“NOTHING BEATS A FAILURE BUT A TRY” DR. SHAUN POWELL AND THE RITZ WRITERS Words by Mallory Pace
“Nothing beats a failure but a try,” echoed the words of Shaun Powell through-
The first cohort consisted of about eight people and they successfully put on
out the lobby of the Ritz Theatre and Museum. She had just finished giving
a comedy play called “One Funny Christmas.” From beginning to end, the pro-
me a grand tour of the intricate museum halls, backstage, VIP areas and all,
cess took about four months of learning the ins and outs of theater produc-
providing historical and detailed information about each sector as we walked.
tion. Some were more interested in writing, some wardrobe, some directing, but the experience itself is the biggest lesson.
“What’s funny is,” Powell said over her shoulder, “I don’t even work here! I just kept showing up until they gave me a desk.”
The biggest challenge, Powell explained, is the Ritz Writers not knowing they can do it and being so nervous about it. But the biggest reward is the produc-
Powell earned her doctorate from St. Thomas Christian University in Christian
tion and getting to the other side with a standing ovation.
counseling, but one of her passions always remained in writing. In 2017, after coming down with the flu, Powell sat in her room, fever running high, and
“You’re seeing the smile on their face and they’re just emotional that they did
started writing a play. The words flowed and never stopped; she wrote an en-
it,” she said. “That’s the rewarding part.”
tire play in one weekend that was incredible enough to sell out 400 seats at the Ritz Theatre, making her the first African-American woman in Ritz history
Powell advises any aspiring writers or anyone who wants to know more about
to sell out the theatre with an original play.
theater, the Ritz Writers is a great start to that education and getting a valuable hands-on experience.
Since then, her love and talent for playwriting blossomed, as she continued writing not just plays, but movies, and putting on productions at the Ritz The-
The transition from being completely new to the realm of theater production
atre. She said what first gravitated her toward the Ritz is its history.
has been both challenging and rewarding for Powell. Trying something new and giving it your all will always be scary, but like she says, nothing beats a
“Once I came in and took the tour, I couldn’t leave. I just felt a connection to
failure but a try. If there’s something you want to do, do it, she said. Give it
it, which I still do today,” Powell said. “I’m drawn to The Ritz.”
100% and keep going.
Her sold-out production of “The Wrong Man” in 2017 was her very first time
As for the future of the Ritz Writers, Powell hopes to continue expanding it in
playwriting, directing, casting, all of it. But with the help of [the other Ritz
all aspects. She plans to grow the Ritz Writers and the Ritz Theater as a hub
workers], not only was the show a hit, but Powell knew this was something the
for writers, actors and filmmakers to be able to learn and take part in every
community could come together and be a part of.
part of the process.
“I was nervous, but it just seemed like something I was supposed to be do-
This year marks the 25th anniversary of The Ritz since it was constructed in
ing,” she said. “Have you ever had that feeling? Even though I may not know
1999 on the site of the 1929 Ritz Theatre movie house in Jacksonville’s histor-
what I’m doing, I’m supposed to be here?”
ic African-American community of La Villa. To commemorate such a historical landmark, Powell and the Ritz Writers plan to create a documentary of its
Year after year, Powell continued writing and directing plays at the Ritz The-
history using the museum’s archives.
atre until she decided this could be used as an opportunity to teach other aspiring writers about the process of putting on a production. As someone
Friends and co-workers of Powell know her to be a passionate, kind and
who was once an aspiring writer and director herself, she wanted to create
hardworking leader who continues to do everything she can to give back
a one-stop-shop for people to learn all parts of the process, from writing to
to her community and city she was born and raised in. Her work with the
producing to managing. Thus, the Ritz Writers was born.
Ritz Theatre and Museum has only just begun. To think, what started as a flu-induced playwright for Powell has turned into her being a part of The Ritz
The challenge went from navigating how to put on a play to trying to teach
Theatre history.
other people how to put on a play.
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