In Eenie Meanie a black man approaches Teresa and asks, “Why did you write this?” “Because it’s mine,” she answers. Eenie Meanie was conceived by performance poet Teresa Willis in 2001. Having developed an engaging voice and a performance style through her activity in the LA Poetry scene since 1990, she yearned for a way to delve into a topic in a longer format that brought together all her artistic passions: writing, acting, and singing. Eenie Meanie answered this yearning and allowed Teresa to explore a topic that she has been fiercely committed to since childhood – the eradication of racism.

Teresa was fascinated by the memories of her own innocent reactions to African-Americans as a child. Her sense of indignation for their social plight seemed surprising given her lily-white upbringing in Kentucky during the 1960’s. In Teresa’s examination of the thread of that innocent fascination as it wound its way throughout her life, she discovered a story that needed to be told.

Eenie Meanie had its first preview performance on July 26, 2003 at the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock in Eagle Rock California. Later that summer on August 29, the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center hosted a  workshop performance at Ed Gould Plaza in West Hollywood. From there Eenie Meanie was booked for subsequent performances at The Performance Loft in Redlands, California, as well as two separate performances at California Polytechnic Institute, Pomona. In March of 2005, Teresa was chosen from hundreds of applicants to appear at the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival where she performed an excerpt of Eenie Meanie. And in August of 2005, Teresa, Elizabeth and the Eenie Meanie production team wowed audiences at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland.

In 2006, Eenie Meanie was invited back to the LA Women’s Theatre Festival and Teresa performed another excerpt for the Festival=. The show also toured Kentucky and made an appearance at the Cincinnati Fringe Festival. In Cincinnati, Eenie Meanie was the only Fringe entry to be awarded the prestigious Acclaim Award for excellence in theatre. Eenie Meanie was also accepted from thousands of applicants into the New York International Fringe Festival, where the show opened to rave reviews in August of 2006.

Now, Eenie Meanie is preparing for its Los Angeles Premiere run at the Open Fist Theatre opening on October 15, 2007.

Audience response to Eenie Meanie has been universally enthusiastic. Teresa’s personal journey evokes a deep sense of identification in many who see the show. The show often evokes intense emotion and lengthy discussion. The messages of personal responsibility and the connectedness of all are timely and timeless. It is this facet of the show that lifts it above normal theatrical productions. Eenie Meanie is activism. For this reason, many who have seen it are inspired to support it.

Tax-deductible donations are being accepted to help defray production costs. Checks can be made payable to OFTC and given to Teresa or mailed to the address below.

Say Tiger Productions
2219 W. Olive Ave., PMB 117
Burbank, CA 91506