DECATUR, GA – DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson’s office announced today that no more free tickets are available for the highly-acclaimed stage play, “It’s All About Me, Part Two,” scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur.
“I am extremely proud to present this amazing play. I urge everyone to take advantage of this rare opportunity to attend a high-quality production and be entertained with a purpose,” Commissioner Cochran-Johnson had stated earlier today. “Many people do not realize there are cures for several blood-borne diseases through bone marrow donorship, so despite not having a cure, we can save lives.”
The play is a combination of humor and serious relationships that come together to deliver a powerful punch that enlightens viewers on the importance of organ and marrow donors and the impact of giving. More than 100,000 people are currently waiting for lifesaving organ transplants on the national transplant waiting list and 7,500 are actively searching the national registry for an unrelated marrow donor.
“It’s All About Me” is a two-part stage play. Part One debuted in 2022 following the story of Athel, a mother who changed her life after her daughter received an organ transplant and decided to become an advocate for anyone in need.
Part Two shares a similar theme of selfishness and the organ donor process. This installment follows the story of Linda, a selfish controlling woman who has convinced her son that education and charity work will not lead him to the top. After climbing the ladder of success, he finds himself in need of a bone marrow transplant and must turn to the community they’ve turned their backs on and ask for help.
Persons of color are less enthusiastic about organ donation and although having the highest need in many categories, they experience diminished organ and marrow transplant success and survival due to a lack of participation in the programs.
The cast is comprised of talented DeKalb County residents.
The play is produced by Tresa Diane Smith, a motivational speaker, author, humanitarian, and advocate for social ills that plague our community. For the past 38 years, Smith’s productions have been faith-based topics that addressed social ills that plague today’s society, including teen pregnancy, homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction, Lupus, organ transplants, domestic violence, and other illnesses.
“We would like to thank the community for taking time from their busy schedule to support us in our efforts to bring awareness to becoming an organ donor. I want everyone to be enlightened and inspired enough to tell others and support us in our future events,” said Ms. Tresa Diane Smith.
Cast members include Clovis Clark, Laveeta Branche, Reese Haines, Paula Moreland, Thomas Johnson, Dorothy Wright, Sherron Leslie, and Cortez Harris.
“It’s All About Me, Part Two” is directed by Sharon Murray. Her directorial work includes “Fix Me Jesus” at the Rialto Theatre in Atlanta, with a leading role as Ms. Talley. Other theater credits include roles in “I Shall Wear A Crown” and “The Colored People.”