PINE BLUFF FILMMAKER SHARES HIS WISDOM

By Erin France/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

Dui Jarrod is an actor, producer, writer, director and Pine Bluff native.

Jarrod spoke to a group of five University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff theater majors Friday about learning opportunities with his new production. “I’m definitely here to support you guys in whatever way possible,” Jarrod said.

Although “Between You and Me” is slated to play at Pine Bluff’s Convention Center on Sept. 20, the cast and crew arrived in the city early to avoid Hurricane Gustav’s approach to their New Orleans stomping grounds.

The production’s members are now spread throughout Arkansas and Louisiana as some returned to New Orleans and others remained to rehearse.

Jarrod said he’s excited to have his hometown on the tour.

“Pine Bluff is the first stop on the tour,” he said.

His partnership with UAPB encompasses reaching out to the theater students and the community.

On Sept. 18 Jarrod will conduct a workshop for theater students, and later that day, the production’s cast and crew will join area residents to bowl for charity.

Jarrod said he originally conceived the play after watching the interactions among Hurricane Katrina refugees. Six months later, he began submitting it to New Orleans theaters for production. That first showing brought in investors, Jarrod said.

From there the play blossomed, filling out with actors, musicians, technical crew and now a year-long tour stopping in locations such as San Diego, Chicago and Atlanta.

“The play is a contemporary drama and it’s about two different couples on opposite sides of the black experience,” he said.

But he’s not giving much away about the plot line.

“I wouldn’t say it was a happy ending,” Jarrod said. “I would say it’s an ending filled with growth.”

It might be possible to say the same about the production’s evacuation to Pine Bluff.

“We’re already a family,” he said, “and this is just another experience under our belt.”