2023 CANVAS REBEL ARTICLE
Winston , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?I decided to start my creative journey as a result of personal mental anguish. This was way before my diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in 2020. I did not understand why my pain about those I was losing was so acutely intense. I lost good friends and family members to suicide, disease, and external violence. A young man came to me after a reading of one of my plays and told me how it inspired him to find and continue his journey. These situations compelled me to establish the Rising Tides Charity organization. We are focused on helping creatives find their voice. Since then we have over hundred podcast episodes, live events, and several theatrical experiences. This will culminate with our first ever signature event in which we will give money and education directly to one person. This has become more of calling than a purpose. I believe my spirituality and desire to see our creative lives flourish, is having an impact one person at a time.
Hi Winston, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
In my life, I’ve used values as the guidepost for crafting my goals. The one that has the most impact has been “learning”. There are others that have powerful significance such as “Health, Family, Creativity, and Spirituality.” In my life. Learning and devoting my day and life to learning informs the others and makes me more successful and grows my capacity. Each day I carve out two slices of time for this value. One slice is dedicated to reading. For me reading, means a “book” as opposed emails, posts, or texts. The second slice of the day is focused on “skill”. It may a new way to use a tool to understand data. it’s sometimes information on how craft my stories and ideas. If you would have asked me this in the past I would have cited the other four because they are more sexy and relatable. I just know for me the more I learn, the more I can share, I can feel the armor of knowledge coalesce into guidance for my goals, my business, and my interactions with others..
In my life, I’ve used values as the guidepost for crafting my goals. The one that has the most impact has been “learning”. There are others that have powerful significance such as “Health, Family, Creativity, and Spirituality.” In my life. Learning and devoting my day and life to learning informs the others and makes me more successful and grows my capacity. Each day I carve out two slices of time for this value. One slice is dedicated to reading. For me reading, means a “book” as opposed emails, posts, or texts. The second slice of the day is focused on “skill”. It may a new way to use a tool to understand data. it’s sometimes information on how craft my stories and ideas. If you would have asked me this in the past I would have cited the other four because they are more sexy and relatable. I just know for me the more I learn, the more I can share, I can feel the armor of knowledge coalesce into guidance for my goals, my business, and my interactions with others..
Hi Winston, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m a writer, public speaker, and arts advocate. My life is one of fun, learning, and personal growth. I’m originally from Jamaica and grew up in New York. I came to Atlanta in my beat up jeep right before Olympics and have been here ever since. I’ve dealt with family alcoholism, abuse, and lately my personal battle with multiple sclerosis. I’ve been told that I have this altruistic view of people. I believe in every single person, period. I think we all have so much to offer and it’s our opportunity to show it. . I lead a podcast called the “Creativity Cocktail, the podcast for all creatives.”. I created this because family and friends passed and we found about their passion after they were gone. Their personal creativity was hidden and that resonated with me. In this podcast and our organization (Rising Tides Charity) that is our founding principle. I’ve had people see me as a business person and that’s not innate spirit, despite my education. My excitement and zeal explodes when I talk about our creative life. I believe when we tap into our creativity we get closer to our spirit. My journey may be similar to others, but I know what we do to honor and promote creative artists is truly a blessing. I’m thankful to all the friends, family, and those yet to become friends for the support on my life’s journey. There is so much for all of us to do in this life. Our brain gives us a signal every day. It tells us to get up, get going, and love along the way.
I’m a writer, public speaker, and arts advocate. My life is one of fun, learning, and personal growth. I’m originally from Jamaica and grew up in New York. I came to Atlanta in my beat up jeep right before Olympics and have been here ever since. I’ve dealt with family alcoholism, abuse, and lately my personal battle with multiple sclerosis. I’ve been told that I have this altruistic view of people. I believe in every single person, period. I think we all have so much to offer and it’s our opportunity to show it. . I lead a podcast called the “Creativity Cocktail, the podcast for all creatives.”. I created this because family and friends passed and we found about their passion after they were gone. Their personal creativity was hidden and that resonated with me. In this podcast and our organization (Rising Tides Charity) that is our founding principle. I’ve had people see me as a business person and that’s not innate spirit, despite my education. My excitement and zeal explodes when I talk about our creative life. I believe when we tap into our creativity we get closer to our spirit. My journey may be similar to others, but I know what we do to honor and promote creative artists is truly a blessing. I’m thankful to all the friends, family, and those yet to become friends for the support on my life’s journey. There is so much for all of us to do in this life. Our brain gives us a signal every day. It tells us to get up, get going, and love along the way.
We were honored to have the Marietta Daily Journal write a story about the production of Super Loser.
This was published a week before the show. I would link it if I could. Thank you Sally Litchfield. Click here.
STAGING HOPE
Marietta’s New Theatre in the Square brings inspirational tale ‘Super Loser’
Producer, writer and director Winston A. Wilson, center, with the cast of “Super Loser,” a story of inspiration and hope set in Atlanta’s largest comic book convention. The show hits the stage at Marietta’s New Theatre in the Square on Oct. 12 and 13.
