Quadruple threat

Those in the entertainment industry are all familiar with the rare triple threat — a young starlet who can sing, dance and act.

Yet, it is even less common to find a quadruple threat, someone with four amazing talents that they exhibit with passion and dedication.

Contra Costa College student Epheann English, however, has earned such a label, gaining attention for her talents as a singer, songwriter, actress and musician.

English, who was born on the Southside of Chicago, attributes her love of music to the thriving arts scene in her home city.

She said that even her name, bestowed upon her by her father Joe Louis English, holds ties to her passion.

“My name is from Ephesians, a book of the Bible. It means God has given you fruit in the land of the suffering,” English said. “And that really resonates with me, especially with all of the hardship that I have faced. But at the end there is always a positive outcome.”

Throughout her high school years, English sang and acted in various productions and events, which helped foster her love for the two passions.

“I was in many plays in high school. I had a love of being on stage,” she said. “But after I got a little older and had children, I focused more on them and their dreams. I lost track of my dreams.”

After hearing a radio announcement that the Black Repertory Theatre was staging “Sparkle” at its location in Berkeley, however, English began the rediscovering of her early loves.

A movie about three sisters following their dreams to become singers by performing around night clubs in Harlem, and the adversities they faced on the way to stardom, seemed perfect for the young starlet.

Previously, English had appeared on “The Arsenio Hall Show” and “Martin” with Martin Lawrence, performed with Wynton Marsalis and participated in shows at different venues around California.

Yet, her newest venture, “Sparkle,” is very important to her, because she has been focusing and helping everyone recently, and performing in this play was a way to help her recapture a love for the stage, she said.

“When I heard the announcement on the radio I got really excited and thought to myself that I should do it,” English said. “When I first got to the audition, the director did not pay much attention to me.”

She said that it was just her and the director in the auditorium, where she sang “Tell Me Something Good” by Chaka Khan.

“He really liked it,” English said. “He then told me to sing ‘Giving Him Something He Can Feel,’ which is a title song in the play.”

After that, the director told English that she had made the cut and asked her what part she was considering. Although she did not know at the time, English went home to watch the movie and immediately fell in love with the character Sista.

The next day, she came back and told the director that she wanted to play Sista, the eldest sister, with the sassy attitude and striking good looks.

CCC student Albertha Henry, who is also performing in the play alongside English, said English is a great leader.

“(She) is always willing to help others in need,” Henry said. “With all the work she is doing with the play, the turnout should be really good.”

Sean Vaughn Scott, director of the play, said English is a real teacher’s teacher when it comes to music, and with all the big names that she has worked with, she brings experience to the cast.  

“She is a very positive influence and keeps a really upbeat and positive attitude about everything, which is really helpful when things can become stressful,” he said.

Contact Lamar James at ljames.advocate@gmail.com

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