Today we’d like to introduce you to Ursula V. Battle.
Hi Ursula V., we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey as a Playwright and Producer began unexpectedly in the 1990s following a conversation with my mother, Vashtied Battle-Brown. At the time, my mother was a teacher in the Baltimore City Public School System. We had gone to see the play, Shelly Garrett’s Beauty Shop. That evening, my mother said, “You should write a play about teachers.”
That one statement changed the course of my life. I began writing a play about teachers based on the experiences of my mother, other educators, my experiences as a student in the Baltimore City Public School System, as a journalist who covered Education and other areas, and just life in general.
I settled on centering the story center around ‘The Teachers’ Lounge’ that special gathering place for educators. This was where they gathered during their lunch break, stopped in for a quick break, relaxed for few precious moments – and of course shared their stories. Thus, my first stage play, Ursula V. Battle’s The Teachers’ Lounge’ was born!
After working on the play on and off for several years, I finally completed the script. I decided to let some friends and colleagues read the script. They thought I had something special and suggested I put the show up. The readers also included actor Charles ‘Roc’ Dutton who also loved the script and even came to a Reading.
Several people recommended I contact Cheryl Pasteur (now a Maryland State Delegate) to direct the show. She worked in Education and also was a Theatrical Director and actress. I thought she would be a perfect fit.
I contacted Cheryl, and she loved the script. After script edits by Cheryl, rewrites, readings auditions, casting, and other tedious parts of the process, The Teachers’ Lounge was on its way to hitting the stage! The show debuted before sell-out crowds and to rave reviews in September 2001 at Coppin State University’s James Weldon Johnson Auditorium.
What started as a conversation with my mother quickly became a major success under Cheryl’s outstanding directorship and opened my eyes to the power of storytelling through Theater and how it could be used not only to entertain – but to educate, enlighten, and encourage. The Teachers’ Lounge also provided a platform to share issues that teachers constantly contend with – overcrowded classrooms, a lack of books and supplies, off-the-hook parents, and more – while dealing with their own personal challenges around health, finances, family, and more.
Since that time, I have written and presented well over 30 stage plays, which continue to draw sell-out audiences and rave reviews. These shows have included: DisChord in The Choir: Pitch Please!; Serenity House: From Addiction to Deliverance; My Big Phat Ghetto FABULE$$ Wedding; The Homegoing Service For A Man Named Jesus; and my newest work – Desperate Housewives of The Bible: The Old, The Bold & The Beautiful.
Their rich blend of uplifting ministry, rafter-raising Gospel singing, thought-provoking drama, side-splitting comedy, unforgettable characters, and anthems of hope and praise juxtaposed with moving, and thought-provoking storylines have been our recipe for success.
I have authored a book entitled Serenity House: From Addiction to Deliverance based on the award-winning play. This work has also drawn excellent reviews and inspired its readers. The book, much like its theatrical namesake, illustrates the power of human resilience, transformation through forgiveness, the power of faith, and the supernatural ability through God to overcome.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has not always been smooth – but the journey been rewarding.
Writing and producing stage plays requires serious multi-tasking and the ability to wear many hats at once. This includes writing, producing, marketing, organizing, and problem-solving. One of the biggest struggles has been presenting large-scale productions without major sponsorship or corporate funding. My favorite scripture is 2 Corinthians 5:7 – “We walk by faith and not by sight.” I have lived this scripture.
It began with The Teachers’ Lounge. I had never written or produced a stage play. The show’s progression from my mother’s suggestion to Showtime! took a tremendous amount of faith, persistence, sacrifice, resilience – and of course money.
Producing live events comes with countless moving parts, financial risks, logistical challenges, hours of research, and behind-the-scenes action that audiences never see. Such things require tenacity, determination, hard work, teamwork, patience, and communication skills. These are all a part of my personal make-up, and true to my last name, I ‘Battle’ through the tests trusting in the Lord and believing wholeheartedly that He will make a way.
There are also unexpected events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the cancellation of shows in 2020 and 2021. Monies had already been spent on marketing and talent. Along with the pandemic came the slow process of audiences becoming comfortable once again with gathering publicly in large numbers. These were among the challenges.
But, challenges have strengthened my determination. They taught me how to adapt, innovate, pivot, and most of all – trust God. In retrospect, every challenge has become part of the foundation that helped me grow spiritually, personally, and professionally.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Playwright and Producer. In my professional life,. I am a Journalist and Media Specialist. I am also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. My newspaper reporting career includes serving as a Staff Writer for both The Baltimore AFRO-American Newspaper and The Baltimore Times. On the theatrical side, I specialize in writing and producing my own original Gospel Stage plays through my company Battle Stage Plays.