On Oct. 12 and 13 at 8 p.m., Marietta’s New Theatre in the Square presents “Super Loser,” a story of inspiration and hope set in Atlanta’s largest comic book convention.
“The show is about an artist who is helping another young person find their voice,” said producer, writer and director Winston A. Wilson, who has lived in Cobb County for 25 years.
The title, "Super Loser," is a play on words. “A lot of people are familiar with super-something, like Superman or Supergirl or something like that. The word ‘loser’ resonates because the main character in the show, when you’re introduced to him, everyone will say he’s a loser, at least at the beginning. They will be conflicted whether they like him or not,” Wilson said.
The family-friendly show is relatable. “All of us have a moment when we may feel like we are a loser, but we’re not. ('Super Loser') is positive,” said Wilson, who wrote the play when he was going through a personal change.
“I was always a writer and I’ve always been writing. I went through a transition about five years ago. All of the plays I had written to that point were dramatic or dower. I wanted to write something that I feel. Something about creativity,” Wilson said.
“Instead of feeling down about my transition, I wrote something that was super exciting, energizing, that brings people together,” Wilson said.
Wilson chose the setting because people from different backgrounds all attend. “They have this commonality, this tribalism about that (comic book) world. I said, ‘Let’s write a story about that. That should be fun. That should something that people would want to go see, even if they don’t know that world, because people like to be inspired at some level,'” Wilson said.
The show is interactive. “There are moments in the story when audience members will be asked to participate in the show. We’re calling it ‘The Super Loser Experience,’” Wilson said.
The show is also produced by Rising Tide, an organization created by Wilson to promote creativity in times of crisis. “I started seeing all these people who have an inner creativity but they’re not using it. They feel like they have to do something else. I think we all know someone like that. The goal of the charity is help people find their creative voice. Something that breaks my heart is someone who is creative and they don’t do it,” Wilson said.
“The show has some great up and coming actors. The Marietta Theatre in the Square is such a wonderful place. The show is fun. I love the opportunity to do it,” Wilson said.
CHECK OUT THE PRESS RELEASE HERE
Marietta’s New Theatre in the Square brings inspirational tale ‘Super Loser’
Producer, writer and director Winston A. Wilson, center, with the cast of “Super Loser,” a story of inspiration and hope set in Atlanta’s largest comic book convention. The show hits the stage at Marietta’s New Theatre in the Square on Oct. 12 and 13.
On Oct. 12 and 13 at 8 p.m., Marietta’s New Theatre in the Square presents “Super Loser,” a story of inspiration and hope set in Atlanta’s largest comic book convention.
“The show is about an artist who is helping another young person find their voice,” said producer, writer and director Winston A. Wilson, who has lived in Cobb County for 25 years.
The title, "Super Loser," is a play on words. “A lot of people are familiar with super-something, like Superman or Supergirl or something like that. The word ‘loser’ resonates because the main character in the show, when you’re introduced to him, everyone will say he’s a loser, at least at the beginning. They will be conflicted whether they like him or not,” Wilson said.
The family-friendly show is relatable. “All of us have a moment when we may feel like we are a loser, but we’re not. ('Super Loser') is positive,” said Wilson, who wrote the play when he was going through a personal change.
“I was always a writer and I’ve always been writing. I went through a transition about five years ago. All of the plays I had written to that point were dramatic or dower. I wanted to write something that I feel. Something about creativity,” Wilson said.
“Instead of feeling down about my transition, I wrote something that was super exciting, energizing, that brings people together,” Wilson said.
Wilson chose the setting because people from different backgrounds all attend. “They have this commonality, this tribalism about that (comic book) world. I said, ‘Let’s write a story about that. That should be fun. That should something that people would want to go see, even if they don’t know that world, because people like to be inspired at some level,'” Wilson said.
The show is interactive. “There are moments in the story when audience members will be asked to participate in the show. We’re calling it ‘The Super Loser Experience,’” Wilson said.
The show is also produced by Rising Tide, an organization created by Wilson to promote creativity in times of crisis. “I started seeing all these people who have an inner creativity but they’re not using it. They feel like they have to do something else. I think we all know someone like that. The goal of the charity is help people find their creative voice. Something that breaks my heart is someone who is creative and they don’t do it,” Wilson said.
“The show has some great up and coming actors. The Marietta Theatre in the Square is such a wonderful place. The show is fun. I love the opportunity to do it,” Wilson said.
CHECK OUT THE PRESS RELEASE HERE
ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSITITUTION / SUPER LOSER
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It’s been six years since Marietta’s original Theatre in the Square closed its doors after nearly three decades of bringing entertaining, thought-provoking stage productions to Northsiders. It’s perhaps fitting that a new incarnation of the playhouse under the same name would reflect today’s diversity and its relevance.
Father and son Raul and N. Emil Thomas are the new general manager and artistic director, respectively, with the intent of blending Latino, African-American and other cultures in with conventional stories. “We’re now in our third season, and we want more people to know we’re back and to come get to know Marietta’s New Theatre in the Square,” Raul Thomas says. Theatre in the Square’s October production, “Super Loser,” is the story of how an unsuspecting hero brings out strengths in others. The show is by Atlanta playwright Winston Wilson. |