CHASING THE DREAM: North Carolina A&T grad rolling with the punches

Photo: Actress Zonya Love (Johnson) stars in the Broadway production of The Color Purple. The Durham, N.C. native earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from North Carolina A&T State University and a Masters of Fine Arts in Theatre from UNLV.

NCA&T and UNLV grad looking toward future as big break in 'Color Purple' comes to end.

It's one of those moments that can break a career -- or a heart.

There Zonya Love was, an aspiring actress fresh from completing her graduate studies in the UNLV theater department, vying for the role of a woman on a long journey of self-discovery, a path marked by bruises and scars, tough luck and tougher skin.

It was last November, and after months of auditioning for the role of "Celie" in the Broadway production of "The Color Purple," Love got one of those calls that can change a life.

"They called me into the room, and the producer said, 'So, can we officially call you Ms. Celie?'" Love says, her voice still scorched with incredulity. "My eyes got big, my mouth opened wide, and I was taken aback for a second. I remember twirling around and shaking hands, keeping my composure, and then going into the restroom and I just lost it. I was crying. I was praising God. I was dancing. It was the best feeling. Ever."

CONTINUE READING THIS ASPIRING STORY ON ZONYA LOVE BY CLICKING ON BLOG TITLE.

Zonya Love made her Broadway debut as Celie in the hit musical The Color Purple, on January 9, 2008, alongside Chaka Khan as Sofia and BeBe Winans as Harpo. It also stars Elisabeth Withers-Mendes as Shug Avery, Alton Fitzgerald White as Mister, Darlesia Cearcy as Nettie and Krisha Marcano as Squeak.

A native of Durham, North Carolina, Love received a BFA in theatre from North Carolina A&T State University,(AGGIE PRIDE!!!) and a MFA in theatre from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. She moved to New York in September 2007 and was teaching theater and Head Start classes when she got a callback for The Color Purple. Love's previous stage credits include Intimate Apparel, Wit, You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Smokey Joe's Cafe.

Her parents are Zander Johnson Sr. and Earline Shackleford and she has five siblings.

The Color Purple was produced by Oprah Winfrey, Quincy Jones, and others...

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