Don B. Welch
Production & Performance
A Philadelphia native who as a playwright has written, directed and produced 30 stage productions over the course of his prolific career. This robust list includes: “Take It to The Lord… Or Else”, “A Change Is Gonna Come”, “Idella’s Soul Shack”, “Illusions”, “Heaven Bound”, “The First Lady Of Zion”, “Hallelujah Mahalia”, “Caterpillar On A Hot Rock (The Dorothy Dandridge Story)”, “Yes, God Is Real”, “Living Ain’t Easy, Dyin’ Ain’t Beautiful”, “The Soul Café”, “The Bachelorette Party”, “The Bachelor Party”, “The Living Quarters”, “Sweet Lucy’s Love Lounge”, “The Misfits”, “The Divorce”, “Love Buddies”, “Lord, Don’t Move My Mountain”, “My Brother’s Keeper”, “Give Me That Old Time Religion”, “Let The Church Roll On”, “Life Stories”, “Walking By Faith”, “The James Cleveland Story”, Something’s Bound To happen When you Pray”, “Fight Club”, “Meet me In The Prayer Room”, “Silence”, and “Pleasantville”.
This seemingly endless list has produced sold-out performances for audiences across the nation, 45 cities to be exact, for over 20 years. Some of the most notable cities include New York City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Miami, Dallas, Houston, and Columbus to name a few. There hasn’t been a city that Don’s work has been showcased in that hasn’t had audiences grappling for more. His secret…? Hard work! Aside from that of course, Don possesses an uncanny knack for giving a clear voice to African American culture, in particular African American women. The irony with his writing is that he delivers his stories in such a way that they still apply to all genders and cultures without compromising his core message’s integrity. Don’s work fills an unprecedented void across all communities with his ability to give countless audiences insight into the daily struggles and triumphs of their everyday life. It’s with these God-given talents that he has humbly grown his national audience to an estimated 1.2 million viewers and still going.
Not only did he have supporters in the audience, over the years accomplished artists and singers alike have clamored for the opportunity to work for Don B. Welch. Actors such as: Loretta Devine, Lynn Whitfield, Vanessa Williams, Tony Rock, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Marla Gibbs, Essence Atkins, Tatyana Ali, Dawnn Lewis, Jackee Harry, Dorian Wilson, Flex Alexander, Carl Payne, Eva Marcille, Ernest L. Thomas, Malinda Williams, Vanessa Williams, Tony Rock, Keith Robinson, Darius McCrary, Christian Keyes, Lamman Rucker, Kiki Shepard, Judy Pace, Jonelle Allen, Ernest Harden Jr., Angell Conwell, Michael Colyar, Terrell Tilford, Ananda Lewis, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Amin Joseph, as well as singers Ledisi, Kenny Latimore, Kelly Price, Ginuwine, Freda Payne, Mary Wilson, Shanice, and Angie Fisher.
Live stage wasn’t his only passion; forever on the move, Don was sought out by and signed by Random House Publishers in New York, resulting in the completion of two very successful novels, The Bachelorette Party and In My Sister’s House, both selling tens of thousands of copies.
The natural next stop was film, and of course he hit the ground running. In 2011, he directed the direct-to-DVD feature The Bachelor Party, which was released by IMAGE Entertainment. He followed that success up with two more direct-to-DVD productions including the 2013 release of 24-Hour Love, (currently on Hulu) and the 2014 release of The Divorce. In 2017, he teamed up with TV-One for the feature, The Lost Souls Cafe, a national hit, which trended #2 in the country, starring Loretta Devine, Christian Keyes, Ernest L. Thomas and Kiki Haynes. “Love On A Two way Street”, a tv movie, written & directed by Donald Welch, premièred on the Allkblk streaming network in 2021.
2022/23 – Don B. Welch Productions released the short film, BabyGirl, written & directed by Donald Welch, which currently is winning awards domestically and internationally. Babygirl took several awards at The Cannes World Film Festival in Cannes, France 2022. Currently it is on the 2023 film lineup on the Allblk.tv streaming service under the AMC network banner.
2024-Presently Don is one of the directors of the hit drama series “Hush” on AMC’s streaming service, Allblk.tv
Not only has his robust fan-base showered him with praise, but eventually his talent became undeniable to the powers-that-be. Over the course of his prolific career, Don has racked up a laundry list of accolades. Some of the most notable being: (3) NAACP Theatre award nominations, (1) NAACP Theatre award winner, 2006 Congressional Certificate of Special Recognition – Maxine Waters, 2006 City of Carson “Spirit Award” for outstanding writing/directing, 2010 Philadelphia Mayoral Recognition for outstanding work as a national writer/director – Mayor Michael Nutter, 2012 Congressional Certificate of Special Recognition – Maxine Waters, 2014 Multi-Cultural Motion Picture Association “Spirit Award” winner, 2014 City of Los Angeles 13 th Council District “Spirit Award” Certificate of Commendation winner, and 2015 “Humanitarian Award” – Stevie Wonder/KJLH Radio station.
The common theme here is simple, there’s no stopping the Don B. Welch train who readily gives all the glory of his success to God.
Stage Plays
Television
The Lost Souls Cafe
From Broadwayworld.com
TV One presents the film adaptation of Director/Producer Donald B. Welch’s popular inspirational stage play, THE LOST SOULS CAFE, on Easter Sunday, April 16 at 6 p.m. ET. Actors Loretta Devine (The Carmichael Show), Christian Keyes (Saints & Sinners), Kiki Haynes (For Better or Worse) and Ernest L. Thomas (What’s Happening!!) star in the musical drama.
In the film, former ’70s songstress Geneva Branch (Devine) is the proprietor of a restaurant lounge specializing in live soul music for the upscale, affluent crowd. When Branch learns that her nephew Taylor’s (Keyes) gambling problem has put the restaurant in jeopardy, she is nearly undone. Determined to make things right, Taylor tries to find a way to save the business.
“This particular character of Geneva is attractive and desirable and doesn’t have to be a size 2 to be considered sexy,” said Welch. “Loretta knows that when I write something with her in mind it is going to be fun and challenging and something that she’s never played before. I see Loretta as a chameleon and there is not a role that she can’t play.”
Welch said he was inspired to write about entrepreneurship after watching so many entertainment industry colleagues succeed financially for a period of time, but later end up broke as a result of poor investment planning. He was also concerned about the lack of support for soul music in today’s society. The Lost Souls Café is about a savvy woman who decides to capitalize on the fame of her music days by owning a restaurant where she also showcases music that should be kept alive for future enjoyment. The production has toured the country, generating acclaim from critics and fans alike. In Los Angeles the legendary Stevie Wonder was so moved that he took to the stage for an impromptu musical performance, to the surprise of the audience and cast.
The ensemble cast includes Todd Anthony (Stock Option), Crystal P. Bazemore (Diary Of A Mad Black Woman) and Malika Blessing (The Perfect Man). Additionally, the film features a special appearance by soul crooner MAJOR to perform his hit single, “This Is Why I Love You.”
For more information on TV One’s The Lost Souls Café, visit the network’s Youtube Channel and website at www.tvone.tv. Viewers can also join the conversation by connecting via social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@tvonetv) using the hash tag #LOSTSOULSCAFE.
The Lost Souls Café is produced for TV One in partnership with Chuck West for Octet Group. It is directed by Donald Welch. For TV One, Robyn Greene Arrington is vice president of original programming and production, and D’Angela Proctor is head of original programming and production.
