Meet Dee Brooks of Deebone Productions in Oak Park

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dee Brooks.

Dee (Deebone) is the sole owner of Deebone Productions which was established in October 2003 when she was hired, with no experience, to represent a musician who was also a spoken word artist. A month later, to promote her client, she held citywide auditions for spoken word poets to perform in an upcoming show she created for the client called “Spoken Expressions”. The hired artists would perform and her artist would headline the show. Preparing for the upcoming show, she self-taught herself how to write contracts, design CD labels, create show programs, write press releases, design tickets and flyers. She also designed and sewed her and her client’s outfits for the first show. \

Since “Spoken Expressions” was a sell-out, it was followed by “Spoken Expressions II” and “Spoken Expressions: The Show” the following 2 months. In April 2004, Deebone Productions staged her first stage play My Father, My Father”, which was a 2 man show written and perform by her client and another actor. The play received overwhelming positive comments from nine Community Actor Judges. The Judges described it as excellent, captivating, magnificent, profound, moving, awesome, professional, outstanding, superb, superior, extremely emotional incredible and done-perfectly. It was these comments which led Deebone Productions to receive the Aubrey Judge’s Award on behalf of actors and director. When her client moved to Los Angeles, she continued producing locally, expanding show selections to Comedy Shows and Variety Shows.

In 2006, Deebone wrote and stage her first original stage play entitled “Memories of Best Friends” which is slated to be staged again next year, 2018. In 2007, she wrote an original musical revue vignette “Vanilla, Chocolate and Caramel, Too!”. The following year, she opened “Sews and Shows” theatre in Lemon Grove. She also produced “FADS” (Fashion Auction Dinner Show) for her seamstress sister. Her next original musical revue vignette she wrote was “Choo, Choo”, staged in 2010 which is when Deebone assumed part of the Directing and Choreographer role. The next 3 shows she wrote were “Harlem Today” staged in June 2013, “Whatcha’ Gonna Get” staged in 2014 and “Read My Lips” staged in 2017, all provided a twist to the vignettes introducing more skits without music thus no longer advertising her shows as a musical revue.

Deebone’s acting debut occurred this year in “Read My Lips”, in which she was also the director, choreographer, producer and songwriter. Deebone holds a Business Marketing degree from the University of Phoenix and is employed full time as a Business Systems Analyst…

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Since I am still employed fulltime and I am also a part-time caregiver for a parent, there are times of gaps between many of my productions. Also, Deebone Production does not have any employees and is not a 501 business. As the sole proprietor, I totally finance all aspects of my company. Also, I do not have volunteers. All those who are a part of a Deebone Production show (actors, musicians, lighting techs, sound techs, stage manager, comedians, etc.) are paid. I also had to close my theatre “Sews and Shows” and must rely on theater availability as oppose to staging a show any day at any time at my own theatre. Performer reliability can also be a challenge.

Please tell us about Deebone Productions.
Deebone Productions was established in 2003. I stage affordable and entertaining productions including plays, spoken word, comedy, talent and variety shows. I am a playwright, director, choreographer and producer.

I specialize in writing a variety of original vignettes which vary from edgy, thought-provoking, comical, suggestive, dramatic, tune catchy or a variety thereof…

I am most proud of audience feedback, faithful followers, starting shows timely, requests to use my material, requests to stage skits at other events and the show end result.

What sets me apart are my shows are vignettes which provides the audience 10 or mores shows all balled into one. Also, I give door prizes away at every single show.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Possibly sought a business partner who had the same drive and interest.

Contact Info:

• Address: P.O.Box 152286 San Diego CA
  92195-2286
• Website: www.deeboneproductions.com
• Phone: (619) 978-2000
• Email: distributionlist@deeboneproductions.com
• Instagram: inquiries@deeboneproductions.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deeboneproductions

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