Artist bio

Christopher Johnson, Class of 2020, born in Rochester, NY, is graduating Magna Cum Laude from the Musical Theater Program at North East School of the Arts (NESA), in San Antonio, TX. His love for acting began in 3rd grade and has only blossomed with each role, such as MLK Jr., Simba, and The Tin Man. His passion for dramatic roles grew as he graced different stages in his hometown, performing powerful poetry pieces by Daniel Beaty. He has been recognized for his talents with Gold Awards in the Regional ACT-SO Dramatics category, RocStars Talent Show and a Best Actor nomination in the Las Casas Foundation Joci Awards. Chris started writing imaginative fiction stories in elementary school, before transitioning to poetry pieces that delved into teen struggles and racism. Recently, he added script writing to his resume. Chris was a finalist in the San Antonio Book Festival Fiction Contest for his essay, The Riverwalk, he also took home the Gold award in the Regional Act-So Playwriting category, and had the unique experience of performing his first script in a continuous loop, as different audiences entered the room. He is currently working on the launch of his own brand- "The Poetic Actor" t-shirts and mugs. With the support of his family, he looks forward to continuing his education at the illustrious Howard University to major in acting to pursue his dreams of being a known stage and/or film actor.

Title

The Ambivalent Nature of Humanity

Medium/Genre

Monologue

Artist Statement

A performance speaking on how humans have begun to fall into chaos and how to make it back out of it

How it fits into contest

The work fits into the topic of Ephesians because it speaks on the evil which can inhibit humanity from bettering ourselves as a whole and can cause us to continue to descend into chaos.

Credits

Chris Johnson- Writer, editor,co-director
Vivian Johnson- co-editor, co-director
Mekhi Brewer-accompanist

Transcript / Lyrics

the ultimate balancing act,
rights of the world,
messages stood by and signified by virtue versus forces of corruption and harms which ultimately can destroy you,
the hope faltering as we seemingly feel the air turn to molten and in turn we further divide, turmoil over small insignificant differences meant to act as the festering pool in which misanthropy pesters in our ears from the mouths of devils,
Influence from these causing cracks in the previously conceived fortitude in our minds,
timidness meant to bend us, break our spines,
The recognition of blessings could and would previously align us,
But with the passing of time morals and unity have taken the path of premature obscurity,
And most people can tell, so silence is the deafening scream which mirrors the devils intent, the reflection of the world poses an image which seems almost inevitable in it’s passage to hell, poses the question if we can ever turn back, is it null?
How do we change the unacceptable and move out of the desolate?

The path to change won’t be quick,
it never is,
but those given the power of strength by god
Will move forward despite the losses which plague us all,
Discrimination equals the evisceration of us all,
Unity against other worldly aggressions must be made if we want to make it past the current tense,
Tensions built off of obsessions of the flesh,never seem to lead us to success
Together we have the full capabilities of making life better, the worst of today can't tether us from a greater tomorrow

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