Feeling the Power of the "HIPS"

Last month, I sent out (and posted) a holiday update noting some of the projects that are coming on the horizon for both the blog and McGrath Educational Services. In spite of the company name, the business is involved in many more things than simply tutoring.

I had mentioned a couple new projects, but left out one of the more important ventures with the idea of holding the thought until April. However, after continued thought, I decided, why wait?

 

Here’s the backstory. Leslie Dupree is a gospel singer and actress – she is originally from Williamsburg, but now lives in Newport News. About seven years ago, she was a student in my technical writing class at Centura College. For our final project, the students were required to write a proposal – an honest assignment requiring 10-15 pages of effort to push a real or imagined business endeavor.

My advice to students was this -- if you’re going to make the effort to develop a proposal, make it something that you really want to do. After all, you can put the plan out “on the street.”

Well, Leslie took this to heart and presented a creditable proposal for a record company. To my amazement, soon after the assignment was completed, she found a financial backer from her proposal and recorded her first CD,”Full Circle,” quite a heroic testimony which used the power of gospel music to tell the story of one woman overcoming personal struggles and finding light on the other end. You can do the Google search – the CD is available through ITunes, Amazon and quite a few other outlets.

Leslie Dupree, writer and director
of the stage play "HIPS," which will
debut in Newport News on June 1.

I knew this venture was serious when learning that she had received permission from Anita Baker’s record company to cover one of Baker’s songs, because according to record execs, “you’re the only other person who can sing it!”

Others may know Leslie from her work in the starring role of Fluorine in the nationally touring stage play, “Chaos in the House.” When they brought the show to the historic Kimball Theatre in Colonial Williamsburg, people from the outside started hovering around the front door because the sound of the singing and laughter in the theatre was loud enough to draw people off the street. Eventually, the fire marshal had to come and stop letting people in because of crowd issues. Imagine, the first African-American based play to hit CW in over 30 years, and they ran out of seats!

Making a long story short, her Les D Records has now become Les D Entertainment, and Leslie’s latest endeavor is another combination of drama, song and dance, brought to the viewer with a hard dose of honesty which will be sure to make one laugh, cry, but most importantly, think. I am delighted that Leslie has asked me to help with the promotion of her new play, “HIPS, “as it prepares for its opening night on June 1^st. For today, however, I’ll let Leslie introduce her play:

"HIPS" is an unorthodox, multicultural, informative, raw stage play about how pop culture and men views Plus Size women. It gives you a personal peek into the horrific betrayal of Danielle (the main character) by her husband, friends, society and her own body! In addition, the story-line brings awareness to the elusive, incurable disease SARCOIDOSIS, which prevents her from controlling her weight! Thus, leaving her trapped in a shell that causes a variety of attacks!

The writer, Leslie L. Dupree is directing this production through her own company, Les D Entertainment! She is taking this brave opportunity to expose some very private issues that she currently is living with, while bringing awareness to SARCOIDOSIS! Leslie also wrote "HIPS" to give a voice to Plus Size women; letting them know that you still can be beautiful, sexy, alluring, self-confident, creative and successful, in a word coined by Leslie herself, "HIPS-O-LICIOUS"!

The show is riddled with drama, comedy, unforgettable dance routines, witty dialogue, sultry solos, a Broadway styled duet and scenes that will have you on the edge of your seats!

"HIPS" - The Stage play will debut Saturday, June 1, 2013 at 7 PM at The WOODSIDE THEATER, located on 13450 Woodside Lane in Newport News, Virginia. For those near the Peninsula region of Virginia, this is right off Ft. Eustis Blvd. and Exit 250 on Route 64.

Don't miss the opportunity to be a part of History in the Making!

I can already report that this will be much more than a one-night show. In fact, there is already enough buzz that the play will be made into an independent film – and this has been managed five months before opening night! Stay tuned for more updates.