“There is no road to success but through a clear, strong purpose. Nothing can take its place. A purpose underlies character, culture, position, attainment of every sort” (T.T. Munger).
While embarking on that road to success demands a clear, strong purpose, the journey becomes much more rewarding, enlightening, and fulfilling for those goal-oriented travelers who take the time to notice, explore, and embrace all those ever-present, seemingly-chance coincidences along their life’s path.
Playwright, dramaturg, and indie film writer and producer, Lamont Wheeler, is one such authentic and astute creative soul on that path to creative success. As is the story with most creative, purpose-driven genuises, Lamont Wheeler’s love for conceptualizing, creating, orchestrating, and promoting his productions started at a very early age. While other kids in his neighborhood were spending hours trying to reach the next level on their favorite video game, Wheeler was creating characters, weaving plots, and writing storylines for his plays and brainstorming ideas for his indie films.
His unbridled enthusiasm and passion for the creative view inspired many of his peers to put down the remote and pick up a pen or a camera; soon he was collaborating with, teaching, assisting, and inspiring others. As the owner of Wisdom Vision Productions – a creative company that produces plays, films, and documentatiries, Wheeler’s earned the reputation for being the community’s creative genius with a positive message to share.
Ever welcoming chances to learn, share, and expand his craft, Wheeler didn’t hesitate to visit California when the opportunity arose. With gumption in his stride, faith in his heart, and a portfolio of projects in tow, Wheeler set his compass to San Diego for a season to produce one of his plays. Once there, he traversed the town and succesfully secured a stage for his production, hired the actors, directed the performance, and promoted the event. Wheeler’s venture to California for a few months was a success not only because it affirmed his ability to orchestrate and produce a production in previously-unchartered waters, but also because he was able to spend time exploring the sites and sounds of a burgeoning city.
Wheeler returned to Cleveland with a new spark. In addition to continuing writing his own plays, assisting others with their productions, and conceptualizing storylines for indie films, he became inspired to create documentaries on real-world challenges of people of the city streets; as always, his work is weaved with hope-filled, positive messages for the audience.
As a direct result of not only his exceptional skills in orchestrating and leading ideation sessions to foster divergent thinking and generate specific plans of action in the creation and launching of new concepts, storylines, and productions, but also his extensive experience in developing both innovative, original content for performance, Wheeler is actively sought after and recruited by others to provide creative leadership, cutting-edge initiatives, and strategically-mapped directives in all facets of helping to mastermind and bring unforgettable experiential storytelling projects to fruition.
To continue to hone his skills as a writer, actor, producer, and business professional, Wheeler not only makes definitive choices but also acknowledges and embraces the serendipitous moments in his life. He embarked on a season of formal study at the renowned Karamu House; at this premier theatre in Cleveland, he studied the principles and techniques of creating believable characters through action, improvisation, analysis, movement, vocal control, scene study, and interpretation. In addition, he is working on his Bachelor’s degree and has completed three years of undergraduate coursework in Business Management at Kaplan University toward that goal.
Further, with understanding that opportunities to learn, grow, improve, and become a better person and professional are ever-present on one’s path in life, Wheeler experienced the unique opportunity to meet with, be mentored by, and gain firsthand, insightful industry information from world-renowned actors.
In fact, it was his daily, two-week long informal tutelage with the late, great actor Leslie Nielsen that encouraged him to continue to follow his dreams and never settle or give up.
Phew. His list of goals, experiences, and accomplishments is impressive. Artist, writer, idea person extraordinaire. That’s Lamont Wheeler – on the road to success.
