Producing with Garlia: Plays, Parenting... it's all a performance

About Producing with Garlia: Plays, Parenting... it's all a performance

Get a #behindthescenes look at producing, solo and co-parenting and writing with Obie Award winning producer, Garlia Cornelia Jones.

Publisher

Garlia Cornelia Jones

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

24 Jun 2024

Latest episode

9 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

6 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   9 Sept 2026

   [PREVIEW] People Watching in Greenwich: Week 1 - The Artist's Way

   Dear Patron, Happy Tuesday. I hope you had a restful long weekend. From September to November 2026, I will be going through The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron (https://go.shopmy.us/p-85021662).   Each week, I will connect with you at the end of one week and the beginning of another to share how that week went for me.  So whether you are finding me at the beginning of the journey or the end, I hope this series serves as a guide for you through your own creative life, and helps you unlock your own creative rebirth. While you don’t have to be a paid subscriber or patron, I am asking that because of the sensitive nature of some of these posts, that you are at least patron or a subscriber on the Free level. There will also be an audio component to these episodes that I will add to my podcast Producing with Garlia, available wherever you get your podcasts. The audio episodes also serve as a companion to my substack and patreon posts.  So however you find me, whether in the written form or the audio form. Thank you for being here. On September 1st I began Julia Cameron’s “The Artist Way” (https://go.shopmy.us/p-85021662). There were a number of things that led me to it. I’ve been feeling stuck lately in my life.  There’s no lack of ideas, but it’s the execution of the ideas that sometimes holds me back, and often that is because there are so many or they are incredibly detailed and layered and I think and get lost in the dream of the final product while sometimes failing to go back through all the details. My life needs a change. A serious change. I am currently dealing with the same unexpected housing transition, so I’m simultaneously looking for housing, more clients and full-time work all while holding down a household on my own. There’s laundry to do and deep cleaning to do and one woman with a tween and a teen trying to do it all. Money is tight and the pressure is real. And yet, my faith in miracles has never faltered. My knowledge that something great is coming has never disappeared.  I have always been a woman of deep faith, and faith does not have to be tied to any particular religion. It is the belief in things one cannot see. So it is with that energy that I knew I needed a “kick in the pants” so to speak.  My partner gave me a pep talk a few weeks ago, and then I saw a video from Francesca Ramsey (https://go.shopmy.us/p-85021662) on Instagram where her journey with “The Artist’s Way” that she did in May (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL50UerRVkXNaMDnuwEuplGybdflW-Rzt9&si=YoOb5LIIAMe62LD8) was unlocking things for her.  Her Instagram had grown tremendously and she was attributing that, in part, to “The Artist’s Way”.  As someone who has followed her career for several years…nearly a decade… probably over a decade, from Hair tutorials to MTV decoded, life transitions and everything in between, I’ve always admired her and seen many similarities, especially within the design space.  I’ve learned things from her over the years (my use of flaticon (https://www.flaticon.com/)as an example), and so, if she and her dear friend and podcast co-host De'Lon Grant were doing it (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL50UerRVkXNaMDnuwEuplGybdflW-Rzt9&si=YoOb5LIIAMe62LD8), it felt worth a try. I asked several people in my life, some had tried it and two were interested in doing it together and another was already doing it.  If nothing else, we’ll help keep each other accountable.  Having someone say, “have you done your pages?” is always helpful. So at the end of each week, I’ll share my take-aways. You may find this post at the beginning of your journey, and so it may feel like a good accountability partner for you.  You may find this post before you begin and decide to do it, that’s great too.  I hope to be a guide. Aside from my friends, Francesca has been my guide. When I do my check-ins, I’m also listening to her experience. So far, it’s been helpful. This work is deeply personal, and yet so much of my work needs to get out, so finding community in all the ways feels really important. It’s been so long since I’ve found myself in a cafe working.  It was an activity of another version of myself.  Sitting for hours in a cafe to people watch and work.  How much TIME I had and how much time I wasted.  But … is dreaming wasted time?  Sitting is observation and it’s always been active for me.  I crave more of it, but marriage, motherhood, divorce and solo-parenting own my life in ways that make my bed the only place I want to sit most days.  Not because I don’t have anything to do, in the contrary… it’s a comforting space for the tasks and activities the world and my life demand of me. I find myself working through lists and computers, everything is overloaded: my computers need more space or more memory, my home needs a deep clean, my mind needs a rest. I work as much as I can, accomplishing a lot… for myself and for my clients, and then just needing a pause. Sometimes I can’t move anymore.  I want a hung, I want someone else to make a decision. So today, for my artist date, I sit in Greenwich, CT at the cafe next to the bookstore where I purchased my book. I’ve been using a .pdf copy, and then listening to the audio book this week. It’s nice to have my own copy, to write in the margins and underline as I go, tracking my inspiration. ✅ So on to this week’s checklist: How many days this week did you do your Morning Pages?  