MA, MFA Writer* Curator * Visual Artist* Educator
MA, MFA Writer* Curator * Visual Artist* Educator
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TWO DAY PANEL DISCUSSION
TWO DAY PANEL DISCUSSION
TWO DAY PANEL DISCUSSION
"You can pray until you faint, but unless you get up and try to do something, God is not going to put it in your lap."
-Fannie Lou Hamer-
November 4 and 5, 2022
TWO DAY PANEL DISCUSSION
TWO DAY PANEL DISCUSSION
Moderated by Dallas writer and visual artist, Camika C. Spencer, this two-day discussion is meant to allow Generation X to give voice to how race relations affected their then and now.
ART EXHIBTION UNDERWAY
Spencer completes TEaching artist residency with exhibition
UPCOMING EVENT
PANEL DISCUSSION
Dateline: DALLAS, TEXAS, 18 August, 2022 — The Writer’s Garret announced today that it will hold its first public event, a panel titled “Moving Beyond The Accommodation: the Power of Language in Shaping Social Change” followed by a reception, in its new location in Oak Cliff on 15 September,
2022.
HE HAD IT COMING SELECTED AS SCRIPTAPALOOZA SEMIFINALIST
Spencer Named Top 100 Semifinalist
I have been trying to adapt one of my novels into a film script for about four years now. I finally let go and started entering these flimsy scripts into competitions for the notes. Well, low and behold, He Had It Coming has managed to get some industry attention! I'll take semifinalist! I'm very proud of the learning curve that getting scripts notes allows me to have. The final 30 will be announced soon, but what comes with a semi-finalist announcement is one year publicity for He Had It Coming by Scriptapalooza!
Camika Spencer Receives 2022 Juanita J. Craft Grant
South Dallas Cultural Center Names Grant Recipients
Camika Spencer is an Oak Cliff native of Dallas, Texas. Her revival of Black Legend Heirlooms (@blacklegendheirloom) as an art installation begins with Camika being able to open dialogue about black history in Dallas and one way to frame or capture the history in an art piece that can be handed down from generation to generation. She is also deeply interested in art that is versatile that can be "handled" in a particular way. She will be teaching a weeklong course on how to make a Black Legend Heirloom and curate shows with the work that will be showcased in businesses in African-American neighborhoods throughout the United States and around the globe. This project, sponsored by generous funds from the South Dallas Cultural Center will take root in her home city, Dallas, Texas in Fall of 2022.
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South Dallas Cultural Center Announces 2022 Juanita J. Craft Residency Recipients
by Jessica Fuentes July 13, 2022
The South Dallas Cultural Center (SDCC) has announced the four recipients of its 2022 Juanita J. Craft Residency.
The residency is named after the second African American woman to serve on the Dallas City Council, who, earlier in her life, also played a vital role in integrating two universities, the Texas State Fair, and Dallas theaters, restaurants, and lunch counters. Now in its third year, the residency provides an opportunity for artists of the African Diaspora to explore new artistic processes and to create socially engaged art experiences focused on South Dallas neighborhoods. Residency participants will utilize the Juanita J. Craft House, a 1,300-square-foot home where Ms. Craft once lived, as the presentation space for their projects.
The 2022 recipients, Camika Spencer, Ebony Lewis, Jessica Bell, and Linda Jones, bring a variety of experiences and expertise to the residency, including installation art, mural work, education, curation, and journalism.
About her project, Ms. Spencer told Glasstire, “The Black Legend Heirloom: Black Dallas Remembered is a one-month residency project that will teach 15-20 community participants (historians, students, and genealogists) the process of creating their own heirloom with the intent of curating an art installation. The heirlooms are papier-mâché boxes that are painted and then applied with a collage technique. The boxes are then decorated and can be used as keepsakes or displayed as personal art. After the boxes are done, they will be put on display at the SDCC.” The dates of the program have not yet been announced.
Ms. Lewis told Glasstire, “I look forward to and feel honored to be a part of such a talented cohort of women. In addition, I can’t wait to collaborate with the community to create beautiful art that reflects their stories of perseverance and pride.”
Ms. Bell echoed similar sentiments, telling Glasstire, “Through this residency, I want to expand my community work and create a body of work that has a collaborative element that allows the South Dallas community to participate in the process. As a resident of South Dallas, with experience running adult workshops, I want to create work in community that represents us.”
Ms. Jones, the only writer among the 2022 recipients, said to Glasstire, “I’m big on legacy keeping and given South Dallas being in an area where change is coming, I want to make sure that I make a contribution in making sure that people remember some of the people and stories from the neighborhood.”
Hello
2021-2022 Teaching in Egypt
In August of 2021, I packed up the house, took the dog to the ex-boyfriend, sold my car and left the United States. As I type this I am 10 weeks shy of returning. I have had the pleasure of teaching 5th and 6th grade students in Al Giza, Egypt as well as grow as a human being.
WORK IN PROGRESS
My relationship with Coverfly
Since I've joined the Coverfly scriptwriting family, so many opportunities have come my way. I've met amazing people and have found myself being able to read scripts with noted actors, directors, and writers. Most of all the script coverage that has been provided has given me leverage to edit my work with a keener sense of what it takes to write at the top level, and I'm only getting better. I'm proud of my accolades because I'm willing to do the work.
GOING TO CALIFORNIA!
@official_camika tapped to participate in creative workshop hosted by lee daniels entertainment and
On Friday the 13th an announcement was made that shook under represented creatives worldwide. Lee Daniels Entertainment in partnership with Represent OMV named the contest winners for The Creative Workshop.
