Everyone needs a hobby or outlet to release life’s steam. Taking a break to decompress before returning to mandatory tasks fights stress.
Margaret P. Bean, a fifty-nine-year-old community leader, award-winning director/playwright who hails from Laurel, Maryland makes it possible to do both. She provides local people from diverse work backgrounds spanning from schoolteachers to security officers, with opportunities to act and nurture their passion and acting hobby. Bean simultaneously allows them to bring powerful messages to the masses along to play patrons who show up to observe a slice of life acted out onstage through her company, MPB Entertainment.
“I wrote my first stage play in December 2016, titled “The Game Changer.” I had authored several books over the years, and after a podcast interview, I was asked ‘What’s next?’”
Bean blurted out the words, “a play.”
The creative entrepreneur said that she loves observing her written words come to life with the help of actors.
Empowering messages of hope, love and forgiveness are some of the themes that are prevalent in Bean’s plays. For example, “The Game Changer” addressed HIV awareness and healthcare.
“Treachery, Lies & Deception” is Bean’s latest work that has toured several cities and states.
She added, “‘Treachery, Lies & Deception’s’ message to the masses is dealing with mental health care awareness and domestic violence, topics we as a people do not like to talk about, but we all need help in some way. Nothing wrong with talking to a therapist and if you need to get medication then so be it but the key is to get help!”
The contract specialist by day remarked that she loves the cast of her plays. Some of whom call her “Ma.” Bean stated that she is blessed to meet exceptionally talented people from all over the world, but Bean also has a passion for giving local talent a chance to experience performing under lights and in front of audiences who want to take a theatrical outing.
Photo credit: Margaret P. Bean
Myesha Dione, who is new to acting, portrays “Shady Shanay Wells.” The actress identified the character as the jealous and battered wife of Justin Wells in “Treachery, Lies & Deception.” Dione remarked that Bean has said that she likes to give new actors opportunities to highlight their talents and get their feet wet in acting.
“She is quite supportive of actors in the Baltimore and Maryland area,” said Dione.
Bean stated,“I work with a lot of new talent and… help them develop into better actors.”
She added, “The most important investment is time, encouraging words and believing in them and their skills to bring about a great character is the best investment I can give.”
Photo credit: Otis Williams
Bean further explained that four Baltimoreans, Christian Blake; Regina “GinaG” Summers; Otis Williams; and Myesha Dione are in the current show. Most of the actors hail from the DMV area.
Otis Williams, a Baltimore City, Maryland resident, portrays “Reverend Love” in “Treachery, Lies & Deception.” He has been acting since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. Williams stated that he enjoys the process of creating a character and telling their story. His acting start was purely accidental. Williams stated that he filled in for an actor who tested positive for COVID-19 the day before the last day of a local theater production that his daughter participated in. The actor acquired an appreciation for character development.
“The beauty in creating the character and getting in tune with becoming this new person from the inside out is like being on a rollercoaster at an amusement park to me. I also want my art to touch lives and change them for the better,” Williams added.
Bean stays on the move. She has been hired to work on a few major projects and looks forward to retiring from touring and producing.
“Only God knows the future he has for me, so I wait for his purpose to manifest,” Bean said.
Dione, a native Baltimorean, wants people to come see the play.
“People should support this play because it conveys a story about the human
condition that everyone has either heard about, experienced or seen.”
“Treachery, Lies & Deception” will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2024 located at La Familia Sound Stage, 836 Guilford Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased from www.mpbentertainment.com.