Parle Mag
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Diddy Trial
  • Lifestyle
  • Interviews
  • Contact Us
  • Team Parlé
  • Podcast
  • Advertising
Facebook 0 Likes
Twitter 0 Followers
Instagram 0 Followers
Pinterest 0 Followers
LinkedIn 0
Reddit 0 Subscribers
TikTok 0
0
0
0
0
0
Parle Mag
Subscribe
Parle Mag
  • Home
  • Entertainment
    • Books
    • Celebrity
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Sports
    • Television News
  • Diddy Trial
  • Lifestyle
    • Beauty
    • Business
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Op-Ed
    • Politics
    • Relationships
    • Travel
  • Interviews
Featured Categories
black countries
About Parlé
4 Posts
View Posts
Taye Diggs reads a book in an episode of private practice.
About Parle Magazine
4 Posts
View Posts
About the Editor
3 Posts
View Posts
Ad Test
1 Posts
View Posts
Posts
  • Health and Wellness Goals 1
    Shaping New Health and Wellness Goals
    • October 6, 2025
  • Brian Thomas Jr. NFL 2
    From LSU Star to Jaguars Pro: Brian Thomas Jr.’s Journey To The NFL
    • October 4, 2025
  • Diddy sentencing 3
    The Aftermath of Power: Diddy Sentencing and Its Implications
    • October 4, 2025
  • Health and Wellness Goals

    Shaping New Health and Wellness Goals

    • October 6, 2025
    View Post
  • Brian Thomas Jr. NFL

    From LSU Star to Jaguars Pro: Brian Thomas Jr.’s Journey To The NFL

    • October 4, 2025
    View Post
  • Diddy sentencing

    The Aftermath of Power: Diddy Sentencing and Its Implications

    • October 4, 2025
    View Post
  • Books
  • Entertainment News
  • Music

Shamirrah Hardin & True Stages Debut Chains – Greatness Begets Greatness

  • October 4, 2012
  • Kevin Benoit
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0

Being in the unique position to see a plan come into fruition is an amazing thing. To know that someone has developed a plan for themselves over numerous years and even though the plan might not have been completely visible to them in the beginning, it seems crystal clear in hindsight. Similarly, with presidential debates on television, it’s a lot like the journey of the candidates, let them tell it, this wasn’t always in the cards, but when a plan comes together, it’s a magical moment. Such is the case for Shamirrah Hardin, albeit, on slightly less than the national stage, Hardin is making the debut of her play Chains in New York City this weekend, the first production for her newly founded theater company, True Stages. Chains was written by Hardin, who also took over directorial duties for the show. Once it hits the stage this weekend, the majority of the audience won’t know the back story, and the focus will be the overall production, but I recently got to sit down with Shamirrah to look at some of those early stages that got us here. So before we get to the actual show, we have to look at the journey.

Like many entertainers, performing arts has been a lifelong passion for Hardin (pictured, r). Growing up in Oceanside, California, Hardin’s parents enrolled her in The Academy of Performing and Visual Arts, noticing her early interest. It was there that she got her first acting and dancing experience. “It’s always been a passion for me,” Hardin confesses. “I feel the most alive when I’m on stage.” She recalls her first experience directing came at just four or five years old, with a skit she created for her brother and parents to perform, a skit her parents still have on tape for all to see. Initially performing arts was supposed to be a hobby, something Hardin would do on the side while making a living with a much more lucrative career. So when she enrolled in Howard University—years removed from her days in performing arts school—her declared major was psychology. It wasn’t until her third year that the signs became more visible that theater and the arts might be bigger part of the equation than originally expected. “I did this internship at a research center in Chicago and it just hit me, I can’t live this life, being in a cubicle from 9-to-5, all this research, I need to be spinning somewhere, I need to be creative,” Hardin recalls. She gave it deep thought, prayed on it and took the signs she was receiving from God and decided the switch of majors was necessary. Even though it required an extra year in her undergrad career, she was convinced it was the best move.

