A Blessing in Disguise / the Seasons of Life

By Jovial Smith

Writing my two plays, titled A Blessing in Disguise and The Seasons of Life, has inspired me in different ways. I wrote both plays with the intention of demonstrating my songwriting, poetry, and artistic skills. I have learned that even though I have cerebral palsy, there is no end to what I can do. In other words, I never limit myself because I have a physical challenge. I have been blessed with the ability to use my hands and mind to create and inspire. Writing these songs took focus and dedication. I was able to bring some of the characters to life by adding poetry because it shows his or her emotions. I believe everyone has been endowed by God with distinctive characteristics, gifts, and talents in order that he or she may fulfill his or her God-given purpose in life. I enjoy developing my talents. Hopefully, through my hard work and efforts, I will inspire others to pursue his or her dreams. I exercise and keep myself fit. I have always wanted to stand straight and tall on my own, and miraculously, the other day I did. I have a bachelors degree in Creative Writing and a masters degree in English Literature (East Carolina Alumni Class of 2008, Greenville, North Carolina). I continue to strive and keep myself informed of world changes. I also find that it is gratifying to be able to share a talent or a skill with others. My areas of expertise include writing and proofreading. Genres I typically work with include poetry, short stories, fiction, nonfiction, and newsletters. Im the author and editor of the play Blackberry Molasses.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Nov 14, 2017
• ISBN: 9781532033032

Jovial Smith

Jovial Smith is a Play writer who incorporates her Artistic and Poetry abilities into her second play titled “A Blessing in Disguise.” and third play titled “Seasons of Life” Jovial wants this play to be different from her previous one titled “Blackberry Molasses.”( it is different/JS) Ms. Smith diligently studied the fundamentals of “Art” which helped her develops the first story. She envisions incorporating “Art” “Music”, and “Poetry,” into this book.. Jovial has used her artistic abilities to illustrate some of the scenes (Your art is shown but doesn’t illustrate scenes in the play) in the play. Therefore it is her intent to give her readers an unique perspective of art. This multi talented writer also has written songs for the play as well. Ms. Smith’s intent is to give her audience not only an informative view of art, but different viewpoints of the characters within the play. Hopefully after reading “A Blessing In Disguise and Seasons of Life , the readers will be inspired and intrigued.

Book preview

2017 by Jovial Nicole Smith.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

iUniverse

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.iuniverse.com

1-800-Authors (1-800-288-4677)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-5320-3302-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-3303-2 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-3304-9 (hc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017914477

iUniverse rev. date: 11/09/2017

24884.png

FIRST PLAY

0-2%20PAINTING%20BLESSING%20IN%20%20%20DISGUISE_pass_v2.psd

A BLESSING IN DIGUISE

by

Jovial Nicole Smith

Contents

A Blessing in Diguise

ACT ONE

Sunrise Over The Golden

City of Endless Possibilities

ACT ONE Scene 1 The backside of the apartment complex

ACT ONE Scene 2 Destinee’s Art Studio

ACT ONE Scene 3 Art Institute.

ACT ONE Scene 4 Sculpture

ACT ONE Scene 5 Expressionism

ACT TWO

Dreams and Stories That Are Not Deferred By Circumstances

ACT TWO Scene 1 Downtown Chicago

ACT TWO Scene 2 A Story Untold

ACT TWO Scene 3 The Quiet Before The Storm

ACT TWO Scene 4 A Test of Faith

ACT TWO Scene 5 A Call To Ericka

ACT THREE

The Awakening of Gifts and Talents

ACT THREE Scene 1 The Gifts and Talented Blessings Theatre.

ACT THREE Scene 2 Revelation

A Blessing In Disguise

Book Dedication

I want to dedicate my play entitled A Blessing In Disguise to my family and friends. I also want to dedicate my play to individuals who have disabilities and limitations such as myself. Despite, anyone’s limitations and setbacks, I believe he or she can do anything that they put their minds to. With best said, I believe that everyone has gifts and talents. It is also my belief that you can do anything you put your mind to, no matter who you are or where you come from. An individual’s social status does not define his or her destiny. I wrote this particular play to inspire individuals to pursue his or her dreams.

(Jovial Smith)

A Blessing In Disguise

Prologue

This play is about a thirty year old inspiring Artist named Destinee Jones, who lives in Chicago Illinois. Destinee is a single mother with two children named Brianna and Marques. She lives in a two bedroom apartment on the tenth floor. Destinee is an Art Director at A Blessing In Disguise Art Institute of Chicago for troubled young adults who have been given another opportunity to live their lives. Although Destinee is a single mother struggling to keep food on the table, she’s optimistic and starts focusing on her abilities. In the mist of her pursuing her dream of becoming an artist, she comes across a middle aged couple named Joseph and Nicole who appears homeless. Joseph and Nicole lives three blocks away from Destinee. As several months goes by, Destinee develops a close friendship with the couple. She will also experience a minor milestone which she’ll overcome with the help of Joseph and Nicole. These two vital couple will play major role in a huge event that will change her family’s lives forever.

