The Art of Revolution Spotlight: Genevieve VenJohnson
Now is a time for radical change.
At Uprising Theater, we believe that art is a pillar of revolution. Inherently interactive, it forces society to engage with the perspectives of individual communities. From ten-story murals to fashion, to photography, to dance, art elevates the voice of the people. As a Palestinian American theater company, our mission has always been to amplify the voices of marginalized communities seeking social justice. As our society faces this exciting movement, we feel it imperative to play a role in passing the mic to Black voices.
Meet the Artist
To be an artist, Genevieve VenJohnson seized every opportunity that came her way. As a foreign exchange student in high school, she lucked into singing on T.V. while studying in Bolivia. It kicked off an unexpected ride as an expat teenage pop star, -- complete with paparazzi. Having wide tastes in music, she earned a BFA in Musical Theatre and studied Bel Canto singing in NYC, simultaneously performing in punk/funk and alternative bands. She became a featured vocalist with the Lionel Hampton Jazz Orchestra, playing venues like Rockefeller Center's Rainbow Room, and Fairmont's Blue Room, in New Orleans. The post-graduate study earned her an MFA in Acting from FSU /Asolo Conservatory.
A passion for ensemble acting brought her to Chicago, where for more than twenty-five years, she's straddled professional performing arts and live corporate training. Acting in boardrooms has been a surprising way to develop as an artist. In these settings where humans grow in groups, she's a role-player/ coach/ facilitator of high impact, interactive sessions. She's been engaged in long-term partnerships with global brands that invite culture change through their people's development.
Genevieve's recent stage appearances were U.S. premieres of contemporary British plays: Hopelessly Devoted, at Piven Theatre, and dirty butterfly; with The Blind Owl/Halcyon Theatre. Her Chicago stage work includes productions with Steppenwolf Theatre, Broadway In Chicago, Goodman Theatre, Chicago Children's Theatre, Court Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare, Ravinia Festival Theatre, and Lifeline Theatre. She's played regionally and in European tours of Jesus Christ Superstar. Television roles include Proven Innocent/ FoxTV, Chicago Justice/ NBC Universal, and Low Winter Sun/ AMC. Recent feature films: The Windigo, and Knives and Skin In free time she watches stand-up comics, gets physical, and beautifies the historic apartment she shares with her partner, and a Siamese cat.
Representation: Paonessa Talent Agency Website: Gentlebee.buzz
Genevieve VenJohnson as Amelia in Halcyon Theatre and The Blind Owl's co-production of dirty butterfly. Photographer: Emily Williams
The Art
Behind the Art
"The thing about hanging on the planet is this: at a certain point, you must reckon with the cycles and the repetitive nature of the human condition. Even the radical moments we call, "revolutions," can't escape the deja vu dizziness of the word in its origin.
I was here and cognizant during the civil rights movement of the '60s and early '70s. As a little girl, parts of my worldview were framed by television images of violence enacted upon protesters who looked like me. Yet, I was a very fortunate one.
Bud, Not Buddy: Cedric Young (Herman Calloway) and Genevieve VenJohnson (Miss Thomas)
Photographer: Charles Osgood
The actual world I inhabited was a childhood of love, security, community, financial stability, education, arts, and culture. My family legacy: Builders of opportunity and access. My childhood was designed for me to live out the future space of 'merit-based advancements' on those, 'level playing fields,' we were raised to expect. Despite understanding I'd need to work 'twice as hard...', I mostly refused to believe that racism could stop me.
The character, Beverly Baptiste, is drawn with those same expectations of living out her full and fabulous life in such a world. Her drive and determination are unrelenting, and by no means is she interested in exiting the stage.
Like Beverly in this excerpt from REAL TALK with AUNTIE B, by playwright Derek Lee McPhatter, the exhaustion of "The Struggle" is an actual thing and a rant is truly earned when you've been spun through decades of revolutions, with still so far to go.
With this piece, I pay tribute to the exceptional black women who continually inspire me with their unstoppable magic.
I appreciate your attention.
Genevieve
REAL TALK WITH AUNTIE B, by Derek Lee McPhatter, is a satirical take on modern-day American ambition, with social media as both a help and a hindrance to responsible collective action.
Tweet by tweet and post by post, the characters in this comedy strive to make the best of a dizzying digital media landscape and ever-shifting standards of moral decency.
This comedy was commissioned and workshopped by Chicago Dramatists, where Derek is currently a resident playwright. Check out his work at The New Play Exchange.
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The Art of Revolution
Spotlight Series
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This is only the beginning.
The goal of The Art of Revolution Series is to commission at least ten Black female and non-binary artists to amplify their rich artistic contributions in the medium of their choosing.
Throughout July, we will be introducing you to the selected artists and showcasing their work. We encourage you to like, subscribe, follow and share their work.
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Your support enables us to continue our mission: using art to amplify the voices of marginalized groups. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support our ongoing work. Any amount will make an impact. Donations can be made through our GoFundMe Charity Page or via PayPal. Please note/select #BlackArtMatters.