Battle Stage Plays’ rich blend of uplifting ministry, soul-stirring Gospel singing, edge-of-your-seat drama, side-splitting comedy, unforgettable characters, relatable life-experiences, and thought-provoking storylines has garnered a large, loyal fanbase eager to come out to support and see our shows time and time again. Our shows speak to the heart – relatable stories of faith, resilience, redemption, and joy.
One of my biggest areas of success has been our modern-day presentation of biblical stories. This includes the groundbreaking Desperate Housewives of The Bible: The Old, The Bold & The Beautiful. Featuring some of the Old Testament’s most well-known women, the show even has its own original soundtrack. The goal is to bring Ministry to audiences in creatively innovative ways while also staying true to the stories of The Bible.
I am most proud of the life-changing impact our productions have had on people. This includes people coming down the aisles after a show and giving their lives to Christ. Through Serenity House: From Addiction to Deliverance people have given up their addictions, learned how easy it is to fall into addiction, and let go of unforgiveness. Through Desperate Housewives of The Bible: The Old, The Bold & The Beautiful and The Homegoing Service For A Man Named Jesus, people are expanding their biblical knowledge and picking up their Bibles. Through DisChord in The Choir: Pitch Please! people not only experience the hilarious antics of church choirs, but also the painful impact of gun violence.
What sets me apart from others is my writing ability – a gift naturally placed in me by God. My writing reflects my strong Christian beliefs. I know God is real. I am simply a vessel creatively carrying forth God’s Word through the gifts he has given me.
A story written by Ursula V. Battle is going to have its own style, voice and uniqueness. Such natural abilities may be imitated…but never truly duplicated.
People of all backgrounds and walks of life can relate to the elements of the stories presented through our productions. Some of the many complex issues covered in our shows have included drug and other addictions; police brutality; human sex trafficking; violence; and unforgiveness. Yet, the simplicity of the way they are presented in such an immersive, entertaining way is what helps set a Battle Stage Plays production apart from all the others.
My work brings together themes of faith, family, fortitude and forgiveness in an authentic and emotionally-engaging way that has captivated audiences. We pride ourselves on the fact that our shows are not simply plays – they are spiritual experiences. Our shows bring people together locally and nationally as our fans travel from New York, Washington, North Carolina, Texas and other areas to see our shows. They laugh, cry, reflect and leave inspired, uplifted and encouraged. Good word-of-mouth has also been instrumental in drawing sell-out crowds.
I am also proud of creating opportunities for performers and our production teams to showcase their talents through Battle Stage Plays. This includes our remarkable Theatrical Director Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch. Dr. Branch and I have been working together on shows since we were first introduced approximately 14 years ago by cast member Dravon James. We have made a wonderful team. People have dubbed us ‘The Dynamic Duo of Theater.”
Battle Stage Plays – with its dazzling, God-given display of talent, along with its outstanding cast and crew – shines light into dark places, builds bridges across communities, and uses the Performing Arts as a vehicle for spiritual and social change. We are Theater with a Divine Calling who take to the stage to transform lives – one play at a time.
There is an audience of people hungry to see wonderful shows which speak to the heart, mind, and spirit, and we have successfully tapped into that niche.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I am the granddaughter of the late Rev. William Nelson Stokes, who founded New Hope Baptist Church, 850 Harlem Avenue in Baltimore. My father, the late Minister John Battle was a Master Barber who owned a barbershop in Sandtown/Winchester called Battle’s Barber Shop on N. Mount Street. I grew up in the Black Baptist Church, and this had a profound impact on me. My ministerial, entrepreneurship, and determination roots run deep and are reflected in my work.
I have also named some of my show’s characters after some of my family members and friends!
Most people probably don’t know I am an avid gardener who loves to plant! Some of my most poignant and powerful pieces of writing including a profound piece in Serenity House: From Addiction to Deliverance entitled “The Root” (“The Rut”), was derived and inspired while pulling weeds and planting.
Pricing:
- Pricing varies depending on the production, venue, and event format. Typically, we keep our prices very affordable, even offering Early Bird Tickets as low as $15.
- General Admission Tickets typically cost $20-$30.
- VIP Tickets typically cost $50-$60.
- We also have churches and other organizations that bring us in to perform our shows as part of their fundraising endeavors. This includes the upcoming June 27th and June 28th performances of Desperate Housewives of The Bible: The Old, The Bold & The Beautiful. The show is being presented by One God One Thought Center for Better Living in Windsor Mill, Maryland as part of their 32nd Church Anniversary and features D’Atra Hicks and Letricia Loftin.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.battlestageplays.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/battlestageplays
- Facebook: https://ww.facebook.com/battlestageplays
- Twitter: UrsulaV.Battle@battlestageplay
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@battlestageplays
- Other: https://form.jotform.com/battlestageplays/joinourmailinglist