Seven out of seven, we always hope.  How was the experience for you? I missed 2 days, but doubled up on the days I missed. Thursday, my excuse was the sheer exhaustion of dealing with an ongoing stressful housing situation, and the absolute depletion I’m feeling from that process. Saturday, my day took an unexpected twist, and when I sat to think about it, it was quietly more traumatic than I imagined, and I found myself a little frozen and deep in thought about a set of boundaries I put up several years ago. I have found that my morning pages pour out of me.  It’s less about what to write and more about making sure I do it everyday, but I am excited because I have already experienced a flow of ideas.  During Friday’s morning pages, I had an idea for my next Friday Mood for Jones & Co., and I made the carousel and got that post out (https://www.instagram.com/p/Dc306YBlUPp/?img_index=1]), and I made a digital product (https://gum.co/u/yqoykrnx).  Next, I want to batch the substack ideas for Jones & Co and Producing with Garlia.  I have many in a Scrivener project, ready to be completed and posted! I remember Francesca Ramsey talking about her hand cramping a bit and I experienced the same.  With so much time spent on the computer the little think like spending more time journaling by hand was new.  I do keep a hand written planner and have a set of colored pens.  I’m a paper mate flair lady (https://go.shopmy.us/p-85002360), so I enjoy writing and look forward to filling up my notebook with more and more Morning Pages over the next 12 weeks and beyond. Did you do your Artist Date this week? Yes, of course we always hope.  And yet Artists Dates can be remarkably difficult to allow yourself.  What did you do?  How did it feel? On Sunday, I decided that I wanted to buy the book and have my own copy of “The Artist’s Way”.  My friend had shared a .pdf copy and I’d also add the audio book to my library after chatting with another friend from high school, and discovering that she was also doing “The Artist’s Way”.  The two local bookstore’s closest to me were closed, likely for the weekend, but I found one in Greenwich, called and was delighted that they had 1 copy left.  I asked that they put it on hold, and said I was on my way.  The weather was incredible and the energy was just right.  I had to circle a couple times for parking spot, and when I finally found one, there was another car that looked like it was going to go in that spot.  I paused and it didn’t move, so I took the spot, but wanted to make sure the person / people didn’t want it as they were still parked, and the week before, I had a similar experience in Harlem, as I was parking for 48Hours in… Harlem®.  When I approached the car, the woman exclaimed, “oh you’re so sweet, that was so kind of you, you were behind me, you can have the spot!” She was in a floral blue dress with designer sunglasses.  I felt a little schleppy in my black linen pants, orange workout top and denim jacket, but I also felt good for making another person’s day and showing a little kindness.  I walked down the street and turn the corner to find the most delightful brick building with several storefronts. I went into the store, looked around, taking in the new book smell that accompanied my Saturday trips to Barnes and Noble with my father, who is now 101 years old. Every Saturday, after my flute lesson in the suburbs of Detroit, we would always sit for a hot drink and a treat and a book of some sort. I’m so grateful for those Saturdays with my Dad, and even as I write this post, I’m reminded that my love of cafes and coffee shops started with him and those weekly moments while I was still in middle school. I walked up to the counter, and let the attendant know I was here for “The Artist’s way”, and she handed it to me with a lime green flower post-it that had my name on it.  She’d spelled it correctly and everything.  More than that, this book was mine… to write in and explore.  I was here for the deep dive and the life transformation.  I have surrendered because the last year of my life, and maybe even two years have been one hell of a ride, and it’s time to tap back in. When I left the shop with my new book tucked inside of my favorite tote (https://go.shopmy.us/p-85004886), I stopped next door, and decided to sit and work a little bit.  I was excited to read and underline, write in the margins and get lost in a creative space. Two hours letter, I had made some notes in the book and written most of this post.  I people watched and had an arugula salad with smoked salmon, an iced tea, that I actually meant to be hot and a cup of watermelon. I messaged the kids an hour before I know I’d be home, encouraging them to be ready, and by the time I got home, I had the bandwidth to go to the grocery story with the kids, and not feel like I was neglecting a part of my creative life.  I usually order the groceries, but Trader Joe’s requires a visit, and until I can budget for that private chef, this will have to do ;) The time away doing something I enjoyed was not only restorative, but a reminder that the quiet time is necessary.  My therapist has always asked me how I’m taking care of myself amidst the rollercoaster of my life, and this was most certainly one of the ways. Were there any other issues this week that you consider significant for your recovery?  Describe them. One of the tasks asked us to time travel, and the act of writing out my champions from over the years and that list far out weighing my enemies was encouraging to see.  That and thinking about my imaginary lives and the other interests I’ve had over the years, and passions I would have pursued, had I not completely been bit by the theatre bug. I’d love to hear your thoughts about how you’re finding the process each week as you’re doing it.  Please leave a comment if you’d like to share. Thanks for following along.

