A&R Pioneer • Playwright • Cultural Curator
One Night Only: “Standing on Business” Premieres December 13th, Orlando, FL
THE MAN BEFORE THE MOMENT
In the world of independent theater, where passion fuels the work and storytelling transforms communities, very few voices rise with the intentionality, consistency, and emotional clarity of Donald Variste. A Haitian-American playwright, director, and producer with more than a decade of artistic experience, Variste has built a body of work defined by truth, vulnerability, and the kind of storytelling that not only entertains, but heals.
Now, with his newest production, Standing On Business, Variste delivers another powerful chapter in his creative legacy. And this time, he’s bringing together two undeniable forces from television culture: Pooch Hall and Drew Sidora, reuniting the pair in a one-night-only stage play on December 13, 2025 in Orlando, Florida.
This is not the work of a first-time playwright.
This is the work of a man who has been building his artistic mission for more than twelve years.
A PLAYWRIGHT WITH A PURPOSE
Donald Variste entered the world of theater in