Time2Inspire Welcomes the Cast of "Good or Bad Hair - The New Class"

Welcome back to the Arts in Snellville Blog!  

We are Lonnie and Alisa Boykin, owners of . This weekend there was a host of events starting with our Fall Open House registration.  Many new aspiring faces signed up for classes. 

This week is the official first week of Fall classes!!  Come and learn theory as you progress mentally and physically as an artist in: Hip Hop, Contemporary, Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Vocals, Piano, Violin, Modeling, Acting, or Music Production / Song Writing. 

Lonnie

We also had our Dance Director, Rob Myers and the very talented Tina Fears hosting an audition in the Time2Inspire Studios. 

Alisa

Rob, we are so excited that you are working with a project like this.  Can you share with everyone your background with the arts and how are you involved with this project?

Rob

I first got into the performing arts at the age of 10. My first class was an African Dance Class and I was amazed at the level of intensity and spirit that was present in that class. I started my own dance company at the age of 11. We traveled locally and toured a bit as well. I trained pre-professional in high school and college with a background in Jazz, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Liturgical, Dance Improvisation and Afro-Caribbean, but I dabble in some of everything.

Lonnie

Tina, what is your background in the arts?

Tina

I am a product of a creative and inventive environment. Entertainment and I had a bond from early on. My ability to excel and create, as it pertains to all aspects of performing arts, has always been my niche. I'm a native of Los Angeles, California, my family eventually relocated to Atlanta, GA, where my company, “Stage Ready”, is headquartered. I have been blessed to have created opportunities in the field of professional cheerleading/dance, musical theatre, artist development, vocal performance, as well as the corporate sector. After discovering a need for well trained and polished entertainers, I launched Stage Ready in 2005.  Additional info is available at www.stageready.net

Alisa

Tina, tell us what the name of this project is and what it’s about?

Tina

The project is titled “Good or Bad Hair - The New Class”. We are striving to revitalize quality musical theatre with a focus on traditional dance forms and vocal performance. Tina Fears (Creative Director) and Rob Myers (Lead Choreographer) have joined forces to present “Good and Bad Hair- The New Class”! This is an updated adaptation of the historic dance number from Spike Lee's 1988 film- School Daze. This scene is the battle between The Jiggaboo's and The Wannabee's. These 20 ladies battle over the quality of their hair, social status, complexion of their skin and, of course - men. Rob and I have given the scene a modern twist in order to address the issues first presented in 1988, and the relevance they still have in 2012! The project will be presented in a short film format and will potentially be used during the opening and intermission of live productions, hair shows throughout Atlanta and featured on various social media outlets.

Lonnie

Tina, what are you looking for in casting?

Tina

We are casting female talent who appear to be college-aged. The ladies should have the ability to dance, sing and act. We are truly looking for triple threat talent. In order to be authentic in visual presentation, our casting calls for ladies with natural hair (without chemical) and hair with chemicals and extensions. Most importantly, we are looking for talent who are passionate about the arts and overcoming the hair struggles women of color face.

Alisa

Rob, can you tell us what are the backgrounds of the dancers that you have cast and where did they come from?

Rob

Our dancers have uniquely diverse backgrounds. We have dancers from New York, Florida, the Carolinas, Overseas, Islanders, and of course locals. The vast array of geographical backgrounds brings a wide variety of dance backgrounds as well.  This project is not only for great dancers, singers, and actresses, but it is also imperative that we cast women with dynamic personal stories to tell. I find that our personal stories are what drive our unique artistic expressions. No matter how similar we may be in style or technique, it is our individual life story that resonates when we perform.

Lonnie

This is such a prevalent social issue that will certainly send out a message to our society.  Tell us what is your expected outcome of this project?

Tina

Our expectations are extremely high for Good or Bad Hair! We are approaching the 25th Anniversary of School Daze in 2013. We are excited about an opportunity to pay homage to Spike Lee's work. We know the original film launched the careers of several actors, and we are hoping this piece will serve as a spring board for all of the talent involved. It would be great to build on the story of “Good or Bad Hair - The New Class”, and take it to the stage in the near future! 