2. 

   5 Oct 2024

   [PREVIEW] Episode 5: Building innovation and support for Black Artists

   In this episode of Producing with Garlia, Garlia Cornelia Jones shares her first ever keynote speech, delivered at the Louisiana Arts Summit on October 4, 2023.  Garlia reflects on her personal and professional journey as an artist, producer, and advocate for Black theatre. She covers the importance of community, innovation in the arts, and the need for ongoing support for Black artists. Episode Chapters 00:00 - 03:00 // Introduction and Reflections on Baton Rouge Former President and CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, Adam Knapp introduces the keynote, Garlia shares her connection to Baton Rouge 03:00 - 09:30 // Career and Founding of Black Curtain Garlia recounts her time at Indiana University, where she founded Black Curtain, a platform for Black stories. She shares how this experience shaped her career as a producer and advocate for Black artists. 09:30 - 14:30 // Challenges in the Theater Industry Jones speaks about the challenges of working in predominantly white institutions, her experiences as a producer, and the lack of support for Black artists in the theater industry. 14:30 - 24:30 // Pandemic and Innovation in the Arts A reflection on the impact of the pandemic on the arts and how it prompted innovations. She contrasts the initial accessibility during lockdown with the challenges of post-pandemic audience retention. 24:30 - 35:00 // The Importance of Community and Mentorship Garlia highlights the value of community, collaboration, and mentorship, sharing stories about her father’s influence, her mentors, and the importance of relationships in her career. 35:00 - 42:00 // Founding of Blackboard Plays and Black Motherhood Festival She discusses the founding of Blackboard Plays and the Black Motherhood and Parenting New Play Festival. She explains how these platforms provide space for Black playwrights and parents in the arts. 42:00 - 50:00 // Returning to Detroit and Building Artistic Spaces Garlia reflects on her return to Detroit and her work with the Obsidian Theatre Festival. She talks about the importance of creating opportunities for Black artists in her hometown. 50:00 - End // Final Reflections and Call to Action In closing, Garlia urges the arts community to focus on collaboration, innovation, and breaking down barriers in the industry. She emphasizes the need for change and a more inclusive, supportive future for Black artists. Check out some photos from the 2023 Summit, of speakers and panelists! (https://www.artsbr.org/news/7vlzawaauo7dd4dd4jzre3zopgxcc3-td5fw-t3dhc-p7c8e-j4tb2-wkmz2-ez8kn-8nnwh-8dd9x-3lezy-pdbc8) Take a look at the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Instagram Post on Garlia (https://www.instagram.com/artscouncilgbr/p/CxL1wBrJ57r/?img_index=1) Read the Feature on all 3 keynotes in Country Roads Magazine (https://countryroadsmagazine.com/art-and-culture/visual-performing-arts/louisiana-arts-summit-2023/) Stay Connected! Follow Garlia on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/garliacornelia  (https://www.instagram.com/garliacornelia) Follow "Producing with Garlia" on Substack / producingwithgarlia.substack.com (https://producingwithgarlia.substack.com/) Follow the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artscouncilgbr (https://www.instagram.com/artscouncilgbr)

