Breast Cancer Survivor Named Best Featured Actress

Sept. 30, 2009 - PRLog -- Crystal Brown-Tatum, Author and CEO of Crystal Clear Communications, has been named 2009 Best Featured Actress in the Southern Black Theatre Festival. The awards banquet was held at The University Club Friday, September 25, 2009 in Shreveport, Louisiana.
“Tidewater” was written by Sherri Bailey and directed by Robert Alford in the Black Box Theatre on the campus of LSU-Shreveport. The three-part play set in Suffolk, Virgina covered a time span from the 1930’s to present day and told the tale of how three families shared a long and painful history. The first act of the play, entitled "A Summer Romance," is an honest portrayal of the love between three people, two of which are best friends. Eliza and Carrie, performed by Crystal Brown-Tatum and Tileda Lovette Moore, respectively, are best described as polar opposites and have been lifelong friends despite their numerous differences.
“This award means so much to me because I hadn’t been on stage in nineteen years”, says Brown-Tatum. “When I took my daughter to the audition, I got a wave of courage that motivated me to audition and step out of the backlight and into the spotlight. As a cancer survivor, I am thankful that battling cancer has given me the courage to follow my dreams and live a passionate life.”
Mrs. Brown-Tatum is the author of Saltwater Taffy and Red High Heels: My Journey through Breast Cancer. The memoir follows her from a 2007 stage IIIA diagnosis through surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and recovery. She was also named a 2009 Blazing Star Award Recipient from The Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Texas and a 2006 Women on the Move from Texas Executive Women. Additionally, the Houston Business Journal selected her as a 2009 40 under 40 award recipient and the firm was named the 4th Fastest Woman-Owned Business in Houston in 2007. Visit www.crystalcommunicates.com for more information.
The Southern Black Theatre Festival (SBTF) is an outreach effort of Mahogany Ensemble Theatre (MET).  Mahogany Ensemble Theatre is the resident theatre of the M.E.C.C.A. Foundation, whose mission is to enlighten, enrich, and empower communities by presenting, producing, and promoting quality programs that preserve and advance the rich heritage of the cultural and performing arts traditions of people of African descent while expressing this proud legacy with all of humanity. Visit www.southernblacktheatrefest.org for more information.

# # #

Crystal Clear Communications is a full service public relations firm and advertising agency with offices in Houston and Louisiana.