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CREATIVE GOALS & OBJECTIVES
M
r. Pitts has a strong teaching background from the University of
Pittsburgh where he came to realize that theatre can project better selfesteem, improve reading skills and focus. He is adamant about bringing
theatre to kids and giving teachers the skills and knowledge of how to
organize stage productions.
Ujima will bring theatre activities to kids and teachers directly into the schools as
well as facilitate a summer theatre camp.
We will perform stage play productions that inform youth about the history
and opportunities related to theatre and staged performances.
We will facilitate a youth summer theatre camp in order to allow inner city
youth the opportunity to exercise their imagination, communicate ideas,
interact socially with peers and leaders, and learn from mentors through
teamwork while combining academics and arts to produce an amazing
theatrical presentation.
Ujima Theatre plans to tour in 2007 and 2008 with their productions of “Love and
Street Corner Harmony”, “What Color Is Trouble”, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”,
“The Meeting” and an all-new musical entitled, “At The End Of The Rainbow.”
WHO’S WHO
RON PITTS, CEO
Ron Pitts is founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ujima Theatre, which produced and did a
presentation of The Meeting to some of the Columbus Public Schools this past season. His acting
career began somewhat unexpectedly when he stepped in to read for a part in August Wilson's Fences,
directed by Wilson, Originally from Pittsburgh, Ron made his Columbus acting debut as Martin in
Pittsburgh's Kuntu Repertoire Theatre's 1989 production of The Meeting. His other stage credits
include The River Niger, Loraine Hansberry's To Be Young Gifted and Black, August Wilson's
Jitney, and the original Black Nativity by Langston Hughes, and Columbus's own annual version of
Black Nativity. Ron also has several screen credits, including Dawn of the Dead, Emergency, and
television commercials. Since bringing Ujima to Columbus, Ron has directed Black Nativity, Long
Time Since Yesterday, Good Black Don’t Crack, August Wilson’s Jitney, Love and Street Corner
Harmony, The Meeting, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Master Harold and The Boys
and co-authored God What Color is Trouble, with Raymond Wise. Ron has been a schoolteacher and
retains an interest in education and personal development of young people.
KELLY CHILDS, Executive Secretary
Kelly Childs is a native of Columbus, Ohio born to Ronald and Geraldine Childs. She has two
younger sisters and two beautiful daughters, Jameya and Jayonna. She is a member of the New
Generation Church under the leadership of Pastor Maurice L Jackson and is an active in the Youth
Ministry and participate in various church activities. Kelly is currently enrolled at the Ohio
Dominican University as a full time student, where she will earn her Bachelors Degree in Business.
One of my goals is to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
"I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Ujima and I am excited about our future endeavors."
PAUL E. BREWER, Director of Communications / Business Manager
Minister Paul E Brewer Jr. is a native of Anchorage, Alaska. Yes Alaska where he grew up
performing in the church, as a child. Paul is a dynamic vocalist and a well sought after speaker and
says that his strength and talents come from the Lord. Paul says in his own words, "I'm not perfect but
I do serve a perfect God." Paul attended Cumberland College then he had an 8-year tour with the
Marines as a Recon Ranger. Paul moved to Columbus 9 years ago where his has held various
positions in local churches as Minister of Music, Minister of education, teacher, and bus driver to
name a few. He currently is an associate Pastor at United Faith International Baptist Church. Paul has
been a part of several performances with the group "Joyful Praise" and he is a board member and
actor with Ujima Theatre where he has had roles in the many plays, including What Color Is Trouble,
The Meeting and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Paul anticipates performing in many more productions
to come.
WHO’S WHO CONTINUED
ARTRA EDWARDS, Choreographer
27-year-old Choreographer/Singer born in Columbus, Ohio is experiencing her third year
choreographing for Love and Street Corner Harmony. Artra began her career in entertainment as a
dancer for Ujima Theatre Company. Out of which she formed her own dance troupe, The Ujima
Dancers. After performing in “Black Nativity 91" and “ God What Colors Is Trouble 92", She joined
a hip-hop group named S.A.R. Dancing for noted singer Tavarus, T-Tone and The Step II Team in
Hair Wars 99 and Spoiled Rott’n Hair and Nail Design Team in Hair Wars 2002 in Oakland,
California. This has afforded her the opportunity to open shows for 112, Dave Hollister, Goodie Mob,
Beanie Segal, The Lox, Master P, Too Short Gospel acts such as Hezekiah Walker Gospel fest 2003
with Keith Dobbins to name a few. Joining Ellis Production as a pit singer, she later starred in Leora
Turner’s hit gospel National Touring plays “If Loving You Is Wrong I Don’t want t be Right”, “Why
You All Up In My Business” and currently in “I Didn’t Mean To Hurt You”. Working with noted
singers LeLee Lyons and Tamara “Taj” Johnson of SWV, Rev. Timothy Wright, Leonard Williams of
The Williams Brothers, Anthony Watson of The Chi-Lites, Cherelle, Mickey Howard. Artra has also
sung 2 yrs in the Gospel Meets Symphony Choir, tried out for P-Diddy’s Da Band, America Idol and
Pepsi Give Me The Mike Challenge currently sings with The Columbus Chapter of GMWA. This
multi-talented Choreographer aspires to soar to higher levels spiritually, professionally and socially.
