WEEK NINE with guest Dr. Karen Turner Ward, a woman who does it ALL and does it WELL!

ACT: a new podcast series with host Dawn A. Westbrook about the craft of acting, the art of directing and embracing the process

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Dr. Karen Turner Ward and I met back in 1983. She was a force to be reckoned with back then and her energy and creativity still abounds. She adds theatrical expertise, musical prowess, and a kind heart to every production she touches and every person she meets. She has toured nationally with shows such as Mama Dee's Girls that she not only wrote but share the stage with the lovely Jennifer Holliday (who she has also written songs for under the non de plume K.T. Price!) When she sent me some of her songs, I literally got goosebumps within the first 4 measures listening to a song called "A Love To Call My Own." Karen has chaired the theatre department at Hampton University for over 37 years, a private historically black university that was founded in 1868 by both black and white leaders of the American Missionary Association after the American Civil War. She is a published author, composer, actress, director, producer, has won numerous awards, chaired committees on leadership and strategic planning. She has done all of this while playing her most important role, of single mother to her beautiful daughter, Jade who has followed in her Mama's footsteps and is making her mark in the world as an actress (she is beautiful), director and producer working with such greats as Troy Rowland Studios in LA. On top of chairing the theatre department at Hampton University, Dr. Karen (as I call her) is in charge of all special events and ceremonies at the university where she has met President Obama and the late Honorable John Lewis. I am honored that she said yes to talking with me and I hope you enjoy her as much as I did. WOW...love this lady!