About Us

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Vonetta M. Smith       President
Lisa Harrison             Vice-President
Jill Paul                     Treasurer
Rachelle Lee              Secretary

Kamari Collins
Kimothy Jones

STAFF
L'Kuicha Parks               Executive Artistic Director
Tiffany Morgan              Administrative Coordinator
James H. Lightfoot III    Assistant to Director/ Teacher
Maurice Clark                Choreographer
Caren Carter McKenzie   Art Instructor

Donna R. Ivy                 CEO of ELM & Associates/Management Consultant

L'Kuicha Parks
Founder / Executive Artistic Director

Mission Statement

JELUPA Productions, Inc. is a vehicle for cultivating and addressing the needs of minority artists in the greater Springfield area. We bring quality productions that showcase, relate and involve minority artists to the area. JELUPA Productions will showcase works of social, spiritual and cultural values, as well as educate and entertain.

History of JELUPA Productions, Inc.

In the early 1990’s, after settling back in Springfield, MA, L’Kuicha (Leslie) Parks noticed that there were not many vehicles for minority artists to showcase and/or perform their craft(s). A performing artist herself, she found it discouraging and difficult to understand why there was such a lack of quality African American and other minority theater outlets in this area.

In 1992, Ms. Parks decided to put together a show called DAY OF ABSENCE by Douglas Turner Ward. She brought together members of the Springfield community that had a desire to perform. Needing a name for the theatrical group, Ms. Parks decided to establish JELUPA Theater Company honoring her mother and father, Jesse and Lucille Parks. The two performances were presented at The Fuller Arts Auditorium on the campus of Springfield College. There was an art/sculpture exhibition held in the lobby of the theater that also showcased local artists.

During the next few years Ms. Parks kept honing her skills working with an educational touring company, performing and teaching in school systems up and down the East coast. She began working with other theater companies and was asked to consult on special projects by community organizations.

In 2000, Ms. Parks read a play, BEFORE IT HITS HOME by Cheryl L. West and was moved by it so much she knew it needed to be seen. The play is about a jazz singer who finds out he has AIDS and what happens to his relationships with lovers, friends and family. Again she set out to put a cast together, find rehearsal space, find performance space, footing the bills and so on. She noticed that what she was truly doing was not just directing but also producing these shows. So JELUPA Productions was formed.

In February 2001, JELUPA Productions presented BEFORE IT HITS HOME at Scibelli Hall on the campus of Springfield Technical Community College a 250+ seat auditorium. Many of the performances were full to capacity. Health organizations set up tables in the lobby with information and educational material concerning HIV/AIDS. There was also a doctor who spoke and answered questions for the audience during intermission. The show received rave reviews and was held over for an extended run.

The next show was in 2003; JAR THE FLOOR by Cheryl L. West. This was co-produced by Chrysalis Theater Company from Northampton and also stared Ms. Parks. It was held at Fuller Arts Auditorium at Springfield College. During this period, Donna R. Nelson-Ivy, President & CEO of ELM and Associates came on board serving in the capacity of management consultant.

In 2004, THE COLORED MUSEUM by George C. Wolfe was produced and directed by L’Kuicha (Leslie) Parks of JELUPA Productions, Inc. Wanting to possibly have a dinner theater atmosphere JELUPA choose to showcase this performance at the Network International. It ran for three weeks in the spring. Because of the great response to the shows we brought it back in the fall and performed 6 shows at The Waterfront. (both venues in the heart of the urban community of Springfield)

In 2005, JELUPA Productions produced FLYIN' WEST by Pearl Cleage at American International College. There were 8 performances and again it was very well received.

In January 2006 JELUPA Productions, Inc. was formed.

Our major project for 2006 was held downtown in the City of Springfield at CityStage and JELUPA Productions, Inc., for the month of October presented BEFORE IT HITS HOME once again. Because HIV/AIDS is having a dramatic impact on African American women, JELUPA thought it critically important to help with getting the intervention, prevention and containment message out to people of color specifically.

In 2007, JELUPA Productions, Inc. moved into their home at 339 State Street at the Basilica of Holy Apostles.

JELUPA Productions, Inc. is committed to the Springfield community. 90% of the actors and crews utilized are Springfield residents or former residents.

JELUPA Productions, Inc. was awarded the 501(c) 3 non profit organization status in 2006.

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