Ereatha STAR McCullough hails from the Windy City of Chicago. She proclaims that the Performing Arts are the wind beneath her wings. Soaring high, the soulful singer, actor, writer and director believes that with God, all things are possible. From an early age Ereatha knew that she would one day reach S T A R status; Spiritual Trained, Anointed and Righteous. “This acronym keeps me grounded” she says.
It all began growing up in the Baptist Church singing in the choir. The joys of singing grew into passion and not only did she enjoy what she did but it was even a greater blessing to know that others were blessed by her gift. By this time she pursued acting and from her first role as the Ghost of Christmas Past in the 5th grade to the early 90’s with roles like Lady in Yellow in the play “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Was Enuff,” and she hasn’t stopped. Beyond a “triple threat,” STAR has added writing and directing to her repertoire. Writing is empowering, thus far she has written original songs, poetry, spoken word, skits and one act plays. Her directing credits include God’s Trombones, Colored Girls, Amen Corner, Big Mama’s Café (original work) and currently “The Delicate Flower“. Soaring higher and higher, Ereatha says “The Best Is Yet To Come!” Ase` (ah’shay meaning it is so; in agreement with).
THE HEAT: Well, Ms. STAR, the date is set and the public is responding. Is “The Delicate Flower” ready to wow the audience?
MCCOLLOUGH: Yes mam we are. We really are. We’re actually living what you’re going to see. Words can not express how amazing words can lift off a script and you find yourself living them. This is not a story that was made up, it’s actually about the life of the writer and producer. This play depicts how we have to look our circumstances in the face and find the strength to just walk through them. You can’t stop functioning because certain things happen, you just have to walk through it.Yes, we’re ready!
THE HEAT: What has been one of the most challenging feat to pull off directing “The Delicate Flower”?
MCCOLLOUGH: I would say because it’s based on a true story. The other pieces I’ve directed were stories we know about. But to bring the visionaries to stage that are comparable to what she actually went through in her own life, has been challenging, but…I I believe I made it happen. (she smiles)
THE HEAT: As the director of “The Delicate Flower” because it deals with the emotional roller coaster of how life can go up and down. Did you see yourself in any of the characters? If so, which one?
MCCOLLOUGH: Yes Mam! Every last one of them. It was challenging because I found myself going through some of the things I was directing. That made it all seem so surreal. I was like, “Are you serious”? (she laughs briskly) I was like hold up, “these things are for real happening to me”! I never saw myself in the characters until I actually went home one day and found myself living what was transforming on stage.
THE HEAT: Which character in “The Delicate Flower” have you enjoyed most directing?
MCCOLLOUGH: Because it’s the whole idea of all these characters being one person, I equally cared for every last one of them because I saw them all to be one person. You see the characteristics of one person. Whatever comes in your life, you respond to it differently. The different flowers in “The Delicate Flower” are the alter egos of one person. In all different situations you don’t have the same personality responses, that’s what “The Delicate Flower” is all about.
THE HEAT: In retrospect to “The Delicate Flower” being an answer to “For Colored Girls” what’s your take on that balance?
MCCOLLOUGH: Well, you know Nik, I heard them say that but I wouldn’t necessarily say that it’s an answer to “For Colored Girls” the stage play. My first professional acting role was “Lady In Yellow” in “For Colored Girls” the play. I think “The Delicate Flower” is a more softer, more self searching piece than “For Colored Girls”. I think it’s a little more on the spiritual level than “For Colored Girls”. I don’t know if I’d say an answer to “For Colored Girls”. Perry did a very different thing in the movie than what the play was all about. I think he kind of stretched out the characters and made them so sad. But in “The Delicate Flower”, you will see the healing way before the end, as was done with the movie, “For Colored Girls”.
THE HEAT: Has this directing project been difficult from others you’ve directed?
MCCOLLOUGH: I wouldn’t want to use the word difficult. I actually found it to be more fulfilling and liberating.
THE HEAT: If you had one wish to come true at this particular moment in time, what would it be?
MCCOLLOUGH: It has certainly changed from the last time I was asked this question, but I would have to say, to do what it is I have been created to do and do it well!
THE HEAT: What are you hoping the audience will leave with after seeing your work on stage?
MCCOLLOUGH: My hope is that people WILL face the things that they have been hiding and allow themselves to heal from them and to see them as opportunities opposed to adversities. To see them as possibilities. To see their circumstances as more defining for themselves to know that it’s your own personal journey. You don’t have to be like someone else. To see themselves as the way God created them to be. We are just the way we are suppose to be, the beautiful creature God created.
THE HEAT: Eretha STAR McCullough, Ms. Director and Actress, thank you for taking the time out, of what I know is your busy schedule with only days left until the curtain goes up, to sit down and chit chat with “The Heat”.
MCCOLLOUGH: I appreciate you Nik and The Heat family for all you’re doing to get the word out about “The Delicate Flower”. I was actually a little hesitative to do this interview right now with circumstances that are happening right now in my life..(she giggles) But as I’ve said, you have to face them, and walk through them. So thank you Nik and “The Heat Magazine” for allowing “The Delicate Flower” to be introduced to your audience. I hope that ALL your readers come out On November 19th two shows and November 20th two shows, to The 14th Street Playhouse in Atlanta, and witness this awesomely great production for themselves. They will not be disappointed at ALL!
I can’t wait!
Much Love! One Love!
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