The Creative Workshop will be a 3-Day intensive in Los Angeles, California where three extremely fortunate people will get the chance to be immersed in the world of producers, writers, directors, industry executives and more!
The winners were @simone_alezandria, @official_camika, and @officialnekeith!
AND THE WINNER IS...
SPENCER NAMED 2019 "TEACHER OF THE YEAR" ON CAMPUS
With four years under her belt at Lancaster Middle School in Lancaster, Texas, Camika Spencer was named Teacher of the Year by her peers. Spencer taught 7th and 8th grade Theatre this year, and 7th grade English Language Arts from 2015 - 2018.
She is now teaching Theatre and Playwriting at Lancaster High School.
DOWN FOR THE COUNT SHORT PLAY FESTIVAL
Camika Spencer Tapped to Direct
Back for a fourth year, BATC’s Down for #TheCount is a one-act play festival featuring six dynamic female playwrights from diverse social and ethnic backgrounds articulating the strong female voice in this #MeToo movement. The festival breathes life into their compelling, hilarious, and heartbreaking stories. True to BATC’s mission, Down for #The Count is a vital platform for the perpetuation of innovative theatrical productions where a variety of female voices may be heard. Directed by Camika Spencer
SPENCER NAMED AMONG THE 50 IN LETTERS TO OUR DAUGHTERS
The third installation OF DOMINIQUE MORRISEAU'S BRAINCHILD
The Billie Holiday Theatre in partnership with Frank Silvera Writers’ Workshop Present
50in50: Letters to Our Daughters
Curated by 2018 MacArthur “Genius” Dominique Morriseau
50 in 50: Letters to Our Daughters is the third annual installment of what’s become a highly anticipated, and sold-out, theatrical reading event. This year, a new group of 50 women “consider both the world they inherited and the one they’d like to create.” It’s an evening sure to be filled with emotion, unique points-of-view, and love.
Live music will be performed by Maritri Garrett.
THE CAST
Marsha Stephanie Blake ("Orange is the New Black," The Merchant of Venice on Broadway), Ebony JoAnn (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom on Broadway, "Grown Ups"), Jasmine Cephas Jones (Hamilton on Broadway, Dog Days, Mistress America), LaChanze (The Color Purple and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical on Broadway), Terria Joseph ("Empire," Autumn at The Billie), Celestine Rae (No More Mr. Nice Guy, Boardwalk Empire), Angelica Ross (Her Story, "Pose"), Michele Shay (Seven Guitarsand A Raisin in the Sun on Broadway) Phyllis Yvonne Stickney (How Stella Got Her Groove Back, The Women of Brewster Place), and Pauletta Pearson Washington (She's Gotta Have It, The Old Settler and Autumn at The Billie).
THE PLAYWRIGHTS
Amanda Graham, AriDy Nox, Arielle C Knight, Ashley Thomas, Benja Thomas, Bridget Doman, Camika Spencer, Colette Boston, Courtney Mericle, Cynthia L Dorsey, Daphne Busby, Debra Bramlett, Desiree Rucker, Dietra Kelsey, Donna Walker-Kuhne, Elisabeth Giffin Speckman, Eraina Ferguson, Felicia Fitzpatrick, Franceli Chapman, Geraldine Ezigbo, Ife Basim, Jackie Torres, Jameelah Nasheed, Jorjina Amefia-Koffi, Kaypri, Kendra Ann Flournoy, Kim Brandon, La'Needra "Lulu" Cornelious, Lexis Green, Lisa B. Thompson, Lola Cooper, Lyndor Jackson, Marcelle Davies-Lashley, Marcia Pendelton, Marleen Jasper, Marlow Wyatt, Paula Gillison, Penny Middleton, Renee Joshua-Porter, Robin Turner, S. Pearl Sharp, Safiya Bandele, Samantha Godfrey, Shalewa Mackall, Sharlee Taylor, Shemetra Carter, Sylvia Gail Kinard, Tajh, Terria Joseph, and Yoreel Fraser Trumpet.
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SPENCER PENS "GOT SOUL" SCRIPT FOR LANCASTER I.S.D
On May 2, 2019 Lancaster ISD presented it's annual fine arts district wide performance at Dallas' prestigious Majestic Theater in downtown Dallas. The show featured all of the fine arts departments in the district from elementary to high school with a cast of over 100 students.
This year's script was written by Camika Spencer after careful consideration by the department. This year's script gave L.I.S.D's fine arts department a reason to boast. For the first time in the projects seven year run, the show involved a full story, the script made sure the students interacted on stage, and the Director and Artistic Director were able to make changes up until the last minute without any snags. The show can be seen in its' entirety on the districts website under the Fine Arts tab.
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Camika Spencer announced as 50 in 50 Writers Select!
The Billie Holiday Theatre presents the fourth monologue showcase of its popular series – 50in50: Letters to Our Sons. In response to MacArthur “Genius” Dominique Morisseau’s curatorial statement, 50 original monologues – selected from hundreds of submissions from women of African descent from across the globe – will be read by renowned actors to include: Lisa Arrindell (The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Saints & Sinners, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof), Marsha Stephanie Blake (When They See Us, The Photograph, The Merchant of Venice), Lilli Cooper (Tootsie, Wicked), LaChanze (The Color Purple and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical), Joie Lee (She’s Gotta Have It, Do The Right Thing), Celestine Rae (Boardwalk Empire, Blacklist), Phyllis Yvonne Stickney (How Stella Got Her Groove Back, The Women of Brewster Place), and Pauletta Pearson Washington (She’s Gotta Have It, The Old Settler and Autumn at The Billie) with live music performed by Maritri Garrett and Tayler Harris.