Chains
is actually the first product of that decision. It started off as an assignment for class and then ended up becoming her senior thesis. The original concept looked heavily at slavery and compared it to issues that people were still dealing with in these current times. The play even led her to Ghana, getting the school to fund a trip that was originally a bucket-list item, now a research tool to help complete the content for her debut play. After almost four weeks in the motherland, visiting slave dungeons and developing a deeper understanding of slavery, Hardin returned to D.C. eager to put the finishing touches on her work. She completed it a short while after and the play made its debut in D.C. to sold-out audiences. That was in 2008.

After graduation it was back to normal, which included getting back into the world of the 9-to-5. She continued to pursue arts as just a hobby, but that wouldn’t last long. By 2010, Hardin was back in school, attending New York University for a Master’s Degree in Educational Theater. It was there that she would really mold her talents as a playwright and as a business mind in the arts. That same year she started her revisions for Chains, developing the framework for what it is now, a play about freedom and overcoming spiritual, mental and emotional struggles. Since freedom is the fundamental theme of the play, I asked Hardin to provide her definition of the term. She explained it simply as, “not being burdened, and knowing what’s best for you and being able to do that.”

Advertisement

In developing the play, Hardin also had a plan to develop a theater company to produce the play. True Stages Theater Company, the brainchild of Hardin was a serious process, but it seemingly came together with the help of some divine connections, launching officially in March 2012. Hardin met the company’s Director of Education, Natasha McLeod at NYU, both of them working on their Masters together. Next she met the company’s Managing Director, Andy Jean-Gilles at a workshop called Actors, Inc. in the city. The final piece came when Shamirrah and Andy attended the one-woman show for fellow actress and playwright Fariso Jordan, who is the Director of Marketing and Public Relations for True Stages. After an extensive interview process and even asking members to write a statement of interest, the four co-founded True Stages Theater Company together. “They all play a fundamental role in bringing forth the vision,” Hardin compliments. “We all have different personalities; we all have different strengths and weaknesses, but True Stages would not be what it is or what it needs to be if either of us were missing from the equation.”

The goal is for True Stages to grow in the coming years with several locations around the country, including L.A., Chicago, and Arizona, where many members of Hardin’s family currently reside. The goal is provide entertaining shows, and shows that are enjoyable for viewers, but the company wants to focus on bringing change in the community through the work. The plan is very similar for Chains. Touring around the country is the next step, and the message and discussions that take place after shows can help create the change that the team want to see.

With the New York City show debut quickly approaching, Hardin hopes that people who get a chance to experience it will, “take a look at their own lives and ask themselves if they really are living to their potential or if there is something that is holding them back from being their best self or experiencing the level of freedom that’s really available for them.” It’s a deep question, but one that can only be tackled appropriately after viewing the play.

Advertisement

The Cast
I met four members of the cast, including the three leading ladies and the leading man, played by Andy Jean-Gilles, sticking to the role he played in the Chains reading earlier this year. The ladies auditioned for the roles, each having a prior professional relationship with one of the True Stages co-founders, and finding out about the casting call through them. The process to this point for the cast is three months in the making.

 

Advertisement

Precious Sipin plays Shari, the motherly figure of the group, always trying to live life the ‘right way.’ Shari is addicted to legalistic religion.

 

Advertisement

 

Cherie Danielle plays Danielle, a singer and writer. Somewhat of a romantic, like many women she has a fantasy of what love is. Danielle is a sex addicted. She enjoys sex and believes she has the freedom to enjoy it as she pleases.

 

Advertisement

 

 

Advertisement

 

Youmie Jean Francois plays Gwen, she is fun, loving and likes to live life to the fullest. Gwen is a drug addict. She believes heroin provides her with a freedom from this life.

Advertisement

 

 

Andy Jean-Gilles plays Adam, a character who is unable to separate his life from his relationship with Shari.

