Donzaleigh Abernathy, a wonderful actress.

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SO YOU WANT TO BE IN PICTURES?

Interviews and Articles By and About Key Men and Women in the Entertainment Industry

EDITOR'S NOTE: This insightful article is an excerpt from Dr. Ted Baehr's new book SO YOU WANT TO BE IN PICTURES? It is available in a special section of www.movieguide.org to everyone who buys the book. SO YOU WANT TO BE IN PICTURES? is a comprehensive book on movies that every Christian interested in the entertainment industry (and the culture!) will want to read. It shows Christians how to use their faith to change Hollywood and how to develop their screenwriting, acting, directing, producing, and behind-the-scenes interests. Some of the best and the brightest people of faith and values in the entertainment industry share their secrets of how to make a great blockbuster movie!

Donzaleigh Abernathy, a wonderful actress.

Integrity, Relationships, and Faith - an interview with Donzaleigh Abernathy

In last year's movie GODS AND GENERALS, there is a beautiful young slave who quotes from the book of Esther when she asks for her freedom. She says, just as Mordecai said to Esther, "Think not that because you are in the king's house you will escape more than all the others. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for thy people from another place, but thou and thy father's house shall perish. And who knows whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:13-14 KJV) The beautiful, impassioned slave, Martha, is played by Donzaleigh Abernathy, a gentle, very centered, increasingly requested actor from Atlanta, Georgia. Below she shares a glimpse of the journey that moved her from seeking to enlightenment to the desert to the dream.

Don't Let Go of Childhood Dreams

As a young girl of six or seven in Atlanta, Georgia, Donzaleigh used to leave her ballet class and go to the Robert's house - Julia Robert's house, that is. Julia's parents conducted acting classes, and perhaps to their surprise, was the daughter of the famous civil rights leader Ralph David Abernathy. Donzaleigh stood on the side, longing to act and taking it all in, though she was not old enough to participate. It was from such a wallflower position that she decided she truly wanted to be an actress. "I loved it and wanted so much to participate. I hated that I was too young. I watched the others learning the craft, though, and I promised myself I'd make it one day... that I'd be acting for the rest of my life."

Learn, Learn, Learn!

Donzaleigh did get her opportunity a few years later as she was accepted into The George School, a Quaker preparatory academy in Pennsylvania, which boasted such graduates as George Segal, Blythe Danner and the children of Mary Martin (who played Peter Pan). Here, she honed her craft and met many other children whose parents were the industry as well. After The George School, she went to Emerson College in Boston. The opportunity was presented for her to attend an Ivy League college that she couldn't accept, mostly because she couldn't pursue her acting there. "My parents were devastated, but I was determined to study acting." During college, Donzaleigh got her Screen Actor's Guild (SAG) card, went to New York, and auditioned for her first play. Much to her surprise, she got the female lead in a play called Akhnaton, the Light written by the famous Bruce Mulholland. "He was a wonderful, distinguished old man, a gifted playwright, and I wanted to soak up his presence. I wanted him to teach me all he knew about the golden days of Hollywood since he had written ON THE 20^TH CENTURY with Gloria Swanson.

Bruce would turn out to be just one of many crucial mentors in Donzaleigh's life.

Seek Life and Safety

Through the years, Donzaleigh could see the hand of God protecting her, while at the same time exposing her to limited amounts of show biz reality. While still in college, she worked for the production designers of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. "The show was at its height, and its comedy was brilliant. I loved it because I got to see life in the New York fast lane, while still being somewhat protected." Donzaleigh spent time with the production designer's children, doing homework with them, bonding with the family, and learning about the business from the safe haven of their home, a place and time she considers very personally enriching.

Discouragement Can Kill the Vision

From here, Donzaleigh graduated, moved back to Atlanta Then she started working at an actress at the Alliance Theatre in ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA and the southeastern tour of FOR COLORED GIRLS. I auditioned for Julius Caesar, but I was told I was the wrong color to play Lady Portia, that the theatre didn't want their leading lady to be black. The director wanted to hire me, but the theatre said no. It was good to hear the director's perspective, very motivating, but I was discouraged and went to work behind the camera to learn the business."

Just as Jacob in the Bible had to work for Laban for seven years before he could fulfill his desire to marry Rachel, so Donzaleigh was to spend seven years working behind the camera, dead to her earlier dreams of acting, before hope would again surface.

