‘A Rose Called Candace’ Is the Perfect Juneteenth Weekend Activity

This Juneteenth weekend from June 21st – June 23rd plan to be at the legendary Odyssey Theater in Los Angeles to watch ‘A Rose Called Candace‘ by Candace Nicholas-Lippman! The show is on another run, returning to Los Angeles after 4 years! It was a working hiatus where Candace embodied roles in “Blindspotting” on Starz, and “Good Trouble” on Freeform. However her show was never far from her heart.

I got to speak with her a bit about the show and her process:

What conversations do you want started from your show?

I want conversations that are authentic, honest and FREE. In 60 min. I take the audience on an emotional rollercoaster drawing on my experiences. THIS IS NOT EASY. I am raw, transparent, vulnerable and having a conversation with the audience that shares not only the beautiful parts of my life, but the ugly parts as well. Because there’s power, healing and freedom in that!

I hope it inspires others to find that in themselves.

Tell me about your relationship to characters and storytelling:

As an actor you have to fill in the blanks to make the character a whole person and tell their story authentically. You *must* create a back story! I am extremely passionate about storytelling, they connect us, so if I am in a position to portray a character then I have the responsibility to do the work it takes to discover/create their story as best I can.

Where does your sense of perseverance come from?

PURPOSE!

When you find and understand your reason for being on this earth, it fuels you. My life is not my own. It’s bigger than me. I am here to serve:

*Serve God

*Serve People

*Serve My Art

Everything I do and everything I am is to GIVE and hopefully make a difference.

What do you have to prove?

Oof, “prove?” Humbly, I don’t believe I have anything to prove to anyone outside of myself and God. I remember when I first became “verified” with the Bluecheck on Instagram (this was before bluecheck subscriptions became available for purchase!) and I made a post about
receiving the bluecheck. My caption read:

“Mood when you find out you’re now #verified on IG…. But let’s be clear… I’ve always been verified by God!!”

I think this quote sums up perfectly my response to the question. I don’t strive to “prove” or seek outside validation from anyone. I’m not in competition with anyone but myself. Each day I am focused on becoming a better version of myself than I was the day before and being in
alignment with the Will of God. I am purpose-driven and only concerned with completing my assignment before my time on this earth is done.