Reshanda Henderson is not one to shy away from sharing some of her experiences in life that has been the fuel for her plays. But with her most recent thrilling production, “The Mr. The Mrs. and The Lover”, it is only a wonder just how much of these experiences could have been the creative force behind the many highly unexpected plots and issues encompassing the union of marriage that leaves the audience on the edge of their seats. The play, starring Tiffany Torrence-Davis from The Bad Girls Club (Season 3) also boasts a diverse cast full of reality show fresh faces that put on a stellar performance. Davis, who states she identifies with the “spunkiness” of her character, also reveals that she was “amazed” with the writing and the depths of the characters.
Mrs. Henderson reveals the triangles of marriage and love is tested beyond the borders of despair.
LM: You have been coined as “The Queen of Urban Theater”…Tell me how you got started into theater and why playwriting?
RH: When I was younger when I was 9 years old. When I had bad experiences, I just started writing everything down. That was my way out of everything coming out. It was a healing process for me. I decided to put it on stage and let people know that you can come out of whatever you’ve been through. Writing was an outlet. My connection with the stage is I love making people laugh. I love people coming together and coming out. I love the stage presence the music the acting its totally different from film. You get that immediate response back from theater.
LM: About the play, “The Mr. The Mrs. and the Lover”, what was the inspiration behind this production?
RH: I have a heart for marriage. I got married at a young age at 18 and had some tough experiences and in that I learned…you have to be careful in that it is sacred. You have to work through some things. In the play there are three marriages where there is a lot to be tested and in the end love conquers all. In everything that we do there are reasons why we do the things that we do. The play has a lot of twists and turns and unexpectedness that people just would not expect.
LM: The cast seems to be a great mix from reality stars to local theater actors how did you garner such a diverse cast?
RH: I decided to get people that would draw attention and the reality shows have been getting a lot of attention. With this cast, I watched a lot of reality shows and saw that theater in them.
LM: What have been some challenges that you have come across as a black playwright?
RH: One of the main challenges was finding it hard for people to support and believe in your vision. It is so much that is going on it is hard to get people to come out support. I’m not one that writes something and is quick to throw it out there. I work really hard and find it hard that our people cannot support each other esp. when we are trying to do something positive. Chicago is my hometown and the hardest to get people to support you, but when it comes to Chicago I can’t grasp it to save my life why we can’t support each other. It’s so much talent here in Chicago but the support is terrible.
LM: What would be some tips for those who are interested in pursuing a dream or career in playwriting?
RH: The one thing that I can say is that you really work hard in what you believe. Even when it looks like it doesn’t look like it isn’t going anywhere. I know deep down inside that this is what I was put on this earth to do. You can give up and keep going and I stand on that. When a show doesn’t sell out do I quit? No I keep going because this wouldn’t be my calling if it weren’t. And I keep God first and foremost in everything that I do.
LM: What is up coming for you in t?
RH: Getting ready to do a mini tour…taking the play (The Mr., the Mrs. & The Lover) to different areas in Chicago (upcoming…Kennedy King College). And then take it to different cities. Really trying to focus on Chicago in hopes that they are open minded in supporting.
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