About |
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT
SHYWANEE L. MANSON
Author and Playwright, Shywanee L. Manson, is originally from Harvey, Illinois, a far South Chicago suburb.
In 2003, after writing the poem, Apology From One Sista’ To Another, she noticed that the piece was recognized by women all over, who would comment that they had experienced such dilemmas as depicted in the prose. As a result, she decided to turn the poem into a book, her first novel, entitled Apology From One Sista’ To Another which she decided to self-publish. The book has since become very popular, with Shywanee selling the product mainly through word of mouth.
Through encouragement from family and friends and with the increasing knowledge that the topic of her book was one women across the country could relate to, it was suggested that she turn the book into a stage play.
On May 25 thru May 28 and June 1 thru June 4, 2006, the stage play Apology From One Sista To Another, hosted by WGCI’s Nikki Woods, debuted at The Duncan Theatre located at 1001 W. Roosevelt Road in Chicago (directed by Lawrence Wallace, writer/producer of Urban Scenze). The stage play was designed also to further promote the book. Shywanee has also completed a Screenplay for her book.
In March of 2006, Shywanee was a panelist of the How To Forgive and Let Go Seminar at the V103 Expo For Today's Black Woman, which also featured author, Terry McMillian. She was also a special guest on Zelda Robinson's television show, Zelda Speaks, and a special guest on The Other Winfrey Show hosted by Earl Winfrey. In 2008 and 2009, Shywanee participated in 220 Communications’ book fairs, book signings, and has held panel discussions for the company’s Authors and Artists event, featuring Omar Tyree. She has been featured in Rolling Out Magazine, and her stage play received a rave review in the North Lawndale Newspaper and several websites.
In 2007, Shywanee was chosen for Chicago's Principal For A Day arranged by Chicago's Mayor Richard J. Daley and has been asked to bring her stage play to the Chicago Public High Schools. In 2007, Shywanee and her original actors performed a free show for North Grand High School located on Chicago’s west side. Thereafter, Shywanee presented the stage play at The Herman Hall Conference in Chicago, IL. Apology From One Sista’ To Another, the stage play, was nominated for a Chicago Truth Award in the Best Stage Play category.
In mid 2010, Shywanee L. Manson gave the Apology play an inspirational touch and staged it on again on January 23, 2010 at the Harold Washington Cultural Center in Chicago, IL, starring Ryan Gentles of Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail. The play sold out to capacity.
Shywanee L. Manson staged her second stage play, My Sista’ I’m Sorry, which premiered January 22, 2011 at IIT, Herman Hall, 3241 S. Federal Street, Chicago, IL at 7:30 p.m.
She is now set to debut her third stage play, My Brotha', I Apologize on August 25, 2012, and release her second novel, No Apology For You, My Love on August 25, 2012.
Shywanee is now a ghostwriter and editor, and she continues to sell her novel via her website, all online book stores, and book signings throughout Chicagoland. She is also a columnist for Karl Ray’s Model Expressions magazine. She is a member of "Sisters n Thought" book club, and is the secretary of New Foundation Community Church in Markham, Illinois, of which she is a member. Shywanee continues to write and recite poetry, and is a noted spoken word artist who won a 106.3 (Call Letters) poetry contest and performed live on the station. She has also performed poetry at the UpNext! Show in Chicago, Prysmatic Dreams Poetry Show/The New Word Order Net Slams in South Carolina (www.prysmaticdreams.com) (www.thenewwordorder.com), Spoken Word CafePoetry Live, Secrets and other locations throughout the Chicagoland area.