The DC Black Theatre & Arts Festival

proudly presents

 

Confessions of a Massage Parlor Madam is based on Nicky Sunshine's initial aspirations as an actress and how rejection and low self-esteem led her down a path of sex work and addiction.

 

"My past made me feel unworthy and ashamed," Sunshine said. "Telling my story meant stepping out of the shadows of secrets and lies and embracing my personal truth. Standing in the light of who you are is empowering and I wanted to share that with others."

 

The timing of the show's run is particularly poignant in light of the #MeToo movement and the horrifying allegations against singer R. Kelly. "The revelations concerning R. Kelly are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to discussing trauma and abuse of vulnerable young people in our communities," Sunshine said. "Sex trafficking, sex work, sexual assault and exploitation occur everyday and it needs to be addressed and remedied. The MeToo conversation must be widened to include a multitude of issues, stories, and voices."

 

Confessions of a Massage Parlor Madam is just one of those stories. Although the show shines a light on the dark underbelly of sex work, Sunshine also hopes the show will educate her audience on sex work and what both women and men in this industry experience.

 

"Ultimately, I hope people see the show and are inspired to never give up on their hopes and dreams," said Sunshine.

 

 

 

 

Introducing - Nicky Sunshine:

 

Nicky Sunshine is an actress, stand up comic, producer, improv artist, and writer. She began her formal theater training at Northwestern University. While in Evanston she wrote and produced her own skits for the “African American Theater Ensemble”. During her junior year of college she studied at “Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich, Germany. While there she helped form the German based R&B group “KJ-19”. As a lead vocalist she landed a featured appearance on John “The Scatman’s” single “The Chickadee Song.” She speaks fluent Spanish and fluent German and has been awarded numerous scholarships for her language ability including a stay in Caracas, Venezuela. Nicky enjoys mimicking accents and dialects. Her unique presentation of characters won her an honorable mention in “NBC’s Stand Up for Diversity” competition and Stand Up New York’s “Music is a Joke” series.

 

As a voice over artist she has recorded numerous commercial spots for companies such as Thierry Mugler, Google, Target, and Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way Foundation”. Her “The Truth Is” campaign for the New York Times aired during the 2017 Oscars.

 

Ms. Sunshine has been a professional improv artist/actress with a security clearance for 15 years. Her skills have been utilized by the US government to train managers in national security and scientists at the National Institute of Health. She has also appeared in the independent film “Diamondz in da Ruff”. Nicky makes her reality show debut in July 2017 on FYI Network’s “A Question of Love”for 10 episodes.

 

 

 

Ticketing Information:

Date: Friday - July 5, 2019 @ Time: 7:00PM

Location: Anacostia Arts Center - 1231 Good Hope Road SE Washington, DC

Theatre

Film

Dance

Music

Art