Take the Hand That's Extended

Donzaleigh understands that it's often others that see talent and help point out the right paths. One day, while she was working behind the camera on a movie with Christian Slater, Sidney Poitier's daughter, Beverly, called. "Beverly worked at the SAG office in Atlanta. She told me that they were casting for the television drama IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT, which was being filmed in Georgia. She said, ‘I need you to audition for this to show that there's talent in Atlanta, or they'll pull the plug.' She wanted the job to stay in Atlanta, so I agreed to audition, just this one time." Donzaleigh had a wonderful audition, but though the director and producer raved about her performance in the audition, they didn't hire her, sadly relaying that the head of the show said she didn't look like the character: a hooker. The director called her personally to say that though he couldn't hire her now, he'd help her with her career. Again, Donzaleigh's thoughts turned to an acting career, but was it really meant to be?

Sometimes Only the Left Coast Will Do

During this time of soul-searching, Donzaleigh had gotten married, and her husband said to her one day, "We're going to move to California." Donzaleigh refused, believing that it was best to stay close to her family, taking care of her parents, cooking for them and her brother, and retaining the close-knit roots of the family's heritage. "I loved my father so much and wanted to do any and everything I could for him and with him. I never thought I'd ever leave and go all the way across America. Her father told her, "When you give up your dream, you die a little inside. Follow your dream, Donzaleigh. I've lived my life; now go live yours."

Follow Your Peace

Finally, after listening to her parent's blessings and encouragement, Donzaleigh agreed to leave "safety" and pursue "life" in California. Little did she know that life is exactly what heaven had planned for her trip out west. "Somewhere in the desert between Arizona and New Mexico, I had a spiritual awakening. My whole life changed. I cried all the way to Los Angeles, but I had such peace. I knew I was supposed to be an actress, and that it would work. I was not destined to perish in my career or in an earthquake, but rather God would take care of me and guide my course."

Despite her spiritual high, she was extremely shy and lost in the vastness of Los Angeles until she had her first audition. "The sister of a casting director in Atlanta was casting THE LONG WALK HOME, so I auditioned and was immediately introduced to the director, who put me on tape. I waited to hear, and then waited some more. I wanted to play a part opposite Whoopie Goldberg, but I didn't get it. I then auditioned for another movie, GHOST DAD, directed by Sidney Poitier. Again, I didn't get it. The part I wanted was written for a man." Sidney Poitier did encourage Donzaleigh, but openly expressed his disapproval of her working behind the camera. "What are you doing? You're an actress! You don't work behind the camera!"

You've Got to Leave the Nest!

Donzaleigh knew he was right, but she needed to work to earn a living. While she was working on Portier's GHOST DAD, she got a phone call. The director of THE LONG WALK HOME offered her a part in the movie, which was already in production. They asked if she could fly to Montgomery, Alabama, right away. "I said to Sidney Poitier, ‘I got lucky, and you got your wish.' He hugged me, and was proud to see me follow my dream. But before Ireturned to L.A., Sydney's people called me and offered me the role of a nurse in GHOST DAD. I got to shoot four weeks filming on that movie."

Soon thereafter, Donzaleigh auditioned for MURDER IN MISSISSIPPI, a movie about the death of three civil rights workers. "I read for one of the leads, despite the fact that my agent said I couldn't get it. "They'll want a name actress," she said. I did my best, though, and they liked me better than anyone in LA. My y agent worried because they continued to audition in New York, but for the first time I was amazingly confident. Sure enough, I had stuck out in the director's mind. He said, ‘I want that little girl in the white dress,' and he came back and offered me the part. I was ecstatic. I got to work with Blair Underwood, Josh Charles, and Tom Hulce. It was wonderful. It got my whole career started."

Create a Clear Niche

After her work on MURDER IN MISSISSIPPI, Donzaleigh developed the reputation for doing great, socially minded projects. "They knew I wouldn't do any schlock. I only work on honorable movies with redeeming values. Soon the ball started rolling, and my career picked up momentum and steam. I was moving faster and faster uphill toward my dream."

