About Us

Beatrice Watson, the Poetic Storyteller.

Through her LLC corporation, JA-WA Production, Beatrice Watson is a seasoned community advocate who uses her intuitive talent to create original theatrical productions, inspirational poetry, and short stories — work she feels she has been anointed to serve as her ministerial platform.

Beatrice Watson

Founder, Playwright, Author & Creative Educator

THE STORY BEHIND JA-WA PRODUCTIONS

A Legacy of Storytelling, Theatre and Community Impact

JA-WA Productions has been in existence for over three decades, with over fifteen original staged productions written and directed by Beatrice Watson. These plays have been produced throughout the Chicago area.

Beatrice has also conducted workshops for Mayor Daley’s After School Creative Writing and Building Self-Esteem Program for three consecutive years, as well as the Chicago School Board’s student incentive program, ‘Principal for a Day,’ where students spent a day with local business owners for four consecutive years.

30+ Years

15+ Productions

Local & National Workshops

National Impact

Theatre, Education & Community Work

Beatrice Watson has conducted creative writing and self-esteem workshops through Mayor Daley’s After School Creative Writing and Building Self-Esteem Program for three consecutive years.

She also participated in the Chicago School Board’s “Principal for a Day” student incentive programme for four consecutive years, connecting students with local business owners and professional environments.

Her educational work also expanded internationally through creative writing workshops conducted for middle-school students on overseas military bases while working as a Marketing Sales Consultant.

Stories Preserved
Through Books and Spoken Word

Simply MaDear, It Ain’t My Business, But—

A coming-of-age memoir inspired by the loving, nurturing and protective guidance of her mother, MaDear, and the mothers of that generation.

Foreword by Margaret Burroughs, founder of the Chicago DuSable Museum, author, artist and poet.

Fragments of Life

A compelling and heartwarming collection of poetic stories exploring social struggles, personal challenges and triumphs.

Includes the poem “A Boy Was Born,” a tribute to the 44th President, Barack Obama.

Comes with companion CD/DVD “Look, Here Comes the Sun!” featuring spoken-word selections from the book.

A Mother-Daughter Creative Partnership

Through her journey as a single parent, Beatrice is grateful to work with her daughter, Mia. Mia brings a fresh and insightful outlook to the goals and aspirations of JA-WA Productions.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Theatrical Management Arts and a Master’s degree in Science and Human Relations, Mia has managed local artists and handled federal assignments in Protocol Event Management and Event Planning.

Beatrice & Mia

Two Generations.
One Mission.
Endless Stories.

Keep the Stories Alive for Generations to Come

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UPCOMING WORKSHOP