King has dreamed of directing a film ever since he was a young man. A native of Coldwater, Mississippi, King’s father was a farmer and his mother was a school teacher. As a college student, his mentor was famed author Margaret Walker Alexander. Though her, he was able to meet a range of interesting people. Always good at networking, he made sure to get contact info from most of them which came in handy later. After he graduated from Jackson State University, King went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Theatre from Texas Christian University and did his doctoral work at the University of Texas at Dallas. For all his accomplishments and accolades, King most enjoys helping people to develop their own artistic talents. “I enjoy working with the kids. Seeing people come through here with their talent is a real joy to me. These are brilliant, young, smart kids. They come in with their heads down and leave here with their heads up.” King insists on taking a no nonsense approach with his young students. Cell phones are not allowed. He also insists that they each bring a dictionary. “They must learn to think on their feet,” he says. “They can have fun, but they have to take the opportunity seriously.” His students also need to have or develop an “I am; I will do” attitude. This is probably the most important aspect of what they will learn. “I love to help raise money and be with these amazing people that look like me, that can create a different kind of world,” says King. But manifesting all these dreams and creations has not been easy by any means. The biggest challenge is raising the money necessary for day-to-day operations. “Drumming up funding support and keeping costs low is a constant battle,” he says. In addition, the small staff of the organization must often navigate city politics and bureaucracy. Plus, manage the various needs and circumstances of artists, students and supporters. The Dallas Independent School District supports the institution with funding as does the City of Dallas. As of now, only a very small percentage comes from corporate and foundation donors. Says King, “We really need a generous angel to give us the boost we need.” In November of 2017, Dallas City Council gave special recognition to Curtis King for his 41 years of work in the arts community and for creating the iconic role TBAAL serves in Dallas, nationally and internationally. The award proclaimed “This special recognition is for someone who has brought arts and culture to a new level in the city of Dallas.” At the ceremony, TBAAL volunteer and former employee Dion Hood said he has learned a lot from the institution. “This organization has such a rich history,” Hood said. “The arts has been afforded and made available to all of Dallas and the Metroplex and all over the country because of Mr. King. I support the arts because it has a way of allowing children to use their creativity and talents. It allows them to create a safe haven and teaches kids values, disciplines and morals, and also things that are necessary for them to grow and develop into a successful person, just like the man we are honoring, Mr. King.” To be successful, King advises people to, “be persistent and consistent…when you get a ‘no’, do not be discouraged. No is not always negative. Someone else may say yes. Maybe at another time it will be a yes.” Also he says, “Keep an open mind. LISTEN, observe. Trust your instincts and keep your spirit. Know in your heart of hearts that God will lead you in a right path as long as you do the right thing.” You have to keep your dreams alive, after all, as King says, “Dreams and visions tie us to purpose and destiny.” For more information on TBAAL and upcoming events go to https://www.tbaal.org Cause Magazine
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