Donzaleigh did continue to work on memorable, uplifting projects, and recently she played the part of Martha, the only slave depicted in the movie GODS AND GENERLAS. In this film, Director Ron Maxwell wanted to portray a black woman with religious beliefs and dignity, not the stereotypical mammie that other films had often depicted. "I didn't have a rag on my head, or weigh 300 pounds like the slaves in GONE WITH THE WIND. Those portrayals aren't accurate anyway because no one was well off enough to eat that much, least of all nearly starved black people. The slaves went through a war, just like the whites. Men and women are emaciated, especially the blacks. This movie needed a lean woman. My character was noble, dignified, and graceful, not a caricature of a pagan savage." Donzaleigh says she's forever grateful to Ron Maxwell for his brilliance and direction on the project.

Another project Donzaleigh worked on was the Lifetime television series ANY DAY NOW, playing the dual role of Sarah Jackson, Renee's mom, young and old. As senior citizen Sarah, I wore a fat pad, a gray wig, and had lines drawn on my face. The makeup man was good." As the young mom, Donzaleigh wore a short wig and acted like a school marm, offering children cookies and milk, full of religious strength, wanting to work, but not allowed to by her husband. "I love that the American female audience is so taken with the show, still watching reruns. It was one of Lifetime's most popular shows." The show ran four years, completing about 88 episodes in all.

Tell Your Story

In addition to acting, Donzaleigh is now promoting a new book she wrote, entitled PARTNERS TO HISTORY, a large-scale overview of black history since the 1600's. In the book, Donzaleigh draws on the wisdom of her father, the late Ralph David Abernathy, as well as Martin Luther King and others. The book depicts, visually with photos and text, the influences of men such as Booker T. Washington and Presidents Lincoln, Kennedy, and L.B. Johnson, whose words help make up the foundation of the book. "I did extensive reading on the subject. For one year, seven days a week, I did nothing else. I was grateful to be afforded that time and opportunity to work on my book." After the first draft, she wrote two additional drafts, continuing to perfect and improve the manuscript until her publisher finally protested and forced her to put her pen down. The book was published in October, 2003 and nominated by American Library Association as one of the best books of the year.

"This was an extremely prestigious nomination. The librarians thoroughly read each book and decide. It's quite an honor; I had no idea I'd get this acclaim." Donzaleigh sees now, in hindsight, that the timing of the book was perfect. "Dr. Ted Baehr said it was good my book didn't come out during the filming of GODS AND GENERALS because the time commitment would have been too great to do both. It really worked out well."

In addition to promoting the book, Donzaleigh is focusing on her personal life, also auditioning for the next big movie, wherever it may be. Recently she did a comedy, RED RIDING HOOD, from the director of Grease. "It was so much fun, and it's a musical."

Find Great Mentors

Donzaleigh has worked in the entertainment industry since 1989, often behind the camera as an Assistant Director or a production assistant. "My first job on a movie was as a wardrobe assistant to dress Ruth Gordon. I really enjoyed her. She wrote me a Christmas card, then died shortly thereafter. She gave me advice, said don't work behind the camera, and be an actress. She was so incredibly supportive, giving me techniques and wisdom on how a lady conducts herself on the set. She really stressed one's commitment to the job - to show up on time, know your lines, and be ready to work. That's my mantra. I'm always early to the set, I know my lines, I hit my mark, and I'm fun and easy to get along with. Mrs. Gordon ("Ruthie") gave me that foundation."

Donzaleigh worked with Gregory Peck on OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY, and really received some great mentoring in technique. "He taught me how to break down my script and taught me about each scene and its dynamic within within the overview of the story. And that's really what every actor needs to know. Mr. Pecks from the old school of acting, which I like. I'd visit Gregory and his wife, Veronique, at the house. They extended friendship to me during the filming. I actually spent at least two days per week with them during the filming. Veronique and I would have lunch and just talk about life and writing. They had a tremendous impact on my life, teaching me the craft and just giving me broader life perspective."

One of Donzaleigh's favorite mentors, though, will always be Sidney Poitier. " Susan will call every so often for Sidney every so often and ask, ‘How is Hollywood treating you?' I hear from a few of his daughters, who have been supportive and involved in my life. Another mentor is Bill Wittliff, screenwriter on LONSOME DOVE, THE PERFECT STROM, and BLACK STALLION. Bill told me he didn't know how to put the boy on the horse until it came to him in a dream. He dreamed about the swimming in the water. Bill's a very talented man."