Advertisement

The cast had some deep insight on the importance of the roles they were playing and the task they are undertaking. They unanimously conceded that they were prepared for the lights to go up, and when they do, they plan to bring their all. “This play is very close to my heart, I think of all the people I’ve know who were addicted to something, not just these three addictions that we’re playing, every time I walk on that stage,” Precious explained. “I want them to be in my spirit, because I am representing them, whether it’s honoring their recovery or remembering what they’ve gone through. I just want to honor that because each of us is addicted to something.” Youmie added, “Chains is written by an amazing young woman, brand new theater company, first show, so there’s a lot of expectations and this is her baby. And what people will see is how she took care of that baby. What we actors do and produce on stage is truth, everybody’s truth… we are the mirror, and sometimes people haven’t looked at themselves in a while, but every now and then it’s important, so that people can fix their hair.”

Chains makes its New York City debut at the Player’s Theater, 115 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012.
Thursday Oct 4th @ 7pm (Invited Dress Rehearsal)
Friday Oct 5th @ 7pm
Saturday Oct 6th @ 2pm
Saturday Oct 6th @ 7pm
$25 General Admission
$20 Students

The journey is coming full circle and now it’s up to the viewers to come out and support Shamirrah and the amazing team she’s put together with True Stages as well as the wonderful cast and crew that make up Chains. For me, chronicling the journey was over, but before my time with her ended, Hardin had one final point she had to make, so much so that I can’t complete my story without including it. A true team and support system goes a long way for any entrepreneur, and for Shamirrah, she is not only supported by her True Stages team and crew, she has full support from here family too, especially her mom and dad. “They’ve always believed in me since I was a little kid,” she recalls, reverting to a place obviously filled with loving memories. “Once I made the decision that I was going to choose theater as a career they were soooo supportive. I know some people once they say, ‘I wanna be an actor’, their parents practically disown them, but my family was like, ‘oh yeah, that makes sense, it totally fits; you’re going to be great in whatever you do.”

Advertisement

They were right. Greatness surrounds her and the show is just another step towards more of it.


Chains remaining cast
Ace…..Sean Boyce Johnson
Sister Mable…..Nicole Stanley
Preacher…..Max Celestin
Dancer….Jahshae Stewart
Dancer/Pretty Girl #1…..Matia Johnson
Pretty Girl #1…..Fariso Jordan

Crew:
Natasha McLeod…..Stage Manager
Deidra Blackman-Wilson…Intern and Stage Hand
Mitch Green….. Stage Hand
Terell Lane…..Original song-writer

Advertisement

For more info check out:  Twitter, Facebook and Website


Readers May Also Like:

drake sexyy red

Advertisement

Are Drake & Sexyy Red Dating? — “Just Met My Rightful Wife.”

Tupac Gold Ring Auction

Tupac Shakur’s Gold Ring To Sell At Auction For Jaw-Dropping Price

Advertisement

Dwayne Johnson movie

Dwayne Johnson To Earn Highest Actor Payday Ever For Next Movie

Ariana Grander and her husband split

Advertisement

Ariana Grande & Her Husband Have Split Up? The Truth Is…


Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Related Topics
  • chains the play
  • precious sipin
  • shamirrah hardin
  • true stages theater company
Kevin Benoit

Kevin Benoit graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 2007 with a Bachelors of Science in Legal Studies. Empowering the urban community has been a goal for Kevin Benoit for the past 8 years. As a freshman in college, in May of 2004, Benoit created Parlé Magazine, an urban entertainment magazine that focused on literacy through entertainment. The publication has since provided a stepping-stone for many individuals throughout the country, from teens to adults and continues to provide inspiration for inspiring entrepreneurs, writers, photographers and graphic designers. Read more articles by Kevin.

Previous Article
Don't Block The Vote!!!
  • Politics

Don’t Block The Vote!!!

