Lorenzo Buford
TEA TIME is the story of love between two elderly black woman who pour their lives out to each other over tea to heal the hurt from life experiences, have a renewal of friendship and celebrate being 'old wise women.'
Facing Callie's terminal illness, they share tender moments, secrets, and realize their lives have always brought them together no matter what personal events transpired in theirs lives.
Sitting down to that final cup of tea, they renew their vows of friendship and love as they assist each other with their final pact.
"Tea Time" began as a writing exercise to create a fifteen-minute play for the Los Angeles Theater Center in 1983.
After sitting in a drawer for a year and half, the script received its first stage reading at Celebration Theater in 1984. It later received a full stage production at Celebration Theater with Barbara Barnes and Rosa Hill who later perform in the twenty-minute film version.
"Tea Time" won first place at the Inner City Cultural Art Center's Short Play Competition in Los Angeles and starred Margaret Avery (Color Purple) and Elizabeth Lindsey (China Beach) in 1988.
"Tea Time" was also part of a show of Buford's work - monologues, original songs and poetry called "Dark Divas."
The full-length version received its first staged reading at Towne Street Theatre with Virginia Capers (Raisin In The Sun) and Amentha Dymally in 1999.
Later it was workshop at Columbia University with Tony award winner Gretha Boston. And 2000 OOBR winner Geany Masai in 2001.
Tea Time has recently been made into a short film.
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