Black Gospel Play Association

We have been bombarded by requests to extend the deadline for the contest.  Our board of directors has agreed to extend the competition until May 10, 2008.  If you have not already entered, click on the competition page and enter.

We are seeking the best written inspirational stage plays around the country.  There is a grand prize winner and national exposure for your play if you are selected as a winner.  Please check the competition page for more details.  Also, we have a special treat...an exclusive interview with one of the country's fastest rising urban playwrights, Nina Foxx.

Nina's Next                                   by Wanda Clay

The Black Gospel Play Association is committed to showcasing the very best talent around.  This month is no different.

 

Recently, we had the splendid occasion to chat with San Antonio based best-selling author and playwright, Nina Foxx.  Nina recently spawned her pulsating novel, Marrying Up into a full scale stage production.                                                                                              Nina Foxx

 

Marrying Up debuted in San Antonio on February 2, 2008 at the Jo Long Theatre to a packed house.  The play assembled an all star cast including R & B turned gospel great, Tony Terry and Gary “Lil G” Jenkins from the R & B group Silk. 

 

Marrying Up has been on our radar for quite some time.  Originally slated to begin rehearsals in Nashville, the production took another leap and landed on a much grander scale-- Foxx Tales Productions was launched and the rest is history.  We caught up with an exuberant Nina Foxx to discuss her work:

 

BGPA: Tell us a little about your background.

Nina: I'm from New York originally but now live In Texas.  I'm completing an MFA in Creative Writing but also have a Ph.D. and MS in I/O Psychology. 

 

BGPA: What was the very first story you wrote?

Nina: The First Christmas.  I was in middle school and it was about the last Christmas before my mother passed away.  I submitted it to Catholic Digest for publication.  However,  It was rejected. 

 

BGPA: Tell us a little about Marrying Up.

Nina: Well, Marrying Up was two books ago.  It has been compared to Pride and Prejudice and explores our family values, etc.  It was not really a Christian book, although the family it’s about is very Christian.  When I wrote the play, it just developed into a piece with a strong Christian/Gospel theme.  It was there all along and had to come out, I guess.

 

BGPA: When did you have the idea of developing Marrying Up, (the book) into Marrying Up (the play.)

Nina:  Originally, it was optioned by someone else.  Thy made a mess of it and I totally didn't like what they did.  After Melinda Doolittle (the original PARIS MONTAGUE) went to American Idol, I kept being led to the idea of doing it myself.  I finally couldn't avoid it anymore and I love the result.

 

BGPA: Tell us about your upcoming schedule for Marrying Up.

Nina:  We had a premiere in San Antonio and I am now further developing the script.  I have several calls from promoters that my manager is exploring, and I’m looking at a bigger tour after the summer, when the DVD is ready.  We're scheduling now.  I'll keep you posted. 

 

BGPA:  Thanks Nina and we wish you all the success in the world.

Nina:  Thank you.

 

For further information about Nina and her latest projects check out:  www.ninafoxx.com and www.myspace.com/fosstaleproductions

 

 

    

                     Marrying Up                              

In the search for a husband, what's a woman to do? Make sure she marries up! At least that's the motto of Paris Montague and her meddling mother. Paris has got it all – beauty, brains and a fine man on her arm. There's just one problem – he's not the "caliber" of man she was looking for.

Tyson is content being Paris' sexy secret lover. He's a struggling brother chasing a dream and if Paris can just hang on long enough he'll prove he's worthy of her hand in marriage. But Tyson is about to face some stiff competition from the sexy, charismatic – and very rich Jabari Nolan. He's out to show Paris that when it comes to love, the best thing a woman can do is marry up.

Come experience one woman's discovery how all that glitters isn't gold and when it comes to matters of the heart, love has everything to do with it…

 

 

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