Today we’d like to introduce you to Dara Bragg.
Dara, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Native New Yorker, youngest of four children, director, producer, author, educator, playwright, contributing columnist, and a SAG/AFTRA actress, I am a woman of creativity and vision who graced the stage at the age of 10 playing a Pilgrim mother. However, the acting bug didn’t bite me at that time. My love for theater took root in the 80s when I traveled all over the tri-state area performing in plays, films, and TV.
I studied acting under the tutelage of Yale University graduate Dr. Helen Yalof, training in improvisation, commercial, voice-over, scene study, and technique. And although I have acted for many years and have mastered my craft, directing has become my passion. My extensive work in directing and playwriting includes a wide range of original, contemporary, and classic plays. I have written plays which I staged in schools with elementary students, churches, community theater, and Off-Broadway.
As a stage director, my credits include many plays. I will mention a few such as A Raisin in the Sun, “The Amen Corner, A Woman’s Worth,” “Skeletons” “The Romance” DELIVERANCE, The Choices You Make, Student’s Court, Three Women, Three Men, Comedic Flair and “Dreamgirls” for which I had the wonderful opportunity to direct and co-produce at Symphony Space on 95th Street and Broadway as a promotion for Dreamworks for the movie released in 2006. As Oprah Winfrey has stated, “Writing down personal experiences could be cathartic.” If you see my original stage plays, there is a piece of my life in them.
Not one to rest on my laurels, in 2011 I created The SITA (Success in the Arts) Conference and the SITA Seminar in 2014. I just wanted to bring in some entertainment insiders and even celebrities to share their journey to success in this entertainment industry. These artists have gone through blood, sweat, and tears to get to where they are. It was not an overnight success like reality shows. Everyone I had as a panelist, such as Kim Wayans (Actress, producer, and author), Kiki Haynes (Actress from Tyler Perry’s TV Show for Better or Worse), Julito McCullum (actor from HBO’s The Wire) Lawrence Saint Victor (Bold and the Beautiful) and Conrad Dimanche (Former A&R President at Bad Boy Entertainment) to name a few, interacted with the aspiring artists and were transparent in their presentation.
Inspired by my parents, siblings, husband and three children as well as other family members, friends, and mentors, I am encouraged to follow my dreams as I strive to be the best in whatever I do. I am the visionary behind Community Idol, a performing arts showcase and competition, 40+ Fashion Show, The Poet in Me Showcase, and Comedic Flair. I realized that the performing arts is what I wanted to do with my life, so I am truly dedicated to this craft.
In 2017 a vision came about which I was hesitant at first in bringing it to fruition but with a great team and wonderful family behind me, I created, The SITA Awards. The SITA Awards recognizes artists for their innovative, creative, and unique projects plus community leaders and humanitarians for their service. These people may not get an Oscar, Golden Globe, Grammy, or a BET but they can get a SITA Award for their accomplishments.
I am a multi-faceted, community-minded woman who is the founder of Deekyshaeel Entertainment, Success in the Arts, Inc. and Just Blessed Productions. I am the co-founder of Females Making Moves, Lady B Productions, and Destined Creativity Productions. I feel that I have generated a great deal of buzz because of my fearlessness and for challenging myself with every play I direct and project I produce. I am thankful for all of my accolades, such as Proclamations, Citations, Mayor’s Certificate and even My Power Women of Queens Award I have received over the years. I guess that’s why I am constantly sought after to produce, write, direct, facilitate or give presentations in reference to my theater expertise and road to success.
My ultimate goal is to establish my own drama, dance, and music & arts school in my own community. I will continue to write, produce, and direct productions that appeal to all genres.
It takes a leap of faith to believe in a dream and make it happen. If anyone can make their dream into a reality, it’s me, Dara J. Bragg. Look out world, with God ordering my steps, my creative juices are about to overflow!!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When I was an actress, it was not an easy journey. I faced different challenges when I auditioned for roles. Sometimes I was cast, and other times I was not. I struggled the most when I started to go on movie sets as an extra. I watched how the SAG actors were treated vs the non-SAG actors, and I vowed to do what I could to get my union card which I eventually did in 2001.. As a producer and director, I have reached out to many entertainers about being a part of my stage plays and seminars, but their fees were way over my budget. Not too many were willing to give back. Life is not always an easy journey; sometimes, there are setbacks, challenges, obstacles, and difficulties. Not everyone is caring, honest, accepting, or kind but you have to stay focused, resilient, and persevere. Everyone goes through trials and tribulations in their life; I’m no different than anyone else. I thank God for ordering my steps through this journey.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a retired teacher. I taught elementary school for 26 years. After retiring, I started working as an Education Specialist for an afterschool program where I support and strengthen lesson plans and provide feedback to the front-line staff, which ensures that all structured activities have clearly defined outcomes. I am most proud of all the accomplishments I have achieved in life, and I am looking forward to more coming my way. What sets me apart from others is I want to see us all win no matter what you do in your career or professional life. You don’t always find someone who is your cheerleader and wants to see you live out your dreams. I am known for being a multi-tasker and quadruple threat and someone who generally cares.
What are your plans for the future?
I am looking forward to honoring many more individuals and celebrities for their artistry like we did this year and in previous years at The SITA Awards. I know this is not impossible, but I would love to meet my inspirations Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, and the Actors and Actresses of my life, Denzel Washington and Angela Bassett. Maybe they can support me one day opening up my own Performing Arts School for youth in my community. Finally, I have several of my plays I would like to make into a film.
Contact Info:
- Website: successinthearts.com
- Instagram: Dramalady09
- Twitter: Dramalady09
Image Credits
Michael Katlow Cox. Herbert Delancey Kahleel Bragg
