Jefferson City native Keena Ferguson is shining with the stars in Hollywood for her one-person show, titled "Keena Unbranded," taking home an NAACP Theatre Award for the Best One Person Show.
After a reviewing committee came to check out Ferguson's show in 2015, "Keena Unbranded" was nominated for the theater awards in five categories: Best Director, Best Lighting, Best Playwright, Best Sound and Best One Person Show.
It wasn't until December 2016 her show was recognized at the 26th annual awards ceremony, beating Wanda Ray Willis and Merle Soden, two other notable writers/performers.
Ferguson told the News Tribune her show's title means having no labels, no brands attached to her. Prior to the production of "Keena Unbranded," she had not seen a lot of one-person shows, and it was completely experimental, she explained.
"I really just wanted to create something that would touch someone else," Ferguson said. "I've always been an artist.
"If you knew me in Jefferson City, you knew me as a dancer; and in Los Angeles, I'm known as an actor. I'm always fighting against being put in a box."
Ferguson said her journey began when she was a child participating in operetta plays and dance performances at the Little Theatre.
"Whether traumatic or not, I have these stories that have shaped who I am," Ferguson said. "To me, my one-woman show illustrates how we can live to see each other for who we are in the moment."
She said winning this award did not make or break her career but accentuates - is the cherry on top of - all of her lifelong accomplishments.
From years of dancing, Ferguson attributes discipline and balance as two key factors that have helped her to stay connected emotionally to the world, her career and her family.
She also noted her parents, Theressa and Ken Ferguson, have always been some of her biggest supporters.
"My parents never put limits on me," Ferguson said. "They let me know that there's nothing I can't do."
During the 26th annual NAACP awards ceremony, Ferguson stood on the same stage as legends like Motown producer Berry Gordy, R&B singer Kenny Latimore, actress Tonya Renee Banks, five-time NBA champion Derek Fisher, 2016 Emmy winner Obba Babatundé and actress/radio personality Tammi Mac.
"I haven't really considered myself a writer, but this accomplishment validates that, yes, I am a writer," she said.
When asked about advice she would give to others who are chasing their dreams, Ferguson said "live boldly, and don't be afraid to take a risk on yourself."