EATONTON, Ga. — Rashawd Ford is about as happy and excited as he’s ever been.

There’s good reason.

He is embarking on a dream come true.

Since he was a student at Putnam County High School, Ford, now 23, has wanted to put on a theatrical production in his hometown.

Thanks in part to his persistence and many talks with officials at The Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton, he has been afforded the opportunity.

The Young Director Series starts with his directing “The Color Purple,” written by Putnam County native daughter Alice Walker, who went on to fame by winning the National Book Award and literature’s most coveted award, the Pulitzer Prize. Her novel exploring themes of racism and sexism, domestic violence and religion, was later turned into an Academy Award-nominated film.

Walker’s “The Color Purple” and her other literary works have culturally impacted millions of people around the world.

“It’s so profound for me to do her story because it’s such a great story written for people of color such as myself,” Ford told The Union-Recorder in a recent telephone interview. “I am deeply honored and excited about directing ‘The Color Purple.’”

He said described the book as powerful.

“It has always resonated with me on a personal level,” Ford said. “As a director, I approach this work not only as a creative opportunity, but as a heartfelt exploration of themes that shape our lives, family, identity and the healing power of community.”

Ford said he hopes young people will be inspired not only by Walker’s accounts of what life was once like in Putnam County but that they are also inspired by acting it out on a theatrical stage.

He graduated from Putnam County High School in 2019.

During his four years of high school, Ford was active in theater and performed in several productions put on by Jennifer Morris, who at that time was the school’s theatre director. Morris now works at Georgia Military College Prep School in Milledgeville.

“I learned so very much about theatre from Mrs. Morris and her assistant Emily Gibson,” Ford said.

He recalled that in eighth grade, he and his classmates attended a spring musical at the high school.

Ford said he loved it.

The next year as a freshman, he attended a one-act play and that inspired him even more.

“Once I saw that, I knew right away that theater was something I wanted to do and be involved with from all aspects,” Ford said. “It’s my passion.”

He said what he learned from Morris and Gibson inspired him to become a drama teacher.

Ford works as the theatre director at Peachtree Academy, a private Christian school in Newton County.

He said people often acquaint his style of teaching theatre to Morris’ style.

In addition to teaching theatre at the private school, Ford is also enrolled at The American Musical Academy in New York.

He aspires to someday perform on Broadway and to direct a Broadway production.

“It’s all in God’s hands. Wherever he leads me is where I will go,” he said.

Ford said when he talked with officials at The Plaza Arts Center about directing ‘The Color Purple’, he was told the staff had never entertained such a request. But because they were eager to dabble in new ventures, they listened to his presentation and were impressed.

The production marks the first time in the history of The Plaza Arts Center that a young thespian has taken the helm as director of a theatre production.

“‘The Color Purple’ is particularly exciting for us at The Plaza because it is so meaningful for our town,” said Dr. Susan Usry, executive director of The Plaza. “Added to that is the fact is the fact that we get to showcase one of our own Broadway Intensive cast members as the director. That’s a win-win for us at The Plaza.”

Ford said he was inspired by his family to direct “The Color Purple.”

Ford said his mother, Denice Waller, has always supported him. His maternal grandmother, the late Ida Collins, and his paternal grandmother, Regina Ogilibe, offered support as well.

Ford said he hopes the production demonstrates to young people that they can do anything they set their minds to.

“Don’t limit yourself to all the little things in life when the world offers so many other things, too, where you can express yourself and your talent,” Ford said.

Ford will direct a five-night production of “The Color Purple.”

The first performance takes place Feb. 22 and runs through March 1.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at https://plazacenter.org/.