3. 

   19 Jul 2024

   Episode 4: Do people care if you work hard and still fail?

   Good Morning, Patrons! I recorded this last night after a long and productive, but only mildly frustrating day. It was a good day overall, and I had kid-free time, because the kids ended up having a playdate. I fell asleep on my sofa, as I often do, then transferred to my bed around 1am, checked a couple other things off my list and finally fell asleep around 3am. There are days like that. Yesterday morning, I capture some work #bts content on my phone and my daughter's but the time lapse didn't work, so back to the drawing board I went. I also knew that yesterday was the last quiet day for a while. ___ This is a public post and podcast episode. If you are NOT a patron - JOIN The community here! (https://bit.ly/joinpatreon-gcj) I have been really proud of myself with my consistent posting. I have been really working on just getting things out there without over-thinking. No, I don't think everything is perfect... BUT... (and I found this clip, AFTER I began doing this), according to a recent IG Reel from Blavity Founder, Morgan DeBaun, my batting average is just going to increase.   (https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9khaF5I-y2/?igsh=MTF2bm83Nml3bDR0ZA==) Now, if you know me, then you know that I'm not a huge sports aficionado. My softball playing days in middle school were not going to take me to any league, but they did give me some team building camaraderie and lasting memories of balls I watched go over my head in the outfield ;). But -- What I get from Morgan's metaphor is to keep trying... failures and flops will happen, but if I continue to do the work, it will only grow and get better and THAT is what people will focus on. This has been a year of A LOT of lessons... Some I will share, and others I will save for later. I have felt the ups and down of job loss and heartbreak at a time when I am the sole provider and need to make sure my children are well taken care of. Parenting is not easy and Co-Parenting comes with its challenges. I am grateful to have the community I have and one that includes safe spaces for the children as well. That has been my saving grace during some of the busier more hectic times... Community. My faith has gotten my through. "I believe in the good things comin' " as Nahko says in "Black as Night" (https://tidal.com/track/295825327?u), and I'll stay that way. -- I would love to hear responses to the questions I posed... Do people care if you work hard and still fail? There are a lot of variables to that response, but what do you think and what have your experiences been with that? Leave your comments below. Thanks for being here. Sincerely, Garlia ❦ Before I forget! ❦ 1. Please comment on the post or tap the heart if you liked what you read. 2. Streaming for Obsidian Theatre Festival is available: https://bit.ly/joinotfstream (https://bit.ly/joinotfstream) 2. See a list of my published articles and essays: http://www.garliacornelia.com/writer/articles-essays/ (http://www.garliacornelia.com/writer/articles-essays/) 3.  I’ve been updating my website and BLOG! All my work: blogs, photography, writing and producing history here: http://www.garliacornelia.com (http://www.garliacornelia.com) 4.Follow me on Instagram: @garliacornelia 5. Have something else…? MESSAGE ME!

4. 

