Richmond’s Linda Jackson-Whitmore has successfully worked in the creative aspects of the entertainment industry as a producer, director, choreographer, dancer, actor and costumer.

Whitmore started teaching in secondary education and community college in 1975 in Fremont, retiring as artistic Director at Irvington High School in Fremont in 2011 after 36 years of teaching drama and directing over 70 stage productions.

< p>However, the Creative bug returned after a two-year break and ‘Ms. J’ (as she was referred to by her students) is now teaching a beginning drama class and directing the 2014 spring show, William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”’ at Contra Costa College in San Pablo.

When asked why she gave up her restful life of a retiree, she said, “Once a Thespian, Always a Thespian. Helping people experience the cultural value of a literary composition written to be acted on stage is addicting. And to teach drama and direct in West County has been one of my goals since I moved to Richmond in 1990.”

When not acting or directing productions, Whitmore is a busy community activist. She serve as chair of the City of Richmond Oversight Board/Richmond Successor Agency; business coordinator of the Santa Fe Neighborhood Council; member of the West County Democratic Party and West County League of Women Voters; Recording Secretary of the Richmond/Contra Costa Chapter of Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) and co-chair of the Events Committee.

Her stage production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” opened Wednesday night and runs through Saturday, May 3 at the John & Jean Knox Theatre of the Performing Arts, 2600 Mission Bell Drive, San Pablo, 8 p.m. curtain.

Tickets go on sale one hour before performances, $15 General, $10 Students. For more information call (510) 215-4950.

Whitmore and BWOPA are hosting a “Women in Leadership” series at Restaurante La Revolucion, 3190 Klose Way, Richmond on Tuesday, May 27. Internationally renowned author, scholar and social activist Angela Davis will be the featured speaker. Tickets are $25 in advance, $35 at the door.

For more information, contact BWOPA at (510) 621-3680 or email

bwopa.richmondcoco@gmail.com. To become an event sponsor contact Joey D. smith at lady-Smith94801@gmail.com.

“As an educator and resident of the City of Richmond, I feel it is my obligation to push the ‘play your skills forward button’ and share my theatrical expertise and spirit of volunteerism in my community.”

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