Senior at Emory & Henry First to Receive Barter Theatre’s Black Fellowship

Emory & Henry College Senior Destinee Nikole of Chattanooga, Tennessee, has been recognized as Barter Theatre’s First Black Stories, Black Voices Acting Fellow. She was recently featured in the third annual Shine: Illuminating Black Stories event on Sunday, April 21, performing a monologue titled “The Resting Tree” from the BSBV Appalachian Cannon at the Barter Gilliam Stage in Abingdon.

“This award is given to a theatre student based in Appalachia with exceptional gifts and who is dedicated to their craft,” said Patrice Foster, a professor of Theatre & Dance at Emory & Henry and a member of the BSBV, during the ceremony.  “Destinee who is a senior BFA Musical Theatre Major at Emory & Henry College, has been my mentee and I can attest to her leadership, creativity and hardworking spirit.”

Barter’s BSBV mission is to tell and amplify Black stories. SHINE is a yearly performance event which helps “shine” a light on the richness of the Black experience in Appalachia.  The monologue Destinee performed, “The Resting Tree,” was written about Bristol, Virginia at Preston’s Plantation the year 1798, and was written by Miriam Braxton.

“Destinee’s exceptional gifts and dedication to her craft has not gone unnoticed, and we are honored to have her join us for this unforgettable experience” said Terrance Jackson, Director of Outreach & Barter’s Black Stories Black Voices. “From Look We Are Breathing in 2022 to the most recent production of Built on Shadows, over the last few years I have seen her work at E&H and I got to know her as she was around Barter understudying. When the idea came to mind, she was the first person I thought of, and her acting work in All the Natalie Portmans sealed it for me.” 

As the BSBV Student Fellow, Johnson took center stage alongside professional actors, Vince McGill, Rita Cole and Nick Piper, showcasing her unique gifts. The opportunity not only allowed her to share her talent with the community but also provided an invaluable learning experience. Johnson was  invited to join the playwright’s dinner, offering her a rare chance to connect with influential Black figures in the theatrical community – many who are based in NYC.

“She shined so brightly on our stage, captivating hearts and minds with her artistry,” said Jackson. “We hope to have many more Black Student Fellows after Destinee, but we are glad that she is the first.”

Destinee Nikole will be graduating on May 4 and taking an acting position at Florida Studio Theatre later this summer.

She adds, “It was such an honor and a privilege to be the first Student Acting Honoree to work on Black Story Black Voices Shine: Illuminating Black Stories! I can not thank Terrence Jackson and Katy Brown enough for believing that I could be the student to kickstart this beautiful journey. Getting up on the Gilliam Stage to an almost sold out house was an experience like no other. To feel the energy of the theatre and hear the audience interacting with each actor as the show went on, only highlighted the impact of a night like Shine has on the community.

“As an actor, this was so much more than just performing a monologue. This was owning the stories of Black Appalachian people and connecting with the community in ways that are not possible in a day to day life. I believe that opportunities such as this one are a perfect example of how our partnership with Barter Theatre is here to help us young artists as we continue down our paths in theatre and allows us to shine light on the growth that we build over our four years here at Emory and Henry. Without it, I probably would be singing a different tune, but I stand today with gratitude and appreciation to both Barter Theatre and our department here at Emory & Henry for molding me into an inspiring, confident young black actress that’s ready to continue my career in the world of theatre,” she added.