B safe B Well B Love
"Oni Lasana Doin' Dunbar as 'Lias' Mother" is OLP's most popular program. This one-woman traveling production was the catalyst which carried Oni into the official world of storytelling.
In 1994, Oni studied Dunbar's life, poetry and performed with the Bob Jones Dance and Theater Ensemble of the Coatesville Cultural Society of Chester Co
"Oni Lasana Doin' Dunbar as 'Lias' Mother" is OLP's most popular program. This one-woman traveling production was the catalyst which carried Oni into the official world of storytelling.
In 1994, Oni studied Dunbar's life, poetry and performed with the Bob Jones Dance and Theater Ensemble of the Coatesville Cultural Society of Chester County Pennsylvania.
In 1996 Dr. Ruby Perkins of Cheyney University in Pennsylvania requested Oni to present for her English class.
This unique historical and highly theatrical sto'try (poetic storytelling) is an uplifting educational and entertaining experience. The play features the southern dialect spoken word poetry of the iconic poet & author, Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906).
Set during the 1800's on a plantation in Cross, So. Carolina, the home of Oni's paternal grandmother.
'Lias' Mother reveals the personal heartfelt experiences of an enslaved woman living on a southern plantation in America.
Elias, affectionately called 'Lias' by his mother, is a fictional character mentioned in Dunbar's most beloved and recited poem, In The Morning.
Oni Lasana brings Dunbar's African American dialect poems of joy and sorry, to life. Music, movement and a powerful delivery, is connected to an engaging monologue.
"Lias' Mother brings out the best in her co-actors, be they a youngster or an elder.
The finale culminates in a audience "rap-along" of Dunbar's most beloved standard English poem, Sympathy aka I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.
Oni Lasana arranged the poem to the hip hop music of Timbaland, giving Dunbar's classic poem an unforgettable modern twist.
MERCER MUSEUM 2017
"I appreciated Oni Lasana's seamless weaving of Paul Laurence Dunbar's poetry with her own storytelling narrative. Oni has created a feisty woman who speaks her mind!"
Ray Gray, Storyteller
Paul Laurence Dunbar's most loved and recited poem comes to life as Oni comforts her son Elias as only a mother can. With tender loving care, good advice and a little discipline.
* REPERTOIRE *
In The Morning
Possum
A Preference
When De Corn Pone's Hot
De Way T'ings Come
Keep A 'Pluggin' Away
A Coquette Conquered
My Sort O'Man
W
Paul Laurence Dunbar's most loved and recited poem comes to life as Oni comforts her son Elias as only a mother can. With tender loving care, good advice and a little discipline.
* REPERTOIRE *
In The Morning
Possum
A Preference
When De Corn Pone's Hot
De Way T'ings Come
Keep A 'Pluggin' Away
A Coquette Conquered
My Sort O'Man
When Dey 'Listed Colored Soldiers
Whistlin' Sam
When Malindy Sings
Philosophy
Angelina
De Critters' Dance
An Ante-Bellum Sermon
~ ~ ~
"Oni is the voice of Dunbar" Professor & Author Nikki Giovanni, Virginia Tech
"Many hearts were touched by your rendition of 'Lias' Mother."
Debbie Allen, Actress, Director & Co-producer of Amistad, LA, California
"I felt like I was in the cabin with you."
Audience member at African American Museum, Philadelphia
"A MUST SEE!...Moving, enriching and a great addition to any college campus program...call her now!"
Kim Poast, Community College of Denver, Woman Of Color Conference
RETIREMENT PARTY
"Thank you so much for coming to my retirement celebration and for sharing your special poetic skills to entertain me and my guest. As always, you were terrific!
Your Dunbar sketches are so special because they keep our rich cultural alive, in the hearts and memory of our people. Tuta Anana Tena, Hotep!
Fondly,
Carolyn L. Holmes, Ph.D.
Director of African and African-American Studies Department, Philadelphia Board of Education
Supervisor Prof. @ Drexel University, PA.
Featured at the 26th Annual National Black Storytelling Festival & Conference
"Follow The Drinking Gourd"
Celebrating Heroes &
Shero's of Freedom
November 2008,
Cincinnati, Ohio
* VENUES *
* VENUES *
Many more, schools, family reunions, libraries, senior centers, residencies, workshops & storytelling festivals.
March 1999
Dear Oni,
What a triumph! We actually had to turn fifty people away.
You were superb! The audience laughed and cried and laughed and got hungry and clapped and laughed some more. We all absolutely loved you and can't wait until you are able to schedule us again.
Paul Laurence Dunbar would be extremely proud to see this daughter of the north, as he himself was a son of the north, taking up his voice to keep the hope, joy and dignity of a people now gone alive. You made us all so very proud, Oni, to be children of the sun.
Your sister in poetry, Nikki Giovanni
Tenured Professor of English, Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg, Virginia
Mercer Museum, Pennsylvania
Paul Laurence Dunbar's most recited & loved southern dialect poem.
'Lias' Mother gives out higher educational life lessons.
Elias comes in all shapes, sizes and ages!
The Foster and Muriel McCarl Coverlet Gallery, Latrobe, Pennsylvania 2016
SENIORS LOVE 'LIAS' MOTHER
Pennsylvania 2016
ONI LASANA DOIN' DUNBAR AS 'LIAS' MOTHER
A engaging one woman theatrical production mixes the pathos and humor of Paul Laurence Dunbar's most loved dialect poems. A literary and historian's delight, it is a highly interactive spoken word experience.
Set after the Civil War in the 1800's, Oni Lasana Doin' Dunbar as 'Lias' Mother is a unforgettable heartfelt journey in American History, Literature and Music.
Storytelling ~ Theater ~ Language Art - Music ~ History ~ Wellness
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Tobago, West Indies Voice / Text / Messenger 484.885.0153
© 2021 Oni Lasana Productions
All Rights Reserved
"iF UNIQUE IS WHAT YOU SEEK"
~ THANKS FOR VISITING ~