The Division of Student Development and the Rambler Brotherhood Project welcomed award-winning playwright Harold Ellis Clark to Lake Shore Campus this October to share a powerful presentation on storytelling followed by a live reading of an excerpt from his play, Fishers of Men on October 23. 

Students, faculty, and staff filled the seats in the Crown Auditorium to hear life lessons and insight into Clark’s lifelong passion for writing. 

Clark recounted to students, “I always had a passion for storytelling, even as a kid. But it was a professor in college who praised my writing and got me thinking that perhaps it was something I ought to pursue seriously." 

In his twenties, Clark embarked on a journey to become a novelist. He worked with James N. Frey, a writer and creative writing teacher known for his book, How to Write a Damn Good Novel, to learn the craft of fiction. Through this mentorship, Clark learned the mechanics of long-form narrative – conflict, indirect dialogue, characterization, and so on. He wrote numerous unpublished novels for several years. 

Eventually, Clark, a New Orleans native, secured a literary agent for his novel, Chummy’s Spirit, inspired by stories of the Vietnam War through his family and friends. He traveled to Vietnam in 2000 to research the novel and learn from locals who had lived through the war and shared their stories. 

“I was so moved and in awe of the people that I met and the openness with which they shared their experiences of the war with me, even having known them for such a short time,” Clark remembered. 

Although Clark ultimately worked with two different literary agents, he was unable to secure a publisher. Frustrated with the process, Clark self-published the novel in 2006. It became the number one fiction bestseller for several weeks at his local Barnes and Noble, and attracted additional attention from yet another literary agent, who was unable to garner a publishing contract.

“I quit writing novels after that,” confessed Clark. “But a mentor said that I had a great talent for dialogue and I should consider writing plays.” 

Thus began Clark’s career – or ministry – as a playwright in 2010.  

“I have always looked at my work as a ministry. Not because I'm preaching or have a message to impart, but because I’m in it for the long haul. It’s not a hobby, it’s serious business. That’s what keeps me writing. Whether someone produces it, I self-produce, or no one ever reads it,” said Clark.  

Following Clark’s presentation and a reading of an excerpt from his play, Fishers of Men, performed by a cast of local professional actors and directed by veteran theatrical consultant Luther Goins, students had a chance to ask questions and connect with Clark and the actors.

Cameron Wright was one such student, a sophomore in the business program and a member of the Rambler Brotherhood Project. 

"Mr. Clark is a masterful oralist with an extraordinary passion for the art of storytelling. From the stone age of barbaric communication and cave designs to the modern world of digitalization, he exemplified how truly powerful the nature of stories is,” shared Wright. 

“In alignment with blueprint of self-advocacy like the Fishers of Men, I hope to cast with intention and pull meaning from the depths." 

Keith Champagne, PhD, Vice President for Student Development, invited Clark to campus this past spring. Following the event, he thanked Clark and the actors for sharing their stories with our students and presented them with Rambler Brotherhood Project sweaters. 

“I was thrilled to meet Mr. Clark earlier this spring in our shared hometown of New Orleans and knew I had to bring him to campus to share his story with our young students,” shared Dr. Champagne. “His drive, work ethic, and passion for storytelling serve as an important reminder that we all have stories that are worth telling, and we all have an obligation to ourselves and others to nurture our dreams and talents in pursuit of excellence and a life well lived.” 

Learn more about the Rambler Brotherhood Project.