Corneliusjones,jr.
Actor-Writer-Educator who uses art and performance as a medium for intervention and social change. Originally from Richmond, VA, he holds a Masters of Arts Degree from New York University with a focus in Dramatic Writing, Educational Theater (Theatre of The Oppressed), and Performance. He is a Newington Cropsey Fellow, a 2010 Lorraine Hansberry – Nia Award Recipient, and is the first Graduate Student of New York University to be awarded the Leo Bronstein Homage Award. As an entreprenuer and Artivist he is the creator of the new auto-bio-docu performance piece HomoAffection: Memories of a Nature Boy as well as FlagBoy, an autobiographical one-man show, which earned him a 2008 Midtown International Theater Festival Nomination for Outstanding Performance in a Solo-Show, a Capital Fringe Festival 2009 “Best of Fest” award awarded by DCTheaterscene.com, and was featured in August 2009 on National Public Radio (NPR). As a writer, his poems “Momma Said…(A Hard Life)” and “Chicken N Shrimp Gumbo” appears in The 2008 and 2009 Writers Place Poetry Review. He’s a contributing writer for the Black Gay Men’s Network, TheBlackTraveler.com and co-founder of TheFutureForward.net, in which his weekly column, Arts.Advocacy+Wellness with Cornelius Jones Jr., appears every Wednesday. Additionally he serves as a teaching artist for Opening Act New York as well as a visiting resident teaching artist for The Boys and Girls Club of Washington, D.C.’s Teen Arts Performers Edutainment Camp. He has also been featured on the Broadway stage and television/film in shows such as The Lion King, Smokey Joe’s Café, Law & Order: SVU, and is featured in the upcoming LOGO & GILEAD sponsored PSA “I AM LIVING MY TRUTH.” His current performance works are based in oral history of black southern culture while exploring the intersections of sexuality, gender, spirituality, and HIV/AIDS. Look out for more new works and workshops by visiting him online at: www.corneliusjonesjr.com.
“Turn Your Pain into Art 1: What’s your Flag?”
A workshop exploring identity, anti-bullying, affirming the self, and building a better community by using theater based and performance techniques which consists of: storytelling (oral history), interactive activities, and movement techniques, and spoken-word. Facilitated through energetic and positive communal dialogue and collaboration these creative problem solving and self-reflective skills aim to potentially help you discover your Flag (Personal Pride & Self-Empowerment).
AFRO-BEAT DANCE CARDIO: The WORKOUT
Ever want the dance workout like the popular reality show Dance your A$# off? Well this is the class for you.
A Physical workout using Afro-Caribbean, jazz, and modern dance techniques all set to Afro-Beat music. This class is for everyone and will operate at the group’s speed. Instructor will give modifications for those who are not comfortable moving, however, the goal is to get you moving and unleash your mental limitations by engaging and empowering your body physically. Using varied dance techniques this will feel like an intense cardio workout but you will leave with basic understanding of dance and the physical body and a guaranteed sweat!
Acting & Movement from Within: Performing the self while Crafting the Personal Monologue and Choreo-Poem for Performance, by exploring and using varied methods of acting, movement, and creative writing techniques. All work will be crafted from personal experience. This is a safe way to discover and explore your true talent and your individual voice.
"Turn Your Pain Into Art" - Cornelius Jones Jr.
Never lose Your Joy and Life in Life
Don't worry about making it Right.....
Be Life...Live Life...Dance Life...Sing Life...Paint Life.
Never Lose Your Joy and Life. -Cornelius Jones Jr.
Life has Lessons for all our needs.We must seek to find the seed
As we strive to live with peace
Just remember to breathe...AND FLY!
-Cornelius Jones Jr.
" FlagBoy and/or HomoAffection would be a great piece to present for your community. Both shows explore the human condition with ideas and issues surrounding identity and how LGBT identified and same-gender loving people express and affirm our identities amongst life adversities and triumphs. It celebrates humanity, sexuality, spirituality, and the human spirit. The topics and questions presented in each work are universal and the conversation includes people of all sexual and cultural identities. It is an engaging and exciting performance that will not only inspire the masses but will educate while keeping you entertained and connected to the beauty of LIFE! .
" his writing and plays are a revolt against silence . It is a great platform to support the work of those looking for creative ways to address bullying. Like he states, “Medicine is not the only way to find a cure to HIV/AIDS, just as important is finding a method to erase the stigma and save lives.” By using his artistic power, he opens the door for conversation, empathy and love.
" 60-minutes of brilliantly witty personal stories set by a mixture of period music and pop culture references. His account of the circumstances surrounding his father's homophobia, his mother's acceptance and a first love's betrayal seek and land with instant connections. From his urgent childhood desire for MC Hammer pants to his first boy crush to the first time he sets eyes a on gay club, Jones's colorfully selected flashbacks are reminiscent of oral histories past through gay generations. The fragments are powerfully familiar, yet unique. Flagboy is a testament to the power of triumph over the repercussions of one bad decision. A gentle reminder that life comes with its own plan–one filled with limitless opportunities for us to embrace with flags raised high. .