Alda WItherspoon
Alda Witherspoon rejoined the writing world with an original play, Unto This House: The King of Kings is Born which she also produced on stage 2016-2018. Since then, she has written an anthology of her work of poetry, prose, passages and plays- The Seed of My Whisper, a play WIZE, The Musical, and her first novel, AKA SPOON - a biopic crime novel about her grandfather and the Witherspoon family in Little Rock, Arkansas 1863-1930’s. Spoon owned the Witherspoon Hotel, Dry Cleaners, Night Club, Gas Station, a farm and THE STATE PRESS newspaper where he served as President. The newspaper was co-publisher by Daisy Bates (Little Rock Nine notoriety) with her husband L.C. Bates.
Away from writing full time for 20 years, Ms. Witherspoon spent the years as a producer for the City of Boston as a Director of Public & Private Partnerships in the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Tourism and Special Events and as Director of Park Arts for the Boston Parks Department - The oldest public park system in America. Raising her son, Auston remained always a key priority with her former partner Terrel as she acted as a celebrity TV Judge for Community Auditions (oldest TV Talent showcase in the US) and teaching city youth - leadership, etiquette, and arts development at The Witherspoon institute. A.W. founded the institute in 2006 in honor of her mother and grandfather.
An accomplished Poet Laureate and Producer Ms. Witherspoon has produced and or performed with noted political figures: Michelle Obama, President Obama, President Bill Clinton; Secretary of State John Kerry; civil rights torch bearer Martin Luther King, III as well as a host of performing artists including legends Pattie Labelle, Peabo Bryson and the Boston Pops.
A classically trained singer, A.W. began her professional artistic career in the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts production of Black Nativity written by Langton Hughes. She majored in classical voice and business at the University of Lowell and continued her career performing with iconic artist Della Reese, Linda Hopkins, and O. C. Smith.
A.W. debuted as a playwright in 1993 with her first play, Back to Black Women, directed by Emmy award winning director, Lois Roach. During that time, she launched, Whispers Romantic Expressions publishing poetry cards, bookmarks and scrolls in theatrical venues and local bookstores. After receiving many accolades from her touring play, Ms. Witherspoon became a highly sought-after lecturer. She has conducted playwriting workshops at Boston University, New England Conservatory, and other distinguished institutions. In addition, Ms. Witherspoon was granted a 30-minute TV special chronicling her artistry and performing works entitled, Highway Poetry a Video Symphony. Her second play Before You Plant the Seed was chosen for workshop and performance by Nobel Prize winner for literature, Derek Walcott, who founded the Boston Playwrights Theatre. Obie award winner, Ed Bullins chose Ms. Witherspoon’s third play for presentation, The Legend of Dorothy Dandridge.
Later, Ms. Witherspoon was asked to become a journalist for the distinguished New England newspaper, The BayState Banner, where she hosted her own society column covering stories on many noteworthy figures including Stevie Wonder and Janet Jackson.