(Los Angeles Times - June 17, 2005) "Sunshine for a Midnight Weary," presented by EMBODI
Entertainment at the Inglewood Playhouse, is a fine opportunity to see a dedicated acting ensemble ply
its craft. Director Angela Matemotja and her fellow performers infuse November Dawn's fiercely poetical
drama with affecting grace and candor.

Largely made up of loosely linked monologues, the play looks at the travails women of color confront in
their daily lives. Their yearning for light and meaning is a blatant connecting theme (a bit ironic, considering
that the gloomy lighting keeps the actresses in near-darkness for much of the time).
The subject matter is freewheeling, to say the least. Among the characters, we meet a lesbian confronting
the raw hatred of the "hetero world," a junkie trapped in the downward spiral of her addiction, and several
abused women whose anger has reached critical mass.

There's rage aplenty to be found in this desultory mix, but there's also humor, pathos and robust sensuality.
Unfortunately, Dawn's writing is occasionally overwrought and hackneyed. However, at its best, it takes
on the raw urgency of a Beat era poet, with the same sweeping, stream-of-consciousness tone.
Besides Matemotja, the consistently high-quality cast includes Tasia Sherel, Brandy Maddox, Tammi
Rashonda, Renee McSwain, Erica Pitts, Shannon Shepherd, Brianna Brown, and Baadja. The play's
emphasis on female bonding is appropriate. Indeed, these performers are so closely bonded in style and
commitment, they often seem to function as one organism.

(January 14, 2005 – Los Angeles) The NAACP and the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office named Angela
Matemotja as a nominee for its coveted Theatre Award. The director is recognized for her choreography
in EMBODI Entertainment’s staging of november dawn’s “Sunshine for a Midnight Weary”. The riveting
piece, executive produced by Tasia Sherel, was featured in the repertory’s 2003-04 season. It will return
on April 7 - May 1 to the Complex Theatre (www. complexhollywood.com) for an encore run.

“Sunshine for a Midnight Weary” has been described as “chaotic soul searching with the grace and
simplicity of a sublime ballet.” Especially tailored from its coed format for EMBODI’S all-female company,
robust characters grope through their past and present grasping for one last attempt at a life in the light.
On the way, the audience is reminded of bitter realities such as: dreams deferred, domestic violence,
racism, poverty and suicide. Onlookers witness, “planets colliding in a desperate attempt to find the
sun.” This collision of raw energy between dissimilar characters proves to be a fusion of jubilee and
lamentations in the portrayal of issues that plague this colorful sector of mankind.

The Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP founded the Annual Theatre Awards to honor trailblazers who continue
to recreate and invigorate theatre. The NAACP’s illustrious 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award will be
presented to Laurence Fishburne (Matrix Trilogies, Mystic River). The Gala will award its 2005 Trailblazer
Award to the Negro Ensemble Company. Matemotja will vie for the honor alongside fellow nominees
Debbie Allen and Madonna Grimes. The 15th annual gala will be held on Monday, February 21 at the
historic Vision Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

About Angela Matemotja
Born in the former Soviet Union, Angela Matemotja came to America at the tender age of eight and
discovered a passion for acting. This passion led Angela to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, British American
Drama Academy, and American Academy of Dramatic Arts of which she is a graduate. Her rich training
and productive partnership with her husband Alan Mulhall is apparent in every production.

About EMBODI Entertainment & Tasia Sherel
EMBODI Entertainment is Los Angeles’ first African-American female theatre repertory. The company,
founded by Tasia Sherel, strives to provide a venue to exalt diversity through the arts. To learn more
about their commitment to producing though-provoking art, visit EMBODI online at www.embodi.org.

About november dawn
After the publication of “Cries of a Young Girl” and her sophomore book, “the dawning”, november
dawn triumphantly returns with her haunting choreoplay “Sunshine for a Midnight Weary”. She is a
tireless advocate of human decency and respect…no matter how she gets it across. For more
information on november dawn, visit www.novemberdawn.com.

(November 15, 2003 – Los Angeles) EMBODI Entertainment closes out its groundbreaking, inaugural
season with the haunting choreoplay, “Sunshine for a Midnight Weary”. The latest offering from two-time
published author and filmmaker, november dawn, the riveting piece is the third installment in the season
of Los Angeles’ first Black female repertory company. The production also signals the company’s return
to The Split.Id Theater in the Complex, home to EMBODI’S first theatrical production, “Voices of the
Black Woman”.

“Sunshine for a Midnight Weary” has been described as a “chaotic soul searching with the grace and
simplicity of a sublime ballet.” Tailored from its coed format for EMBODI’S all-female company, nine
robust characters grope through their past and present grasping for one last attempt at a life in the light.
On the way the audience is reminded of bitter realities such as: dreams deferred, domestic violence,
racism, poverty and suicide. Onlookers witness, “planets colliding in a desperate attempt to find the
sun.” This collision of raw energy between dissimilar characters proves to be a fusion of jubilee and
lamentations in the portrayal of issues that plague the colorful sector of mankind.

EMBODI Entertainment’s founder, Tasia Sherel, stands at the helm as the executive producer. EMBODI
resident, Angela Matemotja brings her rich training from Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre & the British
American Drama Academy to direct. Sound design is by the husband and wife team, Angela and Alan
Mulhall. Light & Set design is by EMBODI resident, Michelle Merring-Hayes and husband Jason Hayes.
The show will open Thursday, December 4 at 8:00 pm and run through Saturday, December 13, which
is a matinee show at 4:00 pm.

About november dawn
After the publication of “Cries of a Young Girl” and her sophomore book, “the dawning”, november dawn
triumphantly returns with her haunting choreoplay “Sunshine for a Midnight Weary”. She has also
committed her talents to the film arena creating such works as “Poor Man’s Blues”, “Light” and “Like
Grown Folks Do”. She is a tireless advocate of human decency and respect…no matter how she gets it
across. For more information on november dawn, visit www.novemberdawn.com.

About EMBODI entertainment
EMBODI Entertainment, L.A.’s exclusive African-American and female-owned entertainment group, is a
non-profit organization founded by Tasia Sherel. The company’s strives to provide a venue to exalt diversity
thru the arts. The company produces three theatrical productions annually, while providing workshops in
Acting, Dancing, Directing and Writing. To learn more about their commitment to producing thoughtprovoking
material, visit EMBODI online at www.embodi.org.