Even though she had long since stopped performing, by the time I was introduced to her, Black Rep performer turned Audience Services Director Jennifer Beavers-Wright still commanded the center of attention and rightfully snatched the spotlight from any social situation or conversation.
“They need to put you on stage,” was a common response to anyone graced with her presence as she carried out the duties of her administrative role with the organization. So much so that she had a stock reply of her own.
“I used to perform when I was fresh, young and new at 22,” Jennifer Beavers-Wright would say. “Now I’m 44, and they don’t want me no more.”
It was classic Jennifer. She had a line – so quick that they all seemed prepared – for any situation.
Her timing and spunk were part of what made her one of the star performers (singer, dancer and actress) of the Black Rep for many years, and a beloved manager within the organization until 2003.
Needless to say, it was a total shock when Beavers-Wright passed away last week at the age of 53.
Black Rep regulars and local performers came to celebrate the impression she left on their lives Thursday morning at her home church of Mt. Zion.
“I hate to disappoint anyone by not reading some of my work,” said legendary local poet Shirley LeFlore. “But anyone who knew her knows that Jennifer was a poem.”
LeFlore was introduced to Beavers-Wright when she was Jenny Beavers, a student at Webster University’s acclaimed conservatory, and LeFlore was dean of students for the school.
“Her and Jenifer Lewis were my babysitters,” LeFlore said with a smile. “They set the tone for the caliber of talent that would come from the school – especially for African Americans.”
Lewis, who maintained contact with Beavers-Wright over the years, went on to earn national acclaim as an actress while Beavers-Wright did the same thing at home.
If she had a signature role, it would be that of Charlene in the popular musical Ain’t Misbehavin’, which she performed locally, regionally and nationally as a part of the Black Rep’s touring production.
“She commanded a stage like no one I’ve ever seen before,” said fellow actress and poet Marsha Cann. “And we would tell her all the time that she missed a calling by not doing stand-up as well.”
Even pastor Sammie Jones joked of the lasting impression Beavers-Wright left on him.
“Do you know how much nerve you have to have to go off on your pastor to his face?” Jones said laughing. “But that was Jennifer. She wanted things done the right way – and by the right way, she meant her way.”
It was all in good fun as he continued to discuss her many talents that she openly shared with the world. It was exactly how she wanted to be eulogized – by someone who could laugh at her antics.
Her wit – accompanied by a chuckle that could be heard from across the room – was gone, but far from forgotten, as fellow performers, classmates, family, friends and co-workers accompanied Jones in saying goodbye.
“There’s a new stage for our Jennifer now,” Cann said in her tribute poem. “And Heaven is calling places.”
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