Meet Bertha Lynn Davis | Playwright, Certified Life Coach, Public Speaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bertha Lynn Davis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bertha Lynn, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I did not set out to pursue a career in the arts, the arts pursued me! Since I was a child I loved to entertain, but that was “child’s play”, right? When you grow up poor, the arts are an extra curricular activity only and instead you have to get a “real job”. Nonetheless the characters in my mind beckoned to be put to paper and brought to life by talented actors. As a playwright I’m focused on two things: 1) To leave light, humor, and my truth in the world and 2) To give talented actors the opportunity to share their brilliance with the world and to affirm for them that they are where they belong.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career was spent in Corporate. Once I graduated, some say ‘retired’, I pursued my playwriting career full throttle. I am happy to say I completed writing a full length play that was performed to three sold out shows! The journey was a “good hard” – sleepless nights, last minute changes, budget constraints, self doubt, and balancing my play with other commitments made things hard. Yet, the euphoria I felt just knowing that I was working on my dream made the hard work painless. First, I braced myself for the unexpected so that I was never surprised by hurdles. They were never as hard as what I made up in my mind (one thing we creatives have is a big imagination!). I also leveraged my village to help me versus trying to do everything on my own. The play was my baby and it was hard to let things go, but similar to my experience as a parent I knew my baby would thrive if surrounded by a supportive community vs a lone wolf. In the end I am grateful for the experience and I am excited about what lies ahead.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

For a super good time I’d definitely be sure to include the following:

FUN-N-GAMES
– Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame – fun (free) way to get our steps in with this outdoor interactive display.

• Share memories listening to old school R&B as we get on during adult skate at The Place.
• Salsa on the Square
• Stage play at any of the many local theaters
• Sandbox VR

WIND DOWN

• Soothe our achy muscles at Massage Odyssey Wellness; best massage and value in town!
• Ambiance for drinks and mani pedi
• A walk through Eden Park and enjoy scenery of the Ohio River.
• Try a new recipe with exotic ingredients from Jungle Jim’s
• Feed our spirit with hand clapping gospel singing and word for the soul at Beulah Missionary Baptist Church

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
On my journey to being a playwright I must give shout out to Tisha Griffith, Playwright and Film maker, who is a mentor and firm supporter. And shoutout to Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative for welcoming me and providing helpful critique to my writings and giving me an opportunity to present my work on the Fifth Third Bank Theater.

Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
Peggy Harmeyer