   11 Jul 2024

   [PREVIEW] Episode 3 - Work Share - Poem: "First Lady"

   It's late. I couldn't sleep. I'm also trying to get in the practice of doing this more and the first step is always the hardest, right... so... here we go. I'm sharing some of my writing. A poem I wrote. I'll share poems and short stories more. I have a lot I have been writing. This one is called "First Lady" First Lady by Garlia Cornelia Jones I wanted to be your FIRST Lady. To rule at your right hand and you at my left. But that’s not really a First Lady. I wanted to be your First Lady. Until I knew what that meant. I wanted to be your Queen, your woman, your baby, your honey And I was. But so was she. We were your Queens, your women, your babies, your honeys. And then I wasn’t … I wanted to be your First Lady. Until I ran for president and we both won. -- Thank you for being here. Stay Tuned for the #48hoursinbatonrouge announcement tomorrow. Looking forward to it. ❦ Before I forget! ❦ 1. Please comment on the post or tap the heart if you liked what you read. 2. Streaming for Obsidian Theatre Festival is on our website: https://bit.ly/joinotfstream (https://bit.ly/joinotfstream) 2. See a list of my published articles and essays: http://www.garliacornelia.com/writer/articles-essays/ (http://www.garliacornelia.com/writer/articles-essays/) 3.  I’ve been updating my website and BLOG! All my work: blogs, photography, writing and producing history here: http://www.garliacornelia.com (http://www.garliacornelia.com) 4.Follow me on Instagram: @garliacornelia 5. Have something else…? MESSAGE ME!

5. 

   10 Jul 2024

   [PREVIEW] The Puzzle of my life

   Good Morning, Patrons! Episode 2 is here. This one will be for Patrons only! I'm back from Detroit as you read in my last post and have been thrust into figuring out these puzzle pieces. Listen to the Audio above and share my page with people you think might be intersted. In other news, I'm getting 48Hours in...™Baton Rouge up and going... it's in 15 days! Figuring out what the rest of the summer will be for my kids as well. I'll be interviewed for an arts council podcast later this after and for another zine focused on Black artists with my frequent collaborator, John Sloan III in Detroit. That Zine will be out at the end of the month. Looking forward to sharing with you. THANK YOU for being here. xo Garlia ❦ Before I forget! ❦ 1. Please comment on the post or tap the heart if you liked what you read. 2. Streaming for Obsidian Theatre Festival is available: https://bit.ly/joinotfstream (https://bit.ly/joinotfstream) 2. See a list of my published articles and essays: http://www.garliacornelia.com/writer/articles-essays/ (http://www.garliacornelia.com/writer/articles-essays/) 3. I’ve been updating my website and BLOG! All my work: blogs, photography, writing and producing history here: http://www.garliacornelia.com (http://www.garliacornelia.com) 4.Follow me on Instagram: @garliacornelia 5. Have something else…? MESSAGE ME!

6. 

   24 Jun 2024

   IMPACT IS HERE

   My dear patrons... and non-patrons... This is the first of its kind... and it will NOT be the last. So many times, I think that the only way to truly bring you into my work is to audio record it and turn it into a podcast. Tonight / this morning, as I sit here half away, looking out at the Detroit Athletic club from my hotel room in/downtown Detroit, about to embark on the inaugural Detroit /impact arts Conference, I want to share a word. It's been a challenging couple months. May focused on health and mental health. Between my kids and I, we were at urgent care weekly for 3 weeks. I also took my own mental health support a step further. June has been more focused! I've been sharper and more able to tackle the work ahead of me because of my mental health support, but I've also been catching up! Anyway, it's 6:18am and I need to tackle a mini list before getting out the door. We launch this today! The inaugural Detroit IMPACT Arts Conference. The Youth workshops are in the morning and the afternoon line-up is packed! My session is at 4pm, followed by the keynote - Dominique Morisseau at 5pm Register for these sessions here: https://bit.ly/glai-impact-reg-24 (https://bit.ly/glai-impact-reg-24) The conference is free and open to the public! I sincerely hope you are able to come by today or any time this week, and take in what we have to offer! More soon! Thanks for listening and reading!