The Multitasker: J.D. Lawrence, 'The Clean Up Woman'

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"THE CLEAN UP WOMAN" tells the story of Terri, a newlywed and journalist struggling to balance home and work. In order to focus on her career and please her husband, Terri hires a cleaning woman. And how exactly the cleaning woman goes about pleasing Terri's husband helps form the play's central tension.

Written, directed and produced by playwright J.D. Lawrence — who also stars (as a few different folks) — "The Clean Up Woman" debuted on stage in 2008 to raves. The hit dramedy is at Warner Theatre this weekend, and Express talked to Lawrence about his career and what it's like to wear so many hats at once.

» EXPRESS: Were you always so enterprising?
» LAWRENCE: It started as early as 8 years old. One of the first shows that I wrote — or attempted to write, I should say — was called "Dream Street." I put the sheet up in the middle of the living room and had grandmother and mom and other family members over. I sold lemonade for 5 cents. From an early age I think I knew what I wanted.

» EXPRESS: I bet you were in all the school plays.
» LAWRENCE: I never did as much in school, even through college. I've always had a speech impediment and was kind of afraid. I went out for theater pieces but people would kind of shun me away; people didn't believe I could get on stage and sing and act. When I got older, I started creating and doing stuff of my own.

» EXPRESS: Did you have speech therapy?
» LAWRENCE: I never did. I still have [the speech impediment]; I just use it. Something magical happens when I get on stage. I'm a strong believer in God. I think that an anointing takes over and allows me to flow on stage.

» EXPRESS: What brought you back to theater after school?
» LAWRENCE: I never stopped writing — the thing is performing it. So, I got together a small group of people. From there, just being able to write my own stuff and put it up myself. I would shop it around and market it. But before all that, I started singing background for people. That's where stuff really started to happen.

» EXPRESS: Doors started to open?
» LAWRENCE: I'm a firm believer in building your own house and opening your own door. If you wait around for doors to open, the wrong doors might open. Or, you might just see a lot of closed doors. I'd rather build my own door so I can decide when it opens and closes.

» EXPRESS: Now that many doors have opened, how do you manage it all?
» LAWRENCE: Like I play the different characters on stage: off stage I have to have that same discipline, to know when to take off certain hats. When I'm in business mode, I don't mix it with creative mode. Like when I'm in creative mode, I don't mix it with business. Sometimes you can be making a business decision and the artist side of you will kick in and you can make the wrong move. I think it comes with trial and error. Plus, I have four assistants and I drive them nuts.

» EXPRESS: So where did the idea for "The Clean Up Woman" sprout from?
» LAWRENCE: It's inspired by a relationship a friend of mine was in. I told him, 'This would make a great theater piece.' He said, 'Aw, ain't nobody going to laugh about this situation.' I said, 'Dude, this is hilarious.' So I put it up as theater piece and it worked.

» EXPRESS: What made it work?
» LAWRENCE: I came out with the first show that was just entertainment all the way through. It was the first time that any theatrical show has had a live DJ. I think what made this so special was I really unleashed my capabilities of doing characters. I think that's what blew people away, getting on stage and doing seven different people.

» EXPRESS: Are there any characters you won't touch?
» LAWRENCE: I don't do lady characters, only because a man is all I've known how to be my whole life. And that's the image I want to project to my young men out there: Young black brothers need as many positive male role models as possible. That's why I don't do guns. We as a people have experienced enough violence in our lives. Why pay to see some more?

» EXPRESS: What's it like to direct yourself?
» LAWRENCE: When I'm on stage and I do something wrong I go, "Oh, why did I do that? I know what that looks like." It's like I can see myself and I can feel when it's wrong. Also, I practice for hours in the mirror. I'm up at four in the morning rehearsing, constantly doing the same moves over and perfecting the characters — the way they walk, the way they talk — so that when I'm on stage, I see that mirror.

» EXPRESS: Do you see the play headed toward the big screen?
» LAWRENCE: I have so many offers for it, but I want it done the right way. A lot of people that I have come in contact with, of course, want to make a competition thing [with dress-wearing, gun-totting Tyler Perry] but I'm just looking to make a good film. But, yeah, we'll definitely be doing a film in 2010.

» EXPRESS: What else do you have coming soon?
» LAWRENCE: A new play coming out also in 2010, which will be the sequel to "Clean Up Woman." It's "The Clean Up Woman: Part 2." Then, I have two sitcoms that will be out on the Gospel Music Channel [next year]. And, Jazzy Jordan from Barry Records just offered me a record deal. I've got some good, inspirational tunes about love and life, sort of like my shows.

» Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. NW; through Sun., $34.50-$52.50; 877-598-8696.

Photos courtesy J.D. Lawrence/Warner Theatre