Bill also wrote NED BLESSING, a TV western about spirituality, in which Donzaleigh played a black woman on the range in Texas. "My husband is mute, so my character runs the show. There's a man, Sticks (Tim Smith of LONESOME DOVE), who works for me, when a bad guy, Bill McKinney, comes to fight and run us off our land. The hero, Brad Johnson, saves the day. ... Bill and I talk about writing all the time. I asked Bill how he wrote, and he said ‘Longhand, on a yellow pad.' So that's how I write." I wrote my entire book long-hand. I listen to my father's speeches, and I write books and screenplays longhand. Then, I type it into the computer. I got that from Bill."

Be a Mentor Yourself

Not only does Donzaleigh look to her mentors for life's wisdom, but she also values her involvement in the lives of others coming along the path. "In my acting class, I made friends with a young actor, Scott Foley, who has become a sensational actor. I convinced him to quit his waiting job and become a serious actor. He bought a suit, got his first agent, auditioned for the lead in FELICITY. Then, he met Jennifer Garner on the show. I dreamt he married her, and they did. I must say that I helped support their career and their love. I love supporting my friends."

Donzaleigh has also befriended young Colin Bain, the great nephew of President L.B. Johnson. "Colin's great. He's 24 years old, tall and handsome, looking like Jimmy Stewart. I support him in his acting career, and he helps me, too. He flew from L.A. to New York to speak at my book event. Colin will be a great statesman some day. He has a heart and soul that's just tremendous. You'll hear his name again."

Enjoy the Fulfillment

Donzaleigh had the spiritual awakening in the desert that changed the course of her life and drew her into acting. Despite all her visions, though, she experienced a momentary delay when she let go of her dream. "After being in the desert, my faith in God became stronger, and I knew that everything would be OK. Everybody's got a dream. Follow your dreams. Then work hard to achieve success because it's God-ordained. I knew everything would be OK, and ...it has been, just like in my dream. Sure, I've had difficult times, many uncertain hours, because it's not easy, but I pray at the top of Mulholland Drive, one of the highest points in the Santa Monica Range. I go there at least one day a week."

Since the beginning, Donzaleigh has asked the Lord to guide her through the process. Donzaleigh likes to keep her soul in a positive faith-mode, and not listen to or focus on negative reports that would steal her peace. "When I was writing my book, my friend Dar Bijarchi supported me in making this dream a reality. It's important to have loving friends, and I'm forever grateful for that love and friendship. I heard they were making GODS AND GENERALS, I said, ‘I have to be there.' Later Ron Maxwell tried to tell me who I was up against for the role of Martha, but I didn't want toknow. All that mattered was that I got the part. I knew I was supposed to do it, so I just set my course."

Donzaleigh prays every day. "I've prayed this morning already, and I'll go back to Mulholland later and pray again. It's a place of worship without walls, like the Mount of Olives where Jesus went. People bring their burdens there and lay them down, as well as lovers come to find joy. That's how I live my life. I like to smile a lot. Laughter is good medicine."

When asked about her advice for people of faith exploring the industry, Donzaleigh replies, "They need to know they can fulfill their dreams without losing their soul. If they maintain their honor, integrity and faith, they'll be blessed with abundance. It will be much more fulfilling than if they compromise." Donzaleigh's faith draws people to her, she believes. "There's like a magnet that draws people to me, and it's God. That's why I've been blessed to be with people of honor and integrity, and work on great projects. I like to present myself as a lady with integrity spirituality, and humility. People have no doubt that they're in the presence of a woman with the greatest respect and love for God. It leads me and gives life force to me. I'm grateful. God's greatest gift to us is life; our greatest gift to God is what we do with that life."

"Through laughter and tears I entertain and teach others how to live. I show people how to find a better wayand people smile. Despite all our religious differences, we're all connected. It's God's love that comes from inside."

Indeed, it does. Donzaleigh's peace and life are infectious, and her career path should continue to soar as she seeks out great, inspirational, honorable movies and lives her life in a prayerful spirit of loving and giving.

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you enjoyed this article and want to know more about how you can redeem the mass media of entertainment and/or become involved in the entertainment industry, please read SO YOU WANT TO BE IN PICTURES? Dr. Baehr's book is available in bookstores and at www.movieguide.org. When you buy a copy, you get access to many informative articles from top Hollywood talent and executives.

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