It’s always a pleasure connecting with Kerry-Ann Frazier of KZ Frazier Drama. You’ll recall we’ve connected with her several times in the past for a few of her previous productions. Each production gets better and better, with casts of amazing actors & actresses covering a variety of topics that connect seamlessly with many people around the world. Kerry-Ann’s latest production, Sunday Dinner, is a story that, much like her past productions, will resonate with many. The storyline follows a family much like yours or mine, coming together for Sunday Dinner and fellowship amongst each other when literally, all hell breaks lose as secrets, lies, and more are revealed. If your family is anything like the average, you can already imagine the madness that ensues. Kerry-Ann and the cast of Sunday Dinner will show you how crazy it can get, and ultimately how real family pulls it all back together. 

We had the amazing opportunity to talk with Kerry-Ann about the production, and what can be expected as it hits the stage once again, this time in San Antonio, TX. 

U.G. Digital Mag: I really appreciate the opportunity to chat today. This is so huge for you right now the you have the story of Sunday Dinner together, and it’s huge for us to be a part. Thank you. 

Kerry-Ann Frazier: You’re welcome

U.G. Digital Mag: It’s exciting to see the progression. Last time we spoke, you were filling me in on how things would move forward. To have this hitting the stage at the end of the month, it’s really awesome. 

Kerry-Ann Frazier: I’m quite excited. It’s hitting the stage June 30, and I’m just excited. We’ve done it three times, and each time was a hit. I’m excited to do it in San Antonio this time. 

U.G. Digital Mag: It’s good to see the consistency. It’s doing well, and you’re able to travel with it. It’s a lot of work, I’m sure, but it’s so amazing. We need to see this in the industry.

Kerry-Ann Frazier: Thank you. 

U.G. Digital Mag: How long did it take you to get everything completed?

Kerry-Ann Frazier: This script was done in about three days. 

U.G. Digital Mag: Whoa!

Kerry-Ann Frazier: (Laughing) It’s like the story came flooding out on paper. It’s the same family we saw in Losing Mama and TEMPEST. It really just wrote itself. We already had the cast, and it just took on a life of its own. We added a few new characters, but the story is easily relatable. It’s not necessarily an African American story. People can identify with it. The audience says it at every show. 

U.G. Digital Mag: As a viewer, that’s what you want. You want to be able to take something away and see yourself represented. 

Kerry-Ann Frazier: Definitely. 

U.G. Digital Mag: I’m excited for you. I’m bummed that I can’t make it out. I can see it’s going to be awesome. 

Kerry-Ann Frazier: You now, that’s the feedback from Killeen, Waco, and Austin. We’ve had people come out to multiple shows, and they say it gets better each time that they see it, 

U.G. Digital Mag: When you go from city to city, do you ever alter the story for those who see it more than once?

Kerry-Ann Frazier: The story grows and changes with each audience. With Killeen, the cast was very comfortable, so they were able to joke with it. In Austin, they took it to another level. The story is very much the same, but the delivery gets better and better. My cast loves to ad-lib, depending on the city we may be in. 

U.G. Digital Mag: OK, that’s cool. Ad-libbing was going to be my next question. 

Kerry-Ann Frazier: They definitely love to ad-lib. I have a radio host and comedian in there as well, so sometimes it becomes hard to control (laughing)

U.G. Digital Mag: It has to be exciting. What’s cool is the story is a lot more light-hearted. When you compare it to Losing Mama and TEMPEST, it’s definitely easier on the heart, as you covered some pretty heavy content in your previous productions. People can definitely get a laugh here. 

Kerry-Ann Frazier: Right. I think everyone leaves laughing and in stitches. It’s a comedic drama. There’s elements of drama, but more light-hearted. It’s easier to digest. 

U.G. Digital Mag: I can imagine people will really enjoy it. Are there plans to release a video of the show?

Kerry-Ann Frazier: We’ll probably record it in Tampa. That’s our last stop. 

U.G. Digital Mag: The other cool thing is how you’ve traveled with it. How many more shows are left?

Kerry-Ann Frazier: We have San Antonio and Tampa. 

U.G. Digital Mag: So then what’s next?

Kerry-Ann Frazier: I write about two scripts per month. One of the plays I have relates to a lot of what is happening in society today. It’s very relevant to the times. There’s comedy and drama in it. I think it’s relevant to a lot of populations. 

U.G. Digital Mag: Awesome. We need storytellers who can touch on what’s happening today. There’s so much going on, people are down, and they have trouble coping. 

Kerry-Ann Frazier: Right. As a licensed social worker, it’s important for me to deliver a human perspective. I’m also a professor at a university where I educate a lot of young minds. Writing is great and should be entertainment, but I have a responsibility with this platform to address issues. When you look at playwrights like Tennessee Williams and Lorraine Hansbury, they addressed a lot of social issues in the world. I like to do that. 

U.G. Digital Mag: I think that is sorely needed. The audience wants that, so it’s really amazing. 

Kerry-Ann Frazier: Right. 

U.G. Digital Mag: What else is going on in terms of promo and additional projects?

Kerry-Ann Frazier: Oh wow. I’m teaching sexual assault with the military by using drama. I do this on a weekly basis. 

U.G. Digital Mag: That’s really cool. 

Kerry-Ann Frazier: Well, my husband is a veteran and we have a heart for the military. Again, using the platform to educate, empower, inspire, influence, and impact. That is our model. I want to make sure I’m making a difference. 

U.G. Digital Mag: Just thinking through this, I never considered taking it to that level. I know your plays prior have touched on sexual assault. Why did you take it to the military?

Kerry-Ann Frazier: I’m combat trained. I would be called often to facilitate training, and sitting there it was often death by powerpoint. We decided to make it a little different. I facilitate, but we use all the same tools. We’re adding the components of a visual perspective, and asking the question what does sexual assault look like when it’s not actually rape. So we’re showing various levels of assault and abuse. As an educator, I like using different forms of teaching. 

U.G. Digital Mag: Really amazing. People need that understanding of sexual assault. 

Kerry-Ann Frazier: Right. 

U.G. Digital Mag: In terms of people who want to know more about you, where can they get that info online?

Kerry-Ann Frazier: They can catch us at www.kzfrazierdrama.com. We update on a nightly basis. Sunday Dinner is a story of family coming together for dinner, and in the midst, family secrets are revealed, generational differences come to light, and the family gets serious about the truth. It shows how people within a family don’t feel comfortable with each other at times. It shows that all families have issues, but the question is how to get past them. I’ve heard it compared to movies like Soul Food. Everyone can catch us on the website, and on our social media as well.