Tracie Collins

Tracie Collins (born October 22, 1975) is an actress, writer, theatre director and producer[1] Collins is best known as the writer, director, and producer of her fourth stage production Cold Piece of Werk, which addresses human trafficking / sex trafficking, specifically in the East Bay (San Francisco Bay Area) city of Oakland, California.[2]

Early life

Collins was born in San Francisco, as Tracie Monae Enis, the daughter of Frankie Charles Enis, a bus driver for San Francisco Municipal Railway (SF Muni or Muni) and El Wanda Braynen, a legal secretary. She is the eldest of three siblings. Collins credits her father for introducing her to the theatre. Collins took acting classes at the American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) in San Francisco.[3]

Career

Collins was an actress in the three productions.[4] Previous work includes: The V Monologues: A Black Woman’s Interpretation (2013), Knocking at Love’s Door (2014), and Girlfriend Chronicles (2014). In 2009, Collins’ earliest theatrical performances include portraying "Lorelle" in Dream Girls[5] and "Pam" in Misery Loves Company at Black Repertory Group Theater in Berkeley, California.

In 2009, Collins set up a company, Tracie Collins Productions.

in 2010, Collins was cast as "Tonisha" in The Postwoman, a film by JD Walker. Also in 2010 Collins organized a fashion gala for larger women, called "Kiss the Curves".[6] In 2011 the show moved to Hollywood.[7]

In 2013, Collins directed the play "The V Monologues: A Black Woman’s Interpretations at Kaiser Center Lakeside Theater in Oakland, California. She has since written three more plays, a one-woman show Who is Tracie Collins?, a romantic comedy Knocking at Love's Door,[8] and Cold Piece of Werk, all of which she produced and directed at the same theater.

Collins has explored women's rights, racism, and issues of social injustice.[9] Collins cast mostly San Francisco Bay Area actors in her productions.[10]

Collins wrote Cold Piece of Werk after witnessing young girls walking on the streets of International Boulevard[11] and wanted to call attention to the human trafficking in California epidemic taking place in her neighborhood.[12] Oakland, California Mayor Libby Schaff proclaimed Saturday, March 14, 2015, (opening night of Cold Piece of Werk) as Tracie Collins Day.[13]

In 2015, Tracie Collins Productions was nominated for an Oakland Indie Award,[14] but did not win. Also that year, production began on the film version of Cold Piece of Werk.[15]

Personal life

In 2015 Collins lives in Oakland, California, and is the mother of three children.[16]

References
  1. Christian Ayers, “Black Renaissance: Cold Piece of Werk”, '’KBCW, CBS SF Bay Area", January 18, 2015
  2. Liz Saint John, “Tracie Collins, Cold Piece of Werk”, "Weekend Magazine: Tracie Collins, KCBS Radio” April 15, 2015
  3. "How Tracie Collins Is Creating Opportunities For Black Women Behind The Curtain". KISS-FM Radio.
  4. Kris Stewart, “New Play Shines Light on Human Trafficking in Oakland”, "East Bay Express", March 11, 2015
  5. Rachel Sawn, "From Motown to Oakland", "East Bay Express", June 17, 2009
  6. "Oakland show a plus sign for fashion". Daniela Province, The Chronicle, February 14, 2010
  7. "KISS THE CURVES and STRUT YOUR STUFF; An interview with Tracie Collins, 3/01/2011". PLUS Model Magazine.
  8. "Successful playwright Tracie Collins still wins while fighting sexism and racial stereotypes". Rolling Out, By Lorenzo Gordon | December 4, 2015
  9. Sandra Varner, “New play brings truth to power for young women”, "Talk 2SV with Sandra Varner", February 28, 2015
  10. Kris Stewart, “New Play Shines Light on Human Trafficking in Oakland”, "East Bay Express", March 11, 2015
  11. Jason Victor Serinus, “Play puts Oakland’s sex trade in theatrical spotlight”, '’San Francisco Examiner'’, March 9, 2015
  12. Tamara Palmer, “Oakland Child Trafficking Epidemic Inspires Play”, '’NBC Bay Area'’, February 10, 2015
  13. Shelah Moody, ”International Women’s Month Salutes Tracie Collins”, '’Streetwise Radio", March 14, 2015
  14. "Congratulations to the 2015 Indie Award Nominees!". Oakland Indie Awards.
  15. "Weekend Magazine: North Korean Threat, SF International Film Fest, And Human Trafficking". 99,7 NOW Radio. April 19, 2015 April 15, 2015
  16. Shannon Stroud, “Play examines sex trade in Oakland”, "The Pioneer", March 10, 2015
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