_The multi-talented and multifaceted playwright does it again!!
With his newest production,
Dream Girls~Chicago.
Mr. John Ruffin who will not walk in the shoes of Mr. Tyler
Perry, but would rather define and mold his own shoe size. Has expanded himself as an artist extraordinaire. Mr. Ruffin has worked with  celebrities all over the country and yet maintains a level of humbleness and integrity. He has such a contagious and loving personality that dictates respect and warmth.  If you watched Dream Girls on television or was fortunate to catch a showing on Broadway. You don't want to miss John Ruffin's adaptation.   You will be enamored by the glitz and fizzle of this production.  You will have the opportunity to appreciate all of the performing arts displayed right before your eyes!!! Mr. Ruffin brought the television and film version of this impactful production and meshed them to emulate his genre of  live stage-play productions. This MUST SEE production will be shown every weekend in March for 14 shows.  For reduced pricing for this  elaborate production see below:

$30.00 VIP until Sunday, January 15, 2012
$20.00  Regular Admission
Place Code: Dreamgirls 47 for discount

After January 15, 2012
$60.00 VIP
$40.00

CATCH EMPOWERED's NEXT ISSUE  FOR AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH JOHN RUFFINand THE DREAM GIRLS !!!

_  For the average American, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and forget about our troops, especially during the holidays. So, in the spirit of the holidays, and in honor of those brave servicemen and women let us all remember these brave women and men who sacrifice their lives to afford each of us our freedom and liberties.   Empowered Magazine applauds Oklahoma City’s own Meant2B, one of the Midwest's hottest new R&B Sensations for recognizing the impact that a family undergoes as a result of a  service person being away for the holidays. Empowered Magazine salutes and applaud the musical genius's of Meant2B to use the power of music to tell the story of the sacrifices that our service men and women make every day.





Check out Meant2B's meaningful and poignant look into the life of a serviceman being deployed to Iraq…and the uncertainty and fear that a wife and child undergoes…..Please check out their WONDERFUL video and you be the judge of its reach!!! Empowered Magazine is so proud of Danielle Hernandez who portrayed the military wife in this very moving video, as well as all the talented actors who brought this powerful message to life.

_  Sgt. Rudy McGoy II (USA ARMY) who was severely injured on his 2nd deployment in Afghanisftan on Nov 23, 2009  suffered multiple Shrapnel wonds and burns ,lost his kidney & gallbladder ,fracture pelvis,legs and foot severed Achilles tendon. He also has TBI (tramatic brain injury) PTSD (post tramatic stress disorder). My sister, Brenda McGoy has been married with Rudy for over 6yrs now they have 2 boys together so I was able to see how she remains strong for their children she tries s her best never to let the boys see her sad and when they ask ,"When is daddy coming home" she will always say with a smile "Soon" ! After spending 2years at Walter Reed Army medical hospital my brother in law is walking and enjoying life with his wife and kids. It wasn't an easy road but a road he would gladly take again , Rudy loves being a soldier and fighting for his family love ones and most of all his country !!!  THANK YOU SGT. MCGOY FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THIS COUNTRY AND MAY YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!
 
 

 

OCU Student-Produced Documentary Gets Television Debut Thursday

First and Female’ Details Historic Gubernatorial Race

Oklahoma City University’s Moving Image Arts Department is proud to announce the television debut of “First & Female,” a documentary about women as role models framed by the historic race for the first female governor of Oklahoma. The film, directed by OCU graduate student Tinasha LaRayé Williams and produced by OCU alumnus Lance McDaniel, will debut at 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1 on OETA.

“First & Female” utilizes the 2010 Oklahoma race for governor between two highly qualified women to explore the increasingly influential role of women in Oklahoma’s history. Perspectives from Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller, civil rights leader Clara Luper, Major General Rita Aragon, former Miss America Jane Jayroe, acclaimed writer and activist Gloria Steinem, as well as many others, including the candidates, illustrate the values of perseverance and mentorship that have altered the perception of women in leadership roles.

The film was a collaborative project, bringing together a crew led by the OCU Moving Image Arts Department and Meinders School of Business with film support from Jenks High School and Oklahoma City Community College.

This will be the second screening of the film. Last summer, “First & Female” won Best Documentary Short Film at the 2011 deadCENTER Film Festival, Oklahoma’s largest film festival.  It is currently in consideration at the Sundance Film Festival and the South by Southwest Film and Music Festival in Austin.

Empowered Magazine is VERY proud of the accomplishments of Tinasha and will continue to support her in her pursuits!!

 

Imagine a girl, beaten by someone she loves, bruised, hurt mentally, physically, and struggling spiritually, needing someone to hear her cries…would you listen? Most would not.

This is the power within the arts. It is a beautiful platform from which we can tell stories to bring about awareness, and even better…change. Most would not sit in a church and listen to a sermon about the areas of their transgressions or look up motivational speakers that hit their target areas of where they need to improve. However, purchasing a ticket to a local play for the sake of entertainment is something most would do. When you have them in the audience, their eyes and ears absorb the story, and ultimately absorb the lesson. Lisa Miller-Baldwin has used this medium to speak up and speak out about something that is plaguing America and abroad: domestic violence.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall is an intense stage play with music that deals with love, self-image, self-confidence and forgiveness. The theme that truly rings out is identity, and the importance of knowing yourself and embracing who you were made to be. Through the lenses of a woman who questioned her own beauty and self worth, we can see how essential it is for one to know and love yourself before you can love another. The imbalance in Sharon, the lead character’s life (played by Starla Miller), led to her sacrificing her own safety to be with a man that claimed he loved her. It left her asking questions to a mirror, which is designed to reflect who she truly is, but she did not have eyes to see herself, her true identity.

“Mirror, mirror on the wall…who is the most unloved of them all?” This resonated through the entire audience as Sharon spoke her heart. So many could identify with this and it was felt deeply in the atmosphere. The play provokes deep reflection in the area of identity and purpose. “Who am I?” and “Why am I?” seemed to be the real questions Sharon asked her beloved mirror and only true confidant. The answers to these questions would unlock doors for her, leading her into a new tomorrow, free of abuse, pain, and self-hate. Not only were these questions for Sharon to ask herself, but for the audience to look in the mirror and speak to their reflection as well. It is encouraging to take Sharon’s journey and to see her overcome. A moment that truly stood out was a solo sung by Dr. Riley (played by Antwan Galloway). The talent and passion from this actor, combined with the message of encouragement and deliverance, tugged hearts as we witnessed the empowerment and transformation of Sharon, leaving us empowered as well.

The arts can be a powerful platform. The expression of the soul through art allows individuals to tell their stories, embrace identities, and even change for the better. Like in Mirror, Mirror, it calls for us to hold a mirror up to our faces to see what is truly looking back and it beckons us to not just be entertained, but to do something about it.

By Tinasha LaRayé

Logan Smith was introduced to
Chris "Yung Kriss" Wallace at the Academy of Contemporary Music in Oklahoma City, OK.

The combination of Chris's prodigious freestyle rap abilities and Logan's grievous acoustic rhythms created songs that could be related to easily.

If you’re looking for mainstream you've come to the wrong place.