  • October 3, 2012
  • Nekia McDonald Sr.
View Post
Next Article
  • Music

Quality Street Music – DJ Drama album review

  • October 5, 2012
  • Kevin Benoit
View Post
You May Also Like
Brian Thomas Jr. NFL
View Post
  • Entertainment News
  • Sports

From LSU Star to Jaguars Pro: Brian Thomas Jr.’s Journey To The NFL

  • Team Parle
  • October 4, 2025
Diddy sentencing
View Post
  • Celebrity
  • Diddy Trial
  • Entertainment News

The Aftermath of Power: Diddy Sentencing and Its Implications

  • Trent Lucas
  • October 4, 2025
20 Best Black Led Movies and Series on Prime Video to Binge
View Post
  • Entertainment News
  • Home Page
  • Movies
  • Shows

20 Best Black Led Movies and Series on Prime Video to Binge

  • Obiorah Precious
  • October 3, 2025
Black Voice Actors You Didn’t Know Voiced Your Favorite Characters
View Post
  • Celebrity
  • Entertainment News
  • Film
  • Home Page

Black Voice Actors You Didn’t Know Voiced Your Favorite Characters

  • Obiorah Precious
  • October 1, 2025
Social Media Reacts to Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show Announcement
View Post
  • Celebrity
  • Entertainment News
  • Home Page
  • Lifestyle
  • Shows

Social Media Reacts to Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show Announcement

  • Obiorah Precious
  • September 29, 2025
Beauty in Black Season 2 Part 2 Release Date on Netflix Revealed
View Post
  • Entertainment News
  • Home Page
  • Movies
  • Shows

Beauty in Black Season 2 Part 2 Release Date on Netflix Revealed

  • Obiorah Precious
  • September 29, 2025
d4vd connection to Los Angeles investigation
View Post
  • Celebrity
  • Entertainment News

Everything To Know About The D4vd Connection To The Los Angeles Murder Investigation

  • Obiorah Precious
  • September 24, 2025
The Most Liked Celebrity Couples in the US on Instagram
View Post
  • Celebrity
  • Entertainment News
  • Home Page
  • Lifestyle
  • Relationships

The Most Liked Celebrity Couples in the US on Instagram

  • Obiorah Precious
  • September 23, 2025
Recent Posts
  • 20 Best Black Led Movies and Series on Prime Video to Binge
    20 Best Black Led Movies and Series on Prime Video to Binge
    • October 3, 2025
  • K-Ci Hailey Interview parle mag
    [INTERVIEW] K-Ci Hailey Reflects on 30-Plus Years of Success, Being Part of Music Royalty
    • October 1, 2025
  • Black Voice Actors You Didn’t Know Voiced Your Favorite Characters
    Black Voice Actors You Didn’t Know Voiced Your Favorite Characters
    • October 1, 2025
Categories
Entertainment News
5773 Posts
View Posts
Interviews
868 Posts
View Posts
Lifestyle
2768 Posts
View Posts
Featured Posts
  • Health and Wellness Goals 1
    Shaping New Health and Wellness Goals
    • October 6, 2025
  • Brian Thomas Jr. NFL 2
    From LSU Star to Jaguars Pro: Brian Thomas Jr.’s Journey To The NFL
    • October 4, 2025
  • Diddy sentencing 3
    The Aftermath of Power: Diddy Sentencing and Its Implications
    • October 4, 2025
  • 20 Best Black Led Movies and Series on Prime Video to Binge 4
    20 Best Black Led Movies and Series on Prime Video to Binge
    • October 3, 2025
  • K-Ci Hailey Interview parle mag 5
    [INTERVIEW] K-Ci Hailey Reflects on 30-Plus Years of Success, Being Part of Music Royalty
    • October 1, 2025

RSS Parle Mag

  • Shaping New Health and Wellness Goals
  • From LSU Star to Jaguars Pro: Brian Thomas Jr.’s Journey To The NFL
  • The Aftermath of Power: Diddy Sentencing and Its Implications
  • 20 Best Black Led Movies and Series on Prime Video to Binge
  • [INTERVIEW] K-Ci Hailey Reflects on 30-Plus Years of Success, Being Part of Music Royalty
Parle Mag
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Team Parlé
  • Podcast
  • Advertising
  • Parle Endeavors
  • Parle New York
  • Privacy Policy
parlemag.com - The Voice of The Culture

Input your search keywords and press Enter.