Alisa

This movie was certainly a classic and your innovative idea to reenact a lifestyle is still reflective of issues that still exist about beauty with our young women.  There is no doubt that this will soon become a major production. Are there other key people that you would like to name that are working with you on this project?

Tina

Rob Myers is our Lead Choreographer. Rob and I have been working together for several years and we often overlap in "titles". He will be contributing a great deal on the creative direction side, as I will dabble in choreography a bit. Katie Smith is a budding young filmmaker who will be shooting and editing the project for us. She is assembling a dynamic team of camera operators, production assistants, and lighting techs in order to make sure we end up with the best product possible.

Lonnie

Rob, as the Lead Choreographer, what is this industry looking for and what do you feel that you have to offer with your vision?

Rob

This industry is ever-changing, which is why I fit perfectly for it. I am knowledgeable about the history of success and failure in the industry, but I’m also aware of the shift that is happening in the industry. One of my major attributes that has contributed to my success is my ability to listen more than I speak.  You have to watch and be very observant, because this industry can chew you up and spit you out in an instant. Some key points that will never get old are: Be unique. Be consistent. Be persistent, yet not arrogant and badgering. Be timely and cordial at all times. Be accommodating, but firm. Be flexible, not flaky. Be passionate and well learned.

Alisa

Tina, what can the girls gain from this opportunity that you are offering?

Tina

Good or Bad Hair -The New Class is a performers dream. This is a chance to sharpen dance, vocal and acting skills while learning from industry professionals. The cast will be part of a historic adaptation of a classic film. A project like this is what casting directors look for when they review resumes, and most importantly this project will give them a chance to be ambassadors for sisterly love and appreciation for each other’s differences.

Alisa

Well Tina, we are certainly looking forward to great things with this project.  I am sure that the legendary Spike Lee will be proud of your work and we are honored to be a sponsoring studio for the development of your project.  Now Rob, before you go, can you share what are the actual benefits from attending a school of arts?

Rob

One of the major benefits of going to a school of arts is that there isn’t as much pressure to fit in. As a pre-teen and adolescent, peer acceptance and expression is very important, and typically at performing arts schools, it’s “in” to be “out”; which means that it’s cool and accepted to be different - it’s almost expected.

Lonnie

Tell us why Snellville is a great place for the arts?

Rob

Snellville is a great place for the arts because they fall below the radar.  The small-town feel of Snellville allows its residents to show patronage to local-owned businesses and it develops an exemplary level of pride in your city.  The arts arena is overly-saturated with fly-by-night studios that promise many things, but lack the foundational tools to provide said services. Snellville doesn’t have that same challenge. Due to Snellville being a portal to surrounding cities like: Stone Mountain, Grayson, Loganville and Lilburn, there is no room for shady business, knowing that a consumer can go to a neighboring city and receive service. There are great people right in Snellville who are deserving of the same artistic amenities that Atlanta boasts , but it would be more beneficial to not have to trek 30 to 45 minutes to the Midtown area to take decent arts classes.

Alisa

Thank you Tina and Rob, this has been very enlightening and we know that you will help to make Snellville apart of a thriving industry. 

Lonnie

Now Rob as we conclude, as the Dance Director of Time2Inspire School of Arts, what are your goals to advance young people in the arts?

Rob

As Dance Director for Time2Inspire, my main priority this season will be to get back to the basics. I definitely want to address the new trends in popular forms of dance, but it has to be aligned with the teachings of the more classical techniques and theories of dance. I think if we supply our young people with a broader scope and depth of what dance is and can do for someone, we will have created more evolved people - not just good dancers. Good dancers come a dime a dozen. What we seek at Time2Inspire are agents of change and torch runners. Let’s build up a new breed of young people who are respectful of their predecessors and are inspiring new dancers to hone in on their crafts, as well.

Alisa

On behalf of Arts in Snellville, thank you both again, for taking the time to make a positive difference in the lives of youth in the arts.