2015-2016 Scholarship Reviewers
Anthony Bean grew up in New Orleans’ Seventh Ward. Words have long been a passion for Anthony Bean. While attending John McDonogh High School, he founded the Ethiopian Theater with a group of students in the drama club. He moved to Los Angeles in 1985 and continued working with what had now become a professional theater company.
Upon returning to New Orleans, Bean opened the Anthony Bean Community Theater and Acting School in a former school building of St. Matthew United Church of Christ on Carrollton Avenue. It has produced noteworthy shows like the critically acclaimed comedy "Steal Away," Regina King's story about ladies of the Negro Women's Organization for Youth Education who find inventive ways of sending girls to college; "Good Night, Irene" starring Grammy-winning blues artist and actor Chris Thomas King; and "Simply Irma," a musical drama about the life and times of the music queen of New Orleans, Irma Thomas, who also starred as herself.
Anthony Bean is multi-faceted as he boasts a full professional portfolio including an ABCT clothing line, youth theater, after-school program, adult acting classes, and video DVD Productions. Bean also operates a summer day camp, in conjunction with the New Orleans Recreation Department. Anthony Bean Theater buys St, Raymond Catholic Church, February 2016. Pending school board approval, Bean also hopes to open a Creative Arts Academy for middle school students.
Anthony Bean and his company have received numerous awards and recognition throughout its 13 years of existence in the New Orleans area. Awards includes Anthony Bean's Day in New Orleans by the New Orleans City Council. 2012 Trailblazer Award at the Southern Black Theatre Festival. More than 20 Ambie Awards and 15 Big Easy Awards for Theater excellence. In 2010 received the Community Arts Award by the New Orleans Arts Council and Data Newsweekly Trail Blazer Award. If you seen New Orleans youth in the movies and commercial recently, you can bet most of them came out of the Anthony Bean Community Theater and Acting School.
While drawing from a regional and national talent pool, The Anthony Bean Community Theater remains committed to a strong local presence and are forging partnerships with local organizations that are working to reach beyond the barriers of race, class, gender, and sexual orientation.
Upon returning to New Orleans, Bean opened the Anthony Bean Community Theater and Acting School in a former school building of St. Matthew United Church of Christ on Carrollton Avenue. It has produced noteworthy shows like the critically acclaimed comedy "Steal Away," Regina King's story about ladies of the Negro Women's Organization for Youth Education who find inventive ways of sending girls to college; "Good Night, Irene" starring Grammy-winning blues artist and actor Chris Thomas King; and "Simply Irma," a musical drama about the life and times of the music queen of New Orleans, Irma Thomas, who also starred as herself.
Anthony Bean is multi-faceted as he boasts a full professional portfolio including an ABCT clothing line, youth theater, after-school program, adult acting classes, and video DVD Productions. Bean also operates a summer day camp, in conjunction with the New Orleans Recreation Department. Anthony Bean Theater buys St, Raymond Catholic Church, February 2016. Pending school board approval, Bean also hopes to open a Creative Arts Academy for middle school students.
Anthony Bean and his company have received numerous awards and recognition throughout its 13 years of existence in the New Orleans area. Awards includes Anthony Bean's Day in New Orleans by the New Orleans City Council. 2012 Trailblazer Award at the Southern Black Theatre Festival. More than 20 Ambie Awards and 15 Big Easy Awards for Theater excellence. In 2010 received the Community Arts Award by the New Orleans Arts Council and Data Newsweekly Trail Blazer Award. If you seen New Orleans youth in the movies and commercial recently, you can bet most of them came out of the Anthony Bean Community Theater and Acting School.
While drawing from a regional and national talent pool, The Anthony Bean Community Theater remains committed to a strong local presence and are forging partnerships with local organizations that are working to reach beyond the barriers of race, class, gender, and sexual orientation.
Kim Ford is the founder/publisher of JubileeMag.com, an online faith-based mag for adults 18-39 covering truth, culture and style. She's interviewed greats like Tyler Perry, Lecrae, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Meagan Good, Deitrick Haddon, Magic Johnson, Tyrese, Rev Run and the list goes on. She’s also covered events like the Stellar Awards, BET Awards, Soul Train Awards, Dove Awards, and Trumpet Awards.
As an extension of her media group, Kim teaches a blogging workshop at Georgia State University and created a downloadable eCourse to teach the masses about blogging.
Helping others move past their set-backs and dominate in their calling is Kim's passion. This inspired her to write her first book, “It's Never Too Late”, set to release March 2016. In February, Kim will be honored as one of Atlanta's Phenomenal Women.
As an extension of her media group, Kim teaches a blogging workshop at Georgia State University and created a downloadable eCourse to teach the masses about blogging.
Helping others move past their set-backs and dominate in their calling is Kim's passion. This inspired her to write her first book, “It's Never Too Late”, set to release March 2016. In February, Kim will be honored as one of Atlanta's Phenomenal Women.
Owner, Founder and Creative Director of Fergie’s Freestyle Dance Studio in Fresno, CA., Evette Fergerson has always had a love for the performing arts. Born and raised in South Los Angeles, she was inspired to dance when her mother took her to see her first musical, "Sophisticated Ladies" with the legendary Gregory Hines and Paula Kelly. Excited about what she saw, Fergerson was soon after enrolled in her first dance class for children at South West College (Los Angeles) and later progressed to Lula Washington Dance Theatre (Los Angeles) where she studied tap, jazz and ballet and learned formal technique and movement.
Fergerson attended Grambling State University (Louisiana) where she continued with dance and live stage performances for GSU's Floyd L. Sandle Theatre. After graduating with a degree in Public Relations, Fergerson held various positions within the entertainment industry, at radio stations and record labels before becoming a publicist for top entertainers. Now she has come full circle, back to her love of dance. Fergerson wants to inspire, motivate and educate others to live out loud and live their dreams through movement!
Fergerson attended Grambling State University (Louisiana) where she continued with dance and live stage performances for GSU's Floyd L. Sandle Theatre. After graduating with a degree in Public Relations, Fergerson held various positions within the entertainment industry, at radio stations and record labels before becoming a publicist for top entertainers. Now she has come full circle, back to her love of dance. Fergerson wants to inspire, motivate and educate others to live out loud and live their dreams through movement!