You Gotta Have Game
This part of the journey with friends and loved ones is proof positive, that even though we may feel fragile sometimes and must fight our many myriad number of challenges, ills and even fatalities, we who continue to move forward, fight, struggle—holding on and never giving up, we don’t just survive—No, instead, with the right frame of mind, we thrive…because of love, joy, pleasure and our own happiness found! Pain is transitory… fleeting. Like the songwriter wrote: “Trouble don’t last always.” Embrace the moments that have made us who we are.
Life is a journey—not just a trip with destinations and an expiration date! Traveling is an action AND a process. These are the pieces that fill my heart and remind me to greet each day glad to be alive. It’s taken a whole lot of years; but I’m learning to love myself and those around me with verve! My hope/poem/whisper/prayer to you too…You gotta have game!
--Kimmika L. H. Williams-Witherspoon
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You Gotta Have Game is available for streaming and download on all major platforms.
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Poetic Text
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Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon, PhD (Cultural Anthropology), M.A. (Anthropology), MFA (Theater), Graduate Certificate (Women’s Studies), B.A. (Journalism); is a Full Professor of Urban Theater and Community Engagement in the Theater Department at Temple University and immediate Past-President of the Temple University Faculty Senate. The recipient of the 2021, Provost’s Arts grant, 2020 Stauffer Faculty Service Award, Principle PI for the 2018-19 $50,000. Lumina foundations Fund for Racial Justice and Equity. 2013 The Miriam Maat Ka Re Award for scholarship; the 2013 Associate Provosts for the Arts Grant ($1000 ); the KCACTF Distinguished Playwriting Award; the 2008 $50,000. Research and Creative Seed Grant Co-recipient, 2003 Provost’s Arts Commission Grant ($5,000); the 2001 Independence Foundation Theater Communications Group Grant, the 2000 winner of the PEW Charitable Trust $50,000 fellowship in scriptwriting, and the 1999, winner of the DaimlerChrysler “Spirit of the Word” National Poetry Competition (Seattle). Williams-Witherspoon has also been the recipient of a host of other awards and honors, including: the DaimlerChrysler Regional Poetry Contest (Philadelphia), the 1996, Lila Wallace Creative Arts Fellowship with the American Antiquarian Society and a twotime returning playwright with the Minneapolis Playwrights’ Center and Pew Charitable Trusts Playwrights Exchange.
The author of Through Smiles and Tears: The History of African American Theater (From Kemet to the Americas) (Lambert Academic Publishing, 2011); The Secret Messages in African American Theater: Hidden Meaning Embedded in Public Discourse” (Edwin Mellen Publishing, 2006) Williams was, at one time, Arts Producer for public radio, WXPN-88.5, reporter and columnist with the Philadelphia Tribune and television editor for the Chicago-based “Maceba Affairs Media Review Magazine. As a journalist, Williams’ articles and essays have appeared in Praxis; the “Hammer” Journal, “Dialogue”, the Philadelphia REAL NEWS, POETS & WRITERS Magazine, THE OTHER SIDE, the New York GUARDIAN NEWSWEEKLY, the DAILY MUSE, BLACK AMERICA MAGAZINE, PHILLY BEAT, HIGH PERFORMANCE MAGAZINE and the PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS. In that capacity as a journalist, in 1986, she received the Outstanding Journalism Award from the Philadelphia Veterans Administration.
As an actress, appearing in over 24 productions, her stage credits include, SHOT!, (for which she is also the playwright); “Damn Yankees”; “No Mo’ Blues”; “Shakin the Mess Outta Misery”, “From Brillo Pads To Feminine Pads: Raw Abrasives”, “A Product of Pop Culture and Pissed”, “Nappy Truth”, “Common Folk”, “A CHAINED FOOT STUMBLING ON A NEW WORLD”, “GUMBO”, “WE THE PEOPLE”,”IZZY”,”THE BLACK DIAMOND” and “WHERE WERE YOU IN ‘65”.
As a playwright, Williams-Witherspoon has had 34 productions of her work, including Wrestlin’ ‘Rona (2022), From Safe to Brave (2020; 2019), “Count Down to Boom” (2014 and 2013); La Baker: Le Femme (2011); “SHOT!” (looking at violence in North Philadelphia which received the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival; Distinguished Achievement Award for Playwriting, Co-Conception and Performance in 2010); “Survival Strategies: A Tale of Faith (First World Theatre) for which she won the PEW); “From Brillo Pads To Feminine Pads: Raw Abrasives” (Women’s Festival/Painted Bride), “Dog Days: The Legend of O.V. Catto” (Venture Theater),”By What Price: Unity” and “Nappy Truths” (Penumbra Theater, Saint Paul, Minn.). She has had 14 play readings, performed in 8 one-woman shows, dramaturgy for 8 plays, and directed 21.
Williams-Witherspoon is a recipient of numerous Residency, Teaching and Community Service Awards, including citations from City Council, The Goode Admin., the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and the key to the city of Scranton, Pennsylvania by Mayor James P. Connors in 1992. A contributing poet to 50 anthologies, Williams-Witherspoon has published 11 books of poetry, 9 book chapters, 10 journal articles, 2 books on African American Theater, published 20 articles in Newspapers and magazines, quoted or referenced in 61 news national and international articles, had 2 of her short stories published, produced and/or consulted on 6 films, performed in over 130 Poetry performances and appeared in over 85 community outreach and engagement events. Dr. Williams-Witherspoon has successfully helped to mint 18 new PhD’s into the academy.
1. Why
Adam Vidiksis, drums
2. Crack of Morning
Mike Boone, bass
Bruce Barth, piano
Justin Faulkner, drums
excerpt from Naima, Fly With The Wind (BCM&D RECORDS)
3. I Like
Adam Vidiksis, composition and sound design
4. Love Is
Mike Boone, bass
Bruce Barth, piano
Justin Faulkner, drums
excerpt from Naima, Fly With The Wind (BCM&D RECORDS)
5. Fragile
Adam Vidiksis, composition and sound design
6. Making Yum Yum
Tim Warfield, saxophone
Mike Boone, bass
Bruce Barth, piano
Justin Faulkner, drums
excerpt from Fly with the Wind, Fly With The Wind (BCM&D RECORDS)
7. 20/20
Adam Vidiksis, drums
8. Thank You
Manu Gajanan, keyboard
Nick Kruse, bass
Adam Vidiksis, drums
9. Coming Back Into Myself
Terell Stafford, trumpet
Mike Boone, bass
Bruce Barth, piano
Justin Faulkner, drums
excerpt from Naima, Fly With The Wind (BCM&D RECORDS)
10. Fragile Bag of Blood and Bones
Adam Vidiksis, composition and sound design
11. Kerplunk
Adam Vidiksis, composition and sound design
Executive Producers: David Pasbrig, Robert Stroker
Recording/Mixing/Mastering Engineer: David Pasbrig
Design: Greg Gonyea
Photo: Joseph V. Labolito
Recorded March/April 2023 at Boyer Recording Studio, Temple University