COURTESY LAKEETHA BLAKENEY

Lakeetha Blakeney takes a turn as children’s book author with “Princess Fearless: Walking to School.”

Not all Lakeetha Blakeney stories are meant for the stage.

Blakeney will publish her first book, “Princess Fearless: Walking to School” on Dec. 6, along with an audio book and a stage play. The play expands beyond the content of the book. It follows the story of fourth grade student Louise “Lou” Carter, whose tardiness may keep her from a school field trip. Lou is loosely based on Blakeney’s childhood story and the fears she had to overcome.

“There is one house in the neighborhood the kids in the neighborhood refuse to walk past,” Blakeney said. “They go out of their way to avoid this house. It’s a little rundown with an enormous dog. I don’t know that kids today know about getting chased by dogs the way we were chased by dogs growing up. Lou avoiding this house causes her to be late for school all the time. That’s the whole thing, trying to find a way to get to school on time to go on this field trip. Lou has to confront her fear in order to make that happen.”

The book is designed for children of all ages, specifically grades 2-5. It also includes coloring pages and questions for readers to answer at the end. She plans to start pre-sales Nov. 15.

“I have always loved to read, and I have always loved helping someone else discover that too, especially kids,” said Blakeney, who is an actress, director, writer, playwright and theater educator.

Theater bug
Blakeney has been involved in theater since graduating from UNC Greensboro with an undergraduate degree in theatre and African American studies in 2003. She teaches Welcome to the School of Theatre at her alma mater and with Theatre Gap Initiative, a nonprofit college-prep program for high school graduates who intend to pursue a fine arts degree.

“I was bit by the acting bug when I was 15 [years old],” said Blakeney, who also holds a master’s degree in English and creative writing from Southern New Hampshire University.

Blakeney found herself forced to the sidelines, like many teaching artists. As she returned to her many manuscripts, Blakeney began working with a career coach, which encouraged her to pursue her “Princess Fearless” stories.

“If COVID-19 has taught me anything, it has definitely reminded me that life is precarious and it is short, it is not promised to anybody,” she said. “If there is something you want to do, you need to do it. I appreciate being here, and I want to use every gift I’ve been given.”

In addition to publishing her first book, Blakeney is also the founder and artistic director of Redeeming History Productions. Her play “Sweet Jenn” won best original script at the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival and has been performed locally at Matthews Playhouse. She received a cultural vision grant from the Arts & Science Council to turn “Sweet Jenn” into a 30-minute short film, which she expects to premiere in 2023.

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