Alexis Anderson
Blue & White Flash / Staff Writer
Speech Communications and Theatre majors were privileged to meet actress Cassie Davis on March 26, 2013 in the Rose E. McCoy Auditorium. The actress spoke about the ups and downs of the performing arts industry for aspiring actors.
Davis, a native of Holly Springs, Miss., is best known for her character Ella Payne on the television show “Tyler Perry’s House of Pain.” She also frequently works with director/actor Tyler Perry in a number of stage plays and has played many roles in his various productions.
Her other acting roles include the Spike Lee film “School Daze” and television appearances on a number of sitcoms including “Living Single”, “Married with Children” and “The PJ’s”.
Mark G. Henderson, Interim Chair of the Speech Communications and Theatre department and the Director of MADDRAMA said, “I think it was a great opportunity for the students. Our training is to connect our classroom experience with real life experience. It is an extension of becoming an aspiring actress.”
Davis talked about the struggles she faced during her childhood and how difficult it was to become an actress without any support from family. She also shared stories about her relationship with Perry.
“I first meet Perry in Atlanta after I moved from Mississippi. Tyler was so intrigued to meet me, yet he was funny and laid back about his approach,” said Davis
Many students were impressed and honored to meet the Mississippi-born actress.
Chris Cox, a senior political science major from Moss Point, Miss., said, “Performing for Cassie was a great feeling, she was an inspirational actress for me growing up as well as my family. I hope to see her soon on the big screen again.”
James Lehaman, a mass communications graduate student from Greenwood, Miss., said, “Cassie Davis has been an inspiration today and she inspired so many people with her life story. It was an honor to perform for her and present her with an honorary award.”
Davis closed the discussion with a Q&A session for students and took several photos with the student body and the community.
