EbzB Productions: Your World Is Our Stage! Blog and Newsletter
Professional touring theatre and teaching artists developing theatrical works to promote integrity, self-discovery and positive transformation of artists, audiences, individuals, and communities. Visit www.ebzb.org!
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Whoever told you filmmaking was easy as pie has never bitten off more than they could chew.
“Somebody said they encouraged us to the feature film. We're like, ok, sure, let's bite off this little elephant," joked David zum Brunnen, one of the creatives behind the film.
David and his wife, Serena Ebhart zum Brunnen, primarily act as touring artists of the theater for their own EbzB Productions. There, they took on the challenge of adapting their true-story play Native into a feature film.
“We started the whole conceptual work of the play itself in late 2012. So here we are in 2025, almost 12 years later," David added.
The story itself is based on the collaboration between playwright Paul Green and African American author Richard Wright, who wrote Native Son. Together, they worked to adapt it for the Broadway stage.
The second bite of the elephant? Filming and financing their first feature, The Problem of the Hero.
“Carolina Theater was the perfect setting for this," said Serena.
“Makes a great substitution for the Saint James Theater," joked David.
Once principal photography wrapped in 2020, it was on to the third bite on their plate -- the festival circuit.
“At the first film festival screening, my legs were practically shaking because we had no idea what the response would be. The reception was quite warm. I kept waiting for the walkouts to happen," said David.
With each bite, that filmmaking elephant kept getting closer to the end.
“We started to get inquiries from distributors and press reps," recalled Serena.
Until finally, seven years after the script was written, they reached the last bite.
“I kind of have to look at it as a ladder. You don't just jump up in the air and you're on the second floor. You have to take it one rung at a time," Serena said.
Making your first independent feature isn’t easy, but it’s fulfilling.
“Having those people guide us through this process and inform us is something that we'll always treasure," recounted David.
In January, Pittsboro Elementary School’s fourth-graders transformed into lively springboks, fierce opossums, armored armadillos, and gentle monarch butterflies under the excellent tutelage of actors Serena Ebhardt and David zum Brunnen of Ebzb Productions.
Serena and David used learning tools from the dramatic arts to develop child-generated choose-your-own-adventure scenes, integrating concepts from the students’ current science and language arts unit on animal defense mechanisms.
Photo Credit: Andrea Akin.
“We want you to understand the actor’s process so it might help you in your life when you have to get up and speak,” Serena instructed.
Photo Credit: Andrea Akin.
She expanded upon the actor’s five tools: breath, body, eyes, face, and voice each morning during warm-up time with the kids.
Photo Credit: Andrea Akin.
The students mimicked Serena’s breath, expressions, and movements to become more comfortable with transforming into something other than themselves.
“Honestly I loved it. It was so fun to do.” –Pittsboro Elementary fourth-grader
Photo Credit: Andrea Akin.
After selecting their preferred animal to embody, each child got to work developing the sounds and movements their animals might choose if danger were present.
Photo Credit: Andrea Akin.
Does their animal hide, run, or fight when predators come around? The students enhanced their acting choices with plenty of research throughout the week.
Photo Credit: Andrea Akin.
Two students from each class served as narrators, guiding the audience through the animal behavior presentation.
“This experience with David and Serena brought our EL curriculum to life for the entire class and increased their excitement for the Performance Task of writing their own Choose-Your-Own-Adventure essay.” –Pittsboro Elementary teacher
Photo Credit: Andrea Akin.
Some students even added costumes into their act for the in-class performance day.
Photo Credit: Andrea Akin.
“It was fun with [the artists] and I liked that we were acting.”–Pittsboro Elementary fourth-grader
Photo Credit: Andrea Akin.
Once their in-class performances were done, students reflected on their time as actors. David asked, “How have you been able to use or–how could you use–these tools in your everyday life?”
Photo Credit: Andrea Akin.
One student responded: “When Mrs. Serena told us to focus on the exit sign when we’re on stage, so when I was at the district spelling bee, I focused on the exit signs so I didn’t get nervous!”
Photo Credit: Andrea Akin.
Another student responded: “You can use your breath or your eyes to communicate with someone if you can’t use your voice.”
“What I liked the best was when we did the performance and learning new things.”–Pittsboro Elementary fourth-grader
Photo Credit: Andrea Akin.
When the week ended, students were sad to see the artists go. One class even wrote and illustrated thank you cards for Serena and David.
“Great students all ‘round – and truly impressive in every way – along with their teachers & staff! We learned a lot just being a part of it.”–Serena and David
The sponsor for this residency was Austin Vandeveer. The Law Offices of Austin Vandeveer proudly supports the Chatham Arts Council, recognizing the essential role the arts play in strengthening our community. We believe that the arts foster creativity, inspire collaboration, and enhance the cultural vibrancy of Chatham County. Our partnership with the Chatham Arts Council reflects our commitment to supporting local artists and enriching the cultural landscape of our region. By working together, we aim to ensure that art remains an integral part of the community, benefiting individuals of all ages and backgrounds. We are dedicated to helping sustain and grow the arts in Chatham County, which contributes to both personal enrichment and economic development. The Law Offices of Austin Vandeveer is honored to support the Chatham Arts Council’s mission to cultivate creativity and celebrate the arts.
This residency is part of the Chatham Arts Council’s Artists-in-Schools Initiative in Chatham County Schools.
Arts for Resilient Kids programming is made possible by partnerships with Chatham County Schools, Chatham County, the North Carolina Arts Council, and many individual, foundation, and business donors. If you feel inspired to help us educate kids through the arts, click here to donate.