A Blessing In Disguise is a story which symbolizes hope, diligence, compassion, strength, gratitude, a second chance, and grace. These characteristics will be shown throughout the play that will hopefully paint a vivid picture of these three main characters as the plot thickens. This particular play illustrates the meaning of a blessing in disguise. In this scenario, we will see individuals who hardly know each other form a connection through interactions with one another. These individuals’ connections are important because it leads up to a miraculous event at the end.

A Blessing In Disguise

Setting

The story takes place in Chicago. It’s mid-summer and the scenery is beautiful. The clouds in the sky are bouncy and large. These massive white clouds are unique because at times there is an illusion of two hands reaching out of the clouds accompanied by sunlight ascending through them. Chicago’s busy street noises sound like a symphony orchestra at a grand opening of a popular show. Chicago can be a city known for dreams and promises. Chicago downtown area and along the lake is filled with tall skyscrapers that seem to settle in the clouds. Atmospheric clarity is seldom seen in Chicago… Pollution of city lights closes off the vision of the multitude of stars above us..…making us unaware that we as most city dwellers seldom see the sky. So it is the clouds that disguise and enchant us…

The play entitled A Blessing In Disguise has five different themes, that are very vital to the play. The five themes which are very apparent throughout the play entitled A Blessing In Disguise are endless possibilities, dreams that are not deterred by circumstances, the quite before the storm, the awakening of gifts and talents, and blessings that pours out like rain.

ACT ONE

Sunrise Over The Golden

City of Endless Possibilities

ACT ONE Scene 1

The backside of the apartment complex

NARRATOR

(Children of all ethnicities run up and down this large parking lot, expressing a very unique art form.)

It’s a hot summer day in Chicago. Today the light blue sky is filled with white and gray clouds that display a bouncing sunlight and the faint passing illusion of a right hand in the center of them. The sunlight steadily beams throughout the streets. The smell of the warm windy air is bitter and sweet, along with the occasional smells from restaurants of bread, pizza, barbecue and various other succulent foods.

The sounds of beeping cars and children’s laughter fill the air. The back of the sandy brown building has a parking lot across the street filled with several empty trash cans… These children are making loud rhythmic noises with steel tin trash can lids. Out of all the children that are swiftly running around banging on trash cans. There is only one that has unusual rhythmic sounds that stand out beyond all of the others. He is the star for the day. His name is Marques Jones.

MARQUES

[Marques leaps on top of a trash can, shapes his hands like a fog horn

MARQUES (cont)

around his mouth, clears his throat, and yells…]

Can I have everyone’s attention please?

(chattering and laughter continues)

[Marques proceeds to climb on a taller steel trash can, clears his throat a second time and summons the kids again, looks up towards the sky and shouts at the top of his lunges]

Can I have everyone’s attention please?

[The chatter and laughter continue, Marques frustrated exhales, he plops down on the silver steel trash can and wipes the warm salty sweat which pours from his brow, with his red and white polo shirt,

and he glances around]

NARRATOR

At first, all Marques could see was the kids in motion, but as his eyes begin to focus on an object and idea comes to his mind.

[Marques reached for an old dark wooden pair of drums, takes the palm of his hands and starts beating on them, everyone becomes quiet]

MARQUES

Now that I have everyone’s attention, I want to know what you all think about creating a dance/art club.

KID #1

Um…yea.. how are going to come up with the money?

MARQUES

We could have a fundraiser washing cars, selling candy, and etc.

KID #2

(He uses quote signs with his hands)

Where are we going to have this art/dance club?

MARQUES

(Marques uses quote signs with his hands)

I haven’t thought that far yet.

(chattering and laughter)

NARRATOR

Just as the moment of discouragement tries to overtake his soul, an echoing of a soft voice sweeps through the crowd.

BRIANNA

Well, I think it’s an awesome idea.

(chattering and laughter)

MARQUES

Thanks sis! (Brianna hugs Marques)

BRIANNA

You’re welcome. Mom wants us to come home and get ready for dinner.

NARRATOR

As Brianna and Marques make their way through the crowd to head home, they noticed an elderly woman with a dreaded hair style who appears to be looking out of a diamond shaped window of a dark blue and gray abandoned house.

ACT ONE Scene 2

Destinee’s Art Studio

[Destinee’s sky blue art studio is adjacent to the apple red and white living room, on the surface of the black and white art table, there’s a pack of pencils and a stack of large sketch pads on the floor. Destinee’s