The Destiny Theatre Experience

09/14/2024

The Cast of God's Trombones!

09/09/2024

Read about Shades of Black Theatre Festival!

Nashville On Stage in September

09/09/2024

09/09/2024

The cast of BUFFALO SOLDIER by Mitch Hale (left to right):
Jamil Parrish - Kewconda
Tony Insignares - Quanah
Jalen Dukes - Williams
Jack Chambers - Cooney
Joel Diggs - Wymo
Shawn Whitsell - Director / Stage Directions

09/08/2024

BUFFALO SOLDIER (staged reading).
Written by Mitch Hale
Directed by Shawn Whitsell
Presented by Destiny Theatre Experience for the Shades of Black Theatre Festival.
Sunday, September 8th at 3 pm.
Admission: Donation of any amount at the door!

09/07/2024

Shout out to a very special artist and human being who has contributed to the longevity and success of DTE in numerous ways throughout the years. She's been an actor, director, producer, stage manager, costume designer, light/sound board operator, box office worker, errand runner, sounding board, supporter, cheerleader, and anything else you can think of for and . She works hard. She's uber-thoughtful and creative. She cares deeply about the work she does. DTE isn't DTE without the heart and soul of people like Candace-Omnira (). We thank you for all you do for the company, and we applaud all you do for the greater Nashville theatre community and beyond. We love you!

08/07/2024

06/26/2024

DTE would like to wish Mr. Jalen Dukes. { } a Happy Birthday! Jalen has appeared onstage in a number of DTE shows over the past six years, including PILL HILL, PAPA WAS..., NOWHERE NEXT TO NORMAL, THE D***, and STICK FLY, as well as staged readings and other special projects. In addition to his talent, Jalen is a hardworking, consistent, focused, reliable, humble, and thoughtful actor who is always wonderful to work with. 🎉🎉🎉

04/10/2024

Ella Bato in HAUNT (Sneak Peek)

04/07/2024

HAUNT (Sneak Peek)
Written by Ruben Estevez
Directed by Shawn Whitsell
Music Direction by Stephen Ku**er
Presented by Destiny Theatre Experience & Red Mango Production
Cast: .thinston

Full Production Coming In October!!!

04/07/2024

HAUNT (Sneak Peek)
Written by Ruben Estevez
Directed by Shawn Whitsell
Music Direction by Stephen Ku**er
Presented by Destiny Theatre Experience & Red Mango Production
Cast: .thinston

Full Production Coming In October!!!

03/28/2024

Happy World Theatre Day!

03/21/2024

Introducing the cast of HAUNT (Sneak Peek):

Audrey Venable as MONICA
Ella Bato as SARAH
Susannah Winspear Hallagan as HELEN
Dustin Davis as MAX
Craig Michael Cartwright as SAMUEL
Grant Weathington as PARKER

10/31/2023

Coming in the spring!
www.hauntthemusical.com

10/11/2023

In BLACK N BLUE BOYS / BROKEN MEN, DTE Founder, Shawn Whitsell, plays six different characters, of different ethnicities, ranging in age from 11 to 55. (The playwright intends for the piece to be done by one actor or an ensemble of actors of regardless of race, age, or gender.)

Instead of casting six actors, Shawn decided to challenge himself by playing all the characters and assembling an ensemble of directors. Each director directs a character.

Alicia Haymer directs the Mike scenes.
Diego Gomez directs the Flaco scenes.
Jaymes Campbell directs the Larry scene.
Nikki Staggs directs the Ian scenes.
Candace-Omnira directs the Timmy scene.
Tamiko Robinson Steele directs the Tenny scene.

(Candace-Omnira is also responsible for creative cohesive of the entire show.)

Stage Manager/Intern: Tyme Reign

Black N Blue Boys / Broken Men
By Dael Orlandersmith
Performed by Shawn Whitsell
Presented by Destiny Theatre Experience
Darkhorse Theater

Friday, November 17 at 7:30 pm
Satuday, November 18th at 7:30 pm

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-n-blue-boys-broken-men-tickets-735579266387?aff=oddtdtcreator

"Bold, beautiful and fierce-Dael Orlandersmith delivers a riveting story in Black n Blue Boys / Broken Men. This gritty play portrays five unforgettable male characters, linked by their efforts to forge identities in families fractured by abuse."

09/24/2023

DESTINED BEYOND!!!!

09/22/2023

Destined Beyond opens tonight.

09/20/2023

DESTINED BEYOND: An Immersive Theatre Journey. As with a museum or art gallery, attendees walk freely through the Darkhorse Theater building into different worlds, inhabited by characters in excerpts from a number of plays by playwright Shawn Whitsell. These live exhibits cover a broad range of issues, ranging from the hilarious to the heart-wrenching.

Directors: Nikki Staggs, Jaymes Campbell, James Rudolph II, Shawn Whitsell & Candace-Omnira.

Show times Friday, September 22nd and Satuday, September 30th. 7:30.

Tickets:

DESTINED BEYOND: An Immersive Theatre Journey.

09/20/2023

DESTINED BEYOND: An Immersive Theatre Journey. As with a museum or art gallery, attendees walk freely through the Darkhorse Theater building into different worlds, inhabited by characters in excerpts from a number of plays by playwright Shawn Whitsell. These live exhibits cover a broad range of issues, ranging from the hilarious to the heart-wrenching.

Directors: Nikki Staggs, Jaymes Campbell, James Rudolph II, Shawn Whitsell & Candace-Omnira.

Show times Friday, September 22nd and Satuday, September 30th. 7:30.

Tickets!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/destined-beyond-tickets-720147028147?aff=oddtdtcreator

09/05/2023

Shades of Black Theatre Festival mixer Tuesday, September 5th, 6 pm at the Darkhorse Theater, 4610 Charlotte Ave. Food, drinks, good vibes, and fellowship. FREE and open to the community. Bring a friend!

08/28/2023

"PAPA WAS..." behind the scenes

08/27/2023

Couldn't do it without our "Papa Was..." crew...

Set Designer: Shane Lowery
Lighting Board Op: Nikki Staggs
Stage Manager: LaTia L. Lewis
Lighting Design: Happy Allen
Production Assistant: Will Anthony

...

08/26/2023

The cast of PAPA WAS... (a play by Shawn Whitsell)

Jonathan Allen (Medgar) was born and raised in Chicago, Il. He came to Nashville to attend Tennessee State University. While there, he played in a student film called THE ROOSTER CROWS AT MIDNIGHT One of his cast mates asked him to be in a 5 minute play for her class. From there he was asked to be in a summer stock play ROMEO AND JULIET directed by Barry Scott. After his run with TSU summer stock, he joined Dream 7 a year or two later. There he became a proud 10 year member of Dream 7. Recent plays are20th anniversary of CULTURAL MILLENNIUM and THE LAST CHANCE TEXCACO.

08/26/2023

The cast of PAPA WAS... (a play by Shawn Whitsell)

Cameron L. Mitchell (Huey) is a bilingual spoken word artist, actor, & modeling in magazines such as Lifeway and Fashion runways for Essence and NY fashion week. Cameron has written and produced the one man show BLACKBIRD that sheds light on the mental health.