PLAYS
THE TRUTH
Directors: Courtney Baker-Oliver
writer: Steven A.Butler, Jr.
Genre: Musical
THE TRUTH seeks to challenge the status quo and asserts that an honest approach to accepting one’s sexual preference can be supported by a community that refuses to embrace homophobia and stigma. A family play, though it deals with a controversial topic, THE TRUTH introduces audiences to the Suttons. Olivia Sutton, a forty-five year-old Christian mother of two is facing the empty nest syndrome as her two children plan lives of their own. Olivia's younger child is 18 year-old Chris, a senior in high school and a local football hero. Her daughter, Tiffany has just finished graduate school and the family has gathered for her homecoming as the play begins. Tiffany's new boyfriend, Donnie Harrison, a pro athlete turned physical therapist accompanies her on the trip. As the play opens, overprotective Olivia and her family, (which includes her sister, "Aunt" Angie, and her brother-in-law Milton) are all questions about Tiffany's new beau.
ALL THAT GLITTERS
Directors: Courtney Baker-Oliver
Writer: Steven A.Butler, Jr.
Genre: Musical
About “ALL THAT GLITTERS…”
“All That Glitters” is a new musical about ‘Precious’, a beloved twenty-first century girl group (‘a la Destiny’s Child) who faces an unimaginable test when their lead singer is tragically murdered by a deranged fan. The experience tests the power of the surviving members’ faith and ultimately leads them to trade their secular shoes in-for gospel ones.
It is also the story of the struggle between core Christian values and the allure of fame and fortune. This is NOT ‘Dreamgirls.’ It is a story ripped from today’s headlines that begs the question ‘does the “sex sells” mantra leave today’s performers at risk-not only at the hands of the paparazzi who chase them, but also to those determined to reach beyond the velvet ropes to possess the star they read about in magazines?’ And how far should sex appeal go? Should young performers compromise the values they’ve been taught at home in an effort to compete in a market that is more and more about hyper-sexuality and less and less about talent?
BLACK LIVES MATTER
Directors: Courtney Baker-Oliver
Writer: Steven A.Butler, Jr.
Genre: Family
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CHOCOLATE COVERED ANTS
Directors: Courtney Baker-Oliver
Screenwriter: Steven A.Butler, Jr.
Genre: Thriller
Dr. Adrienne Taylor is a professor of mental health at the fictitious Farrington Women’s College. She’s spent three years researching the plight of the African American woman, a journey that has brought her in direct contact with women from all over the United States. These women come from various social and economic statuses and range from the self made millionaires to those whose survival depends on government welfare. Chocolate Covered Ants chronicles the final leg of her research--- and examination of the African American male to determine what effects if any they played on the mental, social and physical survival of the African American female.
After an intense search, Dr. Taylor I has invited a select group of men from around the country to take part in this research. They are her subjects, her Chocolate Covered Ants. Some have come of their own accord; others by legal obligations, and a few by promises of compensation.
VEILS
Directors: Courtney Baker-Oliver
Writer: Steven A.Butler, Jr.
Genre: Drama
Much has been written about the men and boys lost in both the Civil Rights and Black Lives Matter movements. Unexplored, however are the stories of the women whose lives are affected by these tragedies---the women who wear the "Veils." From Viola Luizzo to Sabrina Fulton (mother of Trayvon Martin), six talented women portray multiple characters in a story crafted by Arena Stage Playwright's Arena Playwriting Fellow Steven A. Butler, Jr. and Co-writer/Director Courtney Baker-Oliver.
