LOS ANGELES, CA — Acclaimed actress, Tonea Stewart of The American Theatre of BEing (ATOBE), seen in A Time to Kill with Mathew McConaughey, and Samuel L. Jackson, and In the Heat of the Night with Carroll O'Connor join forces with comedian and Emmy-winning talk show host Sheryl Underwood and her production company Pack Rat Productions. Underwood is fresh off a triumphant week as a guest co-host on ABC's The View.
Her Spiritual Nourishment Initiative uses the Arts and Live Performances to bring people together and put people to work, including but not limited to stagehands, wardrobe stylists, lighting technicians, and costume designers. Under Stewart and Underwood, the initiative will use the Tyler Perry model to bring staged live performances of original content and classic theatre to colleges all over America!
"While working on bringing my gospel plays to all colleges, I knew that I needed advice and counsel, so I reached out to my sorority sister and found out what she was working on, and we agreed that working together was the best way to go!" said Underwood.
~ SHERYL UNDERWOOD
For universities, it is a fundraising powerhouse, giving institutions a compelling reason to bring donors, benefactors, and shareholders to gather resources and assets that strengthen the community, economy, and higher education.
Thank you for this meaningful partnership. Together, we can inspire new paths, choosing creativity over conflict and cultivating impactful stories for the stage and screen."
~TONEA STEWART
Both women are members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and dedicated community advocates. When Underwood needed the right partner, she went to the source. Stewart brings decades of industry credibility and the infrastructure to match. Together, they are delivering theater to the next generation all over America.
The American Theatre of BEing (ATOBE) kicks off its new entertainment training initiative on April 12, 2026 at 3:00 PM at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Montgomery, AL. Free admission. This is where the pipeline begins.
Tour dates and university partnership details to be announced.
About Sheryl Underwood: Comedian. TV personality. Currently headlining the I Need a Job! comedy tour and a Netflix Is A Joke Fest performance set for May 2026.
About Tonea Stewart: Founder of The American Theatre of BEing (ATOBE). theatobe.com | info@theatobe.com
