Talented Jamaican-born actress Jozanne Marie brings her one-woman play to Montreal
by Aisha DELPECHE
Jozanne Marie is an actress, a poet, a writer, an activist, and most importantly a survivor. She is a woman that exudes the essence of forgiveness, resilience and love.
At the young age of 10, she left Jamaica for the United States. Jozanne was excited to spread her wings, experience the land of opportunity, and most importantly begin a new life. Indulging in her new home with new family members and friends, she slowly started feeling the comfort and safety any 10-year-old yearns in a new environment.
However, an uncomfortable display of affection turned into inappropriate advances that transformed into robbing her of her innocence.
Jozanne Marie rejected the generational curses and took the driver’s seat of her own destiny. She left home during her senior year of high school: she was homeless, and living from couch to couch. Tainted, she transitioned into adulthood with low self-esteem and high insecurities, but she still tackled her journey called life with fire and tenacity.
Her solo-play Beautiful, was born out of that unspeakable tragedy after she transitioned from homelessness and hopelessness to the consciousness of a better tomorrow.
That transition came when Jozanne was 16, walking the streets of New York City, it was in that moment she became aware of a greater purpose in life. An off-Broadway Director acknowledged her gift of acting, while she was in her second year in college studying forensic psychology. He cast her in his traveling theater company and her passion was fueled.
When she moved to Los Angeles, she was mentored by award-winning actress and writer Charlayne Woodard who inspired Jozanne instantly by her presence and the captivating spirit of her solo play; In Real Life. Charlayne encouraged Jozanne to write, and before she knew it Beautiful was born.
Her purpose in sharing her truth is to celebrate forgiveness, overcoming adversities, dance to success, and empower others. Beautiful is not just a play, it’s a movement.
Beautiful, which brings to life issues of sexual abuse and mental illness, will premiere in Montreal on Saturday, May 14, at the Auditorium de La Grande Bibliothèque, 475 de Maisonneuve in downtown Montreal.
The event a production of Aisha Delpeche, founder of RUTHATSOMEBODY, and comes under the patronage of the Honorary Consul of Jamaica, Mr. George Grant.
Show times are 3 PM and 8 PM. Tickets are 30$ (Part proceeds to RIPTHERUNWAY 2016).
Tickets available in NDG: Valentino Trading, 5480 rue Sherbrooke O, 514-485-5225
CDN: Jamaica Association of Montreal, 4065 Jean Talon W. 514-737-8229
Downtown: Mango Bay Restaurant 1236, rue MacKay, 438-795-5180
West Island: Marché Colonnade, 4850, rue René-Émard, Pierrefonds, 514-624-7689
South Shore: Brossard Bagel 286 Gladstone, Greenfield Park 450-465-7778
LaSalle: Princessa Beauty Products 1669, av Dollard, LaSalle 514-595-4894