Her motto is “It doesn’t matter how you start out, but how you end up”.
SHELBY HOLDEN, Costumes
Shelby V. Holden is a former native of Palmetto, Louisiana. Her career in theatre spans the course of
over 15 years. Her experience in theatre also includes set construction for the University of Louisiana
and was a cast member of Ujima's Love and Street Corner Harmony 2006 and also performed in Ma
Rainey’s Black Bottom.
Brian has been a background singer for local recording artists, and has acted in numerous
productions. Along with acting and singing, he is a writer/poet who aspires to combine elements of
theater with poetry from Paul Laurence Dunbar, Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, and others. Brian
also performed in Ujima's Love and Street Corner Harmony and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.
CHARLES LEON DAVIS, Assistant Props Manager/Set Designer
Chuck Davis is a native of Columbus, Ohio. Chuck was introduced to the Ujima Theatre by Ron Pitts
who was directing a play for a local Christian Coalition Ministry where Chuck played the lead role in
Dinner at Tiffany's, Who Stole The Bling Bling. Chuck is an active member of the Refuge Temple
Church of Christ and a strong supporter of the Performing Arts.
DWIGHT CARTIER, Bass Guitar
Dwight started playing the Saxophone all through school and has played Bass for over twenty years.
He recorded with Bill Moss's Capsoul Studios and other Jazz, R & B and Gospel artists. He has
played behind Keith Staten, Israel Houghton, Marvin Sapp, Ben Tankard, Marshall Jones and many
others. He presently plays with the jazz group, Aftermath, T.P. Project, and All Nations Church.
WHO’S WHO CONTINUED
MARK CUMMINGS, Public Relations
Mark A. Cummings Sr. was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio. After graduating from MacomberWhitney High School in 1986 and serving three years in the United States Army he relocated to
Columbus, Ohio where he began pursuing his passion of entertaining. After self-publishing two books
of poetry, Secrets of a Man 2000, Intimate Moments 2003, and a novel, To Play or Not to Play 2005,
under the pseudonym Xavier Benoit for Blessed One Enterprises, Inc. / Urban Inspirational Books, he
decided to try his hand at acting.
After performing in such plays as: Those Sorry Saints, The Promise, and Could This be the One, he
fell in love with the stage. And for that very reason he joined the Ujima Theatre Company in 2006 to
perfect the craft he loves so much, while learning under the tutelage of Ron Pitts and other seasoned
actors. Mark is the husband of the former Dana Crews of Columbus and a father to their wonderful
children. He is also a passionate follower of Christ and attends International Christian Center in
Columbus, Ohio. His commercial and print work includes advertisements for: Ohio Health,
Nationwide Insurance, Ohio Travel & Tourism, and Bob Evans to name a few.
DWIGHT CARTIER, Bass Guitar
Dwight started playing the Saxophone all through school and has played Bass for over twenty years.
He recorded with Bill Moss's Capsoul Studios and other Jazz, R & B and Gospel artists. He has
played behind Keith Staten, Israel Houghton, Marvin Sapp, Ben Tankard, Marshall Jones and many
others.
He presently plays with the jazz group, Aftermath, T.P. Project, and All Nations Church.
UJIMA THEATRE’S PRODUCTIONS
LOVE AND STREET CORNER HARMONY
Written and directed by Ron Pitts, “Love and Street Corner
Harmony” is a fast-paced musical with familiar songs and
dancing reminiscent of an unforgettable doo-wop era, when
it seemed everybody wanted to be a superstar.
The setting takes place on any street corner in America
where music and dance was popular...where fun and good
times seem to be the only issue, not like all of the issues of
today. The story focuses on a time when young singing
groups and singers aspired to be great. It all comes together
on some street corner in America.
THE MEETING
Ron Pitts directs this production. The place - a
hotel suite overlooking the gritty streets of
Harlem, New York City. But this meeting
between Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X
(El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz), two giants of the
Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's, actually
took place only in the creative imagination of
playwright Jeff Stetson.
WHAT COLOR IS TROUBLE?
Ohio playwright Ron Pitts of Ujima Theatre directs this original production with music, song
and dance performed by area youth and young adults. The play weaves a story of
contemporary problems - gangs, addiction, racism and violence, as well as the discovery that
we can make a choice to prevail and discover hope, self-identity, forgiveness, trust and
responsibility. Pitts co-authored "What Color is Trouble" with Dr. Raymond Wise.