
Another unique aspect of my company is the fact that it is fully operated by bold and assertive women whom I can greatly trust and depend on. Those women include my Stage Manager, Ms. Essie Wright, Set Builder/Designer, Ms. Valerie Williams, Marketing, Ms. Rhonda Melvin and Concession Stand, Ms. Gloria Jackson (My Mom).
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
This may sound strange to some, but I define success as being in the complete will of God. Being in His will doesn’t always equate to being famous or making millions. What it does ensure is that as long as I am doing what He wants me to do, the way He wants me to do it with an attitude of gratitude, I will never want for anything and the sky is the limit. In short, If God is pleased with me, I am successful.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 954-536-8671
- Email: thewtheater@att.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewtheater/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheWTheaterEnsembleInc
- Twitter: @thewtheater
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonya-welch-140947a5/
Image Credit:
Debbie MUA Parent
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