A one-night immersive storytelling event inspired by the feature screenplay, The Weight of Silence by Shannan E. Johnson.
THE STORY
The Weight of Silence is a contemporary Southern crime drama feature set against the rarely seen world of Black cowboys in Houston, Texas.
After her estranged father, a revered Black cowboy, is murdered in a string of serial decapitations, a sharp, guarded butcher returns home to bury him and get the hell out of Houston, only to be pulled into an investigation that re-entangles her in a toxic love triangle and exposes a buried family secret she's spent her life running from.
The Professional Pen in association with LATex Media presents:
WOS LIVE:
WHO KILLED CALVIN?
THE EXPERIENCE
The Weight of Silence Live is an immersive storytelling event that invites audiences into the world of the feature script of the same name that explores Black rodeo culture, mystery, and family secrets. More than a staged reading, this experience is a bold reimagining of how stories are introduced to Hollywood, blending performance, atmosphere, and innovation.
Sidney Johnson, Calf Roper by Shane Proctor
(Carlyle Kings Roping Pen - Kendleton, TX)
The Cast
-
Birgundi Baker
Kennedy Leslie
Credits: The Chi, Praise This -
Zachariah Rogers
Beau Robicheaux
Credits: P-Valley, The Oval, Genius: Aretha -
Jon Chaffin
Tedrick “Teddy” James
Credits: Diarra from Detroit, Perry Mason, BMF -
Omar J. Dorsey
Calvin “Cowboy” Leslie
Credits: Bookie, Queen Sugar, Harriet -
Shari Bihms-Ervin
Narrator
Credits: A Lesson Before Dying, Tonies -
Jeff Prater
Captain
Credits: Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story, Criminal Minds, Chameleon -
Deborah Joy Winans
Josie
Credits: Greenleaf, Whitney, Born For This: The Bebe Winans Story -
Cairo Spenceer
Josh
Credits: Bel-Air, Mecca -
Reno Warmath
Shep
Credits: Looters, Background -
Amad Jackson
Philip
Credits: The Ladykillers, Lackawanna Blues, St. Denis Medical -
Rolando Boyce
Marshall
Credits: The Chi, Scandal, Lights Out -
Geffri Maya
Brianna
Credits: All-American, All-American: Homecoming, Snowfall -
Leshay Boyce
Mrs. Maynard
Credits: Wine in the Wilderness, From Scratch, FBI: Federal Bureau of Infidelity -
Jessica Frances Dukes
Ma Rae
Credits: The Westies, Ozark, The Gilded Age -
Armani Greer
Teenage Kennedy
Credits: Why Did I Get Married Again?, A Snowfall Saga: The Drop, The Waterboyz -
Jeremie Rivers
Day Player 2
Credits: Games People Play, She Had To Ask -
Paul Archer
Day Player 3
Credits: Abbott Elementary, NCIS: New York, Good Trouble -
Michael Monks
Day Player 4
Credits: Code 3, Dr. Sleep, Self Custody -
Misty Anderson
Day Player 5
Credits: Spartacus: Blood and Soul, G.B.F., Mean Girl -
Maria Pallas
Day Player 6
Credits: Shining Vale, High Potential, Night Court
WOS LIVE CREW
Celia Douglas
Gelisa Ross
Jordan Spry
Kenya Robinson
KiKi Williams
Nava Goodman
Nino Vilago
Samlyne Georges
COWBOY MUSEUM
Photography
Shane Elizabeth
S. Elizabeth Studios
Email
ON-SITE PHOTOGRAPHER
Dwight James III
Founder + Creative Director
Website
Email
EVENT RECORDING
Jamal Josef
Director. Cinematographer. Photographer.
Website
IG: @jamaljosef / @jjalphaphotography
EXTRAS
Me’Shell Whittaker
Brandon Berry
Bronc Rider by Shane Proctor (Kendleton, TX)
THANK YOU TO OUR
DONORS
Without you, we couldn’t help fresh voices reach Hollywood through unique pathways.
TRAIL BOSSES
Ron Worthem
Zerika Lee
Brian Monte
RANCH HANDS
Byronné Hearn
Fredell Harding
Dr. Georgetta H. Johnson
Joseph Pete
Dr. Shawn Johnson-Burrell
Carlton L. Allen
CO-CONSPIRATORS
Andrena Fowler
Ashton Baltrip
Ashton Remo
Brandon Folwer
Bryan Clark
Carla Stewart
Dr. Charisma Edwards
Charlene Harper
Chrystal Beasely
Diamond Whitmire
Dionne Eleby
Exodia Demosthene
Fallon Brannon
Hanne van der Iest
Ja'Mesa Dixon
James Bland
Joanita Katende
Johnny Lawrence
Kamell Webster
Kara Janelle Wade
Latasha Mercer
Maco Faniel
MaryAnne Henderson
Morgan Lester
Natalie Jones
Okema T. Moore
Shante Michelle Thompson
Shawanna Johnson
Tamea D. Scales
Tanir Upshaw
TaQuez Whitted
Tatiana Johnson
Akil DuPont
Alan Holt
Brandon Miree
Camille Hill
Cassandra Mann
Charlene Little
Dana Shuler
Eunetra Rutledge
Fleur Akouete
James Phillips
Jamie Nieto
Joe Murchison
Joseph Fobbs
Katrina Smith
Kevin Johnson
LaShawnte Holloman-Clay
Lynneisha Ray
Marcus Hettig
Monique Green
Nofisat Almaroof
Roland Lambo, Jr.
