Rising Stars: Meet Julie Whitney-Scott

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Whitney-Scott. 

Julie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey as a storyteller started when I was ten years old. My father would submit articles and editorials for the local newspapers and magazines. I was his “secretary,” taking notes as he dictated to me his thoughts. Daddy would pick out books for me to read to learn about my African American and Native American heritage. I begin to spend most of my free time at the library reading stories that told tales of mystery, danger, and drama. 

As a teenager, my father and teachers encouraged me to continue to write stories and poetry. I used writing as a way to deal with my life situations. To express my feelings and thoughts about what was happening in the world that I lived in and watched unfold on the television. I was a child of the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement. I saw horrific pictures of abuse of my people in real-time. As a result, I became a teenage activist protesting the injustice of not only that but the Vietnam war. I witnessed men returning from the war mentally unstable on drugs. One man that I knew personally even committed suicide. 

I continued to write short stories and poems, but in my late twenties, I started to write plays. My first play was inspired by the flux of crack cocaine that hit Columbus and other major urban cities in the 1980s. I felt that the only way that I could reach the youth and families in my community was to present the story to them live. Not have them read about it but see and hear the voices of the characters who sold, brought, and even died for the drug. The Pastor of the church that I attended at the time allowed me to hold rehearsals in the basement of the church and to then have the teenage/adult actors perform it for the church and community. This started my path as a playwright and director. 

After raising my three children, I was asked to help out a fellow playwright by filling in for an actor who had to drop out of the performance that was scheduled to run in three weeks. I didn’t see myself as an actor and needed much encouragement to accept the role. It was the lead female role and I surprised myself by doing well and actually enjoyed the process of not just writing the story but acting out the story as a character. This added another element in my writing and directing process. Now I could relate to the actor that would tell my stories on stage and bring them to life. This also started my acting career. I was fifty years old. 

In 2012 I was encouraged to start my own theatre production company and thus, Mine 4 God Productions LLC (M4GP) was born. My first production was an outdoor theatre event held in the garden of the New Harvest Cafe. The play was “Three Sisters by the Fence,” that told the story of three women who connected in their backyards to discuss political issues, such as the first time voting for a Black President, to their personal relationships with their husbands and family members. 

As an actor now, I realized that there were no roles for me to audition for other than the stereotypical roles for Black and Brown people. Being a person of a darker hue, it was really limited to be cast. As a director, there were no opportunities for me to direct for anyone other than myself or another Black and Brown playwright or company. As a playwright, there was no place for anyone to see my work or the work of my peers. Storytelling was my passion, and I felt I had to advocate for a place at the table for not only myself but others. In 2012 I decided to produce the Columbus Black Theatre Festival (CBTF) in Ohio. I felt that there was a lack of opportunities for people of color to find a way to tell their stories on stage in Central Ohio, and the only way to rectify that was to do it myself. After a year of planning with other artists in the community, the first CBTF was held at the Columbus Performing Arts Center Van Fleet Theatre in July of 2013. 

This year we celebrated 10 years of the CBTF. My vision has reached playwrights of all races, genders, and sexuality from around the world, bringing their creative works to Central Ohio. I give a space for the stories of marginalized people to be told and presented by the actors who represent the characters in the stories. 

I have received nominations for my acting. I have received the Central Ohio Theatre Roundtable Harold Award in 2019 for the vision of the CBTF. I am currently the 1st Vice President of the Theatre Roundtable. I produce and host two radio shows for WGRN.org 94.1 FM. However, my greatest joy and achievement is opening closed doors by introducing actors who would not be seen outside of M4GP/CBTF to the Central Ohio theatre community. It’s my way of continuing to advocate, help others., and pay it forward to the next generation. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When I started Mine 4 God Productions, the first obstacle was having “God” in my theatre name. People assumed that M4GP was going to produce plays that were Christian based with the goal to push religious values on the audience members. When I wanted to name the Columbus Black Theatre Festival, I got feedback that the theatre community and community at large wouldn’t support me if I used the word “Black” and wanted me to just call it the Columbus Theatre Festival. 

I was firm that the company name would have God in it because I prayed on what to call my company, and the answer was, “If you put my name in it, I will meet all your needs.” I put God in it, and my needs have been met, and we are still producing plays and more in the theatre world. I was firm that the CBTF would keep “Black” in it because the reason for the festival in the first place was to acknowledge that people of color who were artists, writers, actors, etc., existed in the theatre world and to make sure that they knew there was a place for them to see and show their talents and skills. 

I then had to convince directors/actors of all races that M4GP/CBTF wanted anyone to audition as we live in a world that is made up of all people, not just some people, and that the plays were not religious productions. 

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 put the world in isolation. Live stage performances were not an option that year. It forced us to interact via Zoom video for all production meetings, rehearses, and performances. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am currently retired from Franklin County Job & Family Services. This allows me the freedom to focus exclusively on my theatre and radio-producing career. I am a proud mother and grandmother. I am the Founder/Artistic Director for the Columbus Black Theatre Festival and the 1st Vice-President of Central Ohio Theatre Roundtable. My specialty is in playwriting and directing theatre stage plays. I’m known for my articles in the Columbus Free Press and my radio shows, Julie Whitney Scott Presents Let’s Talk Theatre and Satin Flow music hour heard on WGRN.org/FM 94.1. I have received nominations for my acting skills and received the Central Ohio Theatre Roundtable Harold Award in 2019 for the vision and work of the CBTF. 

My greatest joy and achievement is opening closed doors by introducing artists, known and unknown, to the Central Ohio theatre community. It’s my way of continuing to advocate, help others., and pay it forward to the next generation. What sets me apart from others is my ability to use empathy, compassion, and understanding in meeting the artistic needs of the community in Central Ohio and beyond. The knowledge that I helped someone reach their dreams is so rewarding to me. M4GP’s motto is “Your God-given vision is our vision, and we help you bring it to life.” 

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
In my journey as an artist, I have learned the importance of support from not only fellow artists but the community at large. I had the vision to start the Columbus Black Theatre Festival, but without the support of fellow theatre artists, playwrights, audience members, and the Greater Columbus Arts Council financial support the last two years, it would only have been a dream. However, even with the support, you must stay true to your mission, to the vision that started the process in spite of any negative pushback from the ones that are helping you make the vision come to life. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mine4godproductions.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/mine4godproductionsllc
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/m4gpllc
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/mine4CBTF
• Youtube: www.YouTube.com/c/juliewhitneyscott

Image Credits
Julie Whitney-Scott
Jerri Shafer
Jasmyn Green