Today we’d like to introduce you to Shirley Marie Pugh.
Hi Shirley Marie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
The middle schools in this area offer talent shows. As I watched my children when they were young, I noticed the audience (most parents), were disengaged unless their child’s act was on stage. I thought that was not respectable, (most stood outside) so I figured I could do something about it to change the vibe. I had an idea, that would leave no child behind, so I volunteered to become a talent show host, guiding the kids to perform in a new styled and fully entertaining show in 1998.
I gave my pitch at a certain school, ,and after the first year, the principal got so excited he gave me $1000 budget the following year to make it happen again. And it was successful again. All I did was create a story based theme, and once they had 20 acts in place, I contacted all the disappointed kids that tried out and didn’t make it to work with me on this new way. They weee so excited as it gave them a second chance to perform.. I gave them new roles to create a full storyline around students that had the Acts for the original talent show. And as they say, the rest is history.
JTB Stage Productions concentrates on helping kids learn to be socially adaptable, while giving them a chance to be in the spotlight and perform to a live audience.
This program gives kids a balance, Especially since the arts have pretty much been cut out of most school districts. My plan is to take this to as many states that will receive it, and to fly and help them pull the program together for their own communities. .As I work to reach more communities, it has become my mission. I truly believe people are in need of something to be excited about, The anticipation of such a powerful program makes people feel a joy I cannot explain, but I’ve seen it on many faces after the productions.
I have written around 15 scripts that were successfully performed and have been repeatedly at a few venues.
.Thanks you for the opportunity to share!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road at all. At first people gave me a hard time complaining that I was changing the status quo. There were times that I wanted to give up because this district had so many rules and guidelines about volunteers that it made me feel discouraged when I was trying to build the concept.
A few years ago, after doing these shows and being called by schools to come in and change the face of their talent shows, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I battled it for a while, and I became very sick, which my family and I kept under wraps throughout the students rehearsals. Recently, because of the pandemic, things slowed down in the community. After a few years of dealing with this change, I considered retiring. As I moved forward, praying about the decision I was about to make, I was spiritually led to continue going, and to never quit. With that said, many parents, teachers, friends, and my children continued to encourage me to bring it back after so long. So that’s exactly what I’m doing. I’ve redesigned the program to reach more students to help encourage them to follow their dreams. I hope to reach others that will also be inspired to take it and run with it, bringing it to many other communities.
Again, thank you for encouraging me to share.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’ am known for taking what kids are good at, and bringing it to light on stage. I’m also known for creating a twist on common fairy tales and stories I’ve directed because I like to bring the element of surprise to the audience. I like things to be funny, unexpected, and unique.
I feel what sets me apart from others is I have a deep connection with God as he healed my illness completely, and gave me dreams to continue what I’m doing.
I truly believe there’s a reason he healed me and directed me to such a passionate purpose. Directing the productions breath fresh life into me.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
My personality was always creative as a child I oil painted when I got frustrated with things around me, I put on shows in our backyard for the neighborhood kids just to keep everyone excited about something, as I was a military Air Force child. I was in a model at 16 when I learned from the modeling school, I was attending, that anything is possible if you believed it to be so. That perspective changed my whole life, as I was a quiet person from youth until that point.
I joined the Navy to see the world, got married, had kids, and always carried The vision of helping children who are shy, insecure, or withdrawn, because that was me for so long.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jtbstageproductions.com
Image Credits
A fire conveying a workshop coming up to teach students how to act on the spot
