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Storyteller Gives Life To Tales

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By LENORA LAKE

llake@tampatrib.com

Published: February 25, 2009

UNIVERSITY AREA - Actress-storyteller Rhodessa Jones' style is about movement.

So recently students in her theater workshop at the University Area Community Center spent the morning stretching, jumping, running and giving life to tales.

The 10 students were teachers and administrators in the cultural art program Prodigy, which uses the arts to reach troubled youths.

Jones told the students: "Long ago, I decided art for art's sake wasn't for me."

Jones, 60, is the co-artistic director of the San Francisco performance company Cultural Odyssey. She also is the founder and director of the Medea Project: Theater for Incarcerated Women, a program designed to give incarcerated women self-esteem and a chance for change.

"I engage in the human element, using theater, movement to help women find their voice," she said.

Jones was in Tampa recently performing her work "The Love Project" at Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Her Feb. 10 workshop at the community center, as well as Feb. 11 at The Spring, a domestic violence shelter, was part of the outreach program for the arts center's Patel Conservatory.

For the workshop, she talked to the participants about why they came and what they wanted to get out of the program. Each in some way wanted to develop his or her skills in helping their students develop character and confidence as young men and women.

For Carolina Garcia, who teaches at the Town 'N Country Prodigy program, as well as dance at Blake High, the workshop had a special meaning.

"I've known of Rhodessa Jones' work for years," Garcia said. "I never thought I would have a chance to take a class. The work she does is what drew me."

Between activities, Jones offered tips: "I want you to go back to your communities and really be looking at them. Eyeball to eyeball is powerful."

She added: "Whatever you do for them, movement is so important," she said.

Correspondent Lenora Lake can be reached at (813) 865-4851.

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