Tasha Jackson
Tierra Merriwether
Anesia Sandifer
Alicia Gordon
Ariel Driskell
Chelsea St. Julien
Jerren Willis
Brittany Scott
Crys-chelle Tate
Genia Lear Morgan
Iman Zawahry
Belinda Clay
Brandii Mayes
GrantTyler Paul Gilmore
Alicia Bergeron Jarrett
Ashley Burson
Ashley Gaines
Ashley Martin
Candice Nicole
Carmen Wallace
Chris May
Danette Porter
Danielle Glover
Daphne R. Wells
David Brown
Douthulia Gardner
Floyd Marshall, Jr.
Jay Vince
Justin Foster
Kerry Phillips
Mary Sheppard
Nina Benn
Porsche Lee Mattox
Quynn Johnson
Raenel Smedley
Rhonisha Hubbard
Robin Newton
Sauda Johnson
Tyam Richard
Warnessa Hightower
Arkisha Gathright
Britany E Rickett
Camilla Gilbert
Christanell Lucas
Courtney White
Darius Jerome Gourdine
Erin Bass
Jolea Bryant Payne
Lashon Pierce Berry
Linda Hunter
Martrica Allums
Mike Moss
Rebecca Guillory
Steven Lucas
Tamika Whitmire Jelks
Terrance Anderson
Xion Lester
Deatrice Clark
Amber Johnson Robinette
Banke Awofeso
Chrstina Cruise
Desola Awofeso
Mfoniso Akpan
Paris Crayton, III
Anthony Anderson
Ashli Henderson
Barbara Bedikos
Ben Landry
Christine Adolphe
Deshawna Sherman
Dr. Jesse J. Watson
Eboni Harris
Ernest Washington
Frederick H. Griffin
Geré Cole
Jesse McNeil, Jr.
LaCora Stephens
Ray Stubblefiend
Schyler Greggs
Seth Williams
Sharolyn Montgomery Nichols
Alexia Peebles
Arnedia Wallace
Arquila Todd
Beverly Ashley
Broderick Maxwell
Chris Martin
Curtis Richard
Dr. Giani Clarkson
Jermaine Harvey
Marjorie Tingle
Nickolas Gavin
Pedro Holley, III
Richard Delancy
Steve Sterling
Therman Lee
Tia Smith
Tigist Bisrat
Tristan Barracks
Edward James Patterson
Tina Slyvester
Bashir Ramsey
Dijon Tarlton
Jeremy Johnson
Kerlin Blaise
Lyndon Pryor
Natalie Mitchell
Tim Johnson
Le Nguyen
Stacey Sheperd James
SPECIAL THANKS
Tristan Barracks
Jamal Josef
The Team
-
-
Jason Dirden
DIRECTOR
An actor, writer and director; Jason's work has stretched from Broadway to the screen. Working opposite the likes of Denzel Washington and Viola Davis, his audience favorites include Greenleaf, American Soul and Power Book III: Raising Kanan. -
Artis J. Olds
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Through The Art Is Brand, Artis partners with artists, institutions, and organizations to shape experiences rooted in culture.
Credits: STOMP, October London, Kanye West, Expo 2025 Osaka
Email -
LATEX Media
EVENT PARTNER
LATex Media is a multi-platform production company that develops and produces bold & authentic narrative film and television content for global audiences through innovative storytelling, strategic partnerships, and branded networking events.
Team: Rodney Turner, Founder/CEO, Tawana Turner, Partner
Website -
Ian E. Weir
AI TRAILER VISUAL DIRECTOR
A filmmaker who shoots, edits, and scores his own work and has spent 17 years teaching documentary filmmaking at the college level. He brings a naturalist's patience, a storyteller's eye, and a drummer's sense of timing to his work, with a sprinkle of Weird Magic.
Email Website YouTube -
Kristen V. Carter
AI TRAILER PRODUCER
An award-winning television executive producer, filmmaker and educator from Newark, New Jersey, Kristen’s production credits include ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood, GOSPEL Live! Presented by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and the record-breaking 2026 BET Awards Red Carpet Livestream. She also wrote and directed the acclaimed short film First Date, airing on Aspire TV and Kweli TV.
Email -
Adrian Bent
AI Trailer Composer
The Name’s Slim (Best Original Film Score), Ginny’s Enterprise (Best Original Film Score), Morningside
Email -
Brittney Harris
CREATIVE STRATEGIST
Specializing in conversation-driven campaigns, experiential marketing, and audience engagement, Brittney develops thoughtful, high-impact activations that help independent creatives and brands generate meaningful buzz through strategic storytelling, authentic connections, and memorable experiences. -
Stefen Paris
SPONSORSHIP PRODUCER
Screenwriter, creative strategist, and civic and community engagement connector, Stefen’s work allows him to bring people, brands, and stories together through meaningful partnerships, authentic storytelling, and experiences that create lasting impact. -
Shari “Ri” Bihms
SPONSORSHIP PRODUCER
An entertainment event producer and fundraising strategist specializing in high-profile events, film initiatives, and impactful experiences, Shari connects creatives, brands, and investors through events that inspire engagement and lasting partnerships.
FOLLOW OUR JOUNEY TO THE BIG SCREEN
