Tennessee Native, Byron Saunders and Philadelphia Native, Elizabeth Flax Branch made names for themselves as top notch Theater Artists in New York City well-over three decades ago.  As Director, Actor, Dramaturg, Producer, Instructor, roles that they have both excelled in one will find that their resumes are New York City fattened.  

So one would ask both Byron Saunders, Actor, Director, Producer, Playwright, Stage Manager, Civil Rights Activist, and Radio Host, and Elizabeth Flax Branch Producer, Director, Actor (Stage, Television, and Film), Voice Artist, Educator, Visual and Graphic Design Artist, why they left the bright lights in New York for the Arts Scene in North Carolina?  Hmm?  What gives?  Why the Reversed Migration?

In this the 16th episode of “The Chocolate Scoop” podcast, Producer/Host Nikki Williams is not going to give away the answers in this podcast description.  You will have to listen to the podcast to hear about their passionate, exciting, successful, and yes, challenging lives as Veteran Members of Black Theater.  When things are going great, you happily and joyfully take that script and “Rock with the Role,” but when you face the inevitable rocky challenges that are part and parcel of the up and down business of Film and Theater, especially if you are a Black Artists working on set and stage, you just gonna haveta “Rock with the Roll.”

Either way, in high water or drought, Elizabeth Flax Branch and Byron C. Saunders’ Passion for the Theater Arts have never run dry.  As they did in New York, both have found blooming seasons spilling over, and sweet success in North Carolina.  Neither being a Native New York, they are doing what a lot of what those who were part of the Great Migration have done – leaving New York to go back Down South.  Doing what most Black Folk are known to do and that is to “Keep it Movin’ “  Without giving too much away, this episode of “The Chocolate Scoop” podcast promises that he listen will find this to be a captivating conversation that is sure to uplift, inspire, and motivate.  New York and Winston Salem North Carolina, as well as Greensboro North Carolina, have green grass. Both Byron C. Saunders and Elizabeth Flax Branch have learned to roll back the Rock and blossom where they stand!

 - Nikki Williams

Producer/Host

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