Doin' Dunbar as 'Lias' Mother

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"Oni Lasana Doin' Dunbar as 'Lias' Mother" is OLP's most popular program. It was this program which began Oni's journey into the world of storytelling. A unique historical and highly theatrical sto'try (poetic storytelling) educational and entertaining experience, it 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 is a highly interactive storytelling play.

It reveals the personal heartfelt experiences of a woman living on a southern  plantation in America.  

Elias, or 'Lias for short, is a fictional character mentioned in Dunbar's most beloved and recited poem, In The Morning.  

Oni Lasana brings the poems to life, with music, movement and a simple elegant delivery of engaging monologue.  

Since 1994, Oni studied Dunbar's life, poetry and performs with the Bob Jones Dance and Theater Ensemble of the Coatesville Cultural Society of Chester County Pennsylvania.

Some times, 'Lias' Mother travels with her young son, most times she discovers 'Lias sleeping in the audience. "Lias' Mother brings out the best in her co-actor, be they a youngster or an elder. 

The finale of "Oni Lasana Doin' Dunbar as 'Lias' Mother" 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 a modern unforgettable 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 

ONI LASANA DOIN' DUNBAR 

AS 'LIAS' MOTHER

Featured at the 26th Annual National Black Storytelling Festival & Conference 

"Follow The Drinking Gourd"

Celebrating Heroes & Shero's of Freedom

November 2008, 

Cincinnati, Ohio

PATCHWORK, a storytelling guild's TELLABRATION in 2008 & 1999

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. 

* VENUES  *

• Foster and Muriel McCarl Coverlet Gallery, History Dinner Theater, Latrobe, PA
• Lincoln University, PA
• Cheyney University, PA
• Virginia Tech University, VA
• Tobago Heritage Festival
• Dunbar House - Dayton, OH
• Philadelphia Museum of Art
• Mercer Museum of Doylestown, PA
• Diego Martin Library of Trinidad
• East Stroudsburg University, PA
• Historic Johnson House, Philadelphia, PA
• Woman Conference, Community College of Denver, Colorado
• Retirement Party - African American Museum of Philadelphia
• Freedom Village Sr. Living, Brandywine, PA
• Bucks County Free Libraries, Pennsylvania  
• Manassas Park City Schools, Virginia
• DoDD Schools in Heidelberg, Hamburg, Kaiserslautern, Würzburg, Amburg, GERMANY
• People's Light & Theater Co, Malvern PA
• Indianola School District, Mississippi
• Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Los Angeles
• West Chester Historical Society & Museum

Many more, schools, family reunions, libraries, senior centers, residencies, workshops & storytelling festivals.

The Foster and Muriel McCarl Coverlet Gallery, Latrobe, Pennsylvania 2016

Elias comes in all shapes, sizes and ages!

Loves 'Lias' Mother as much as she loves them!

 'LIAS' MOTHER LOVES SENIORS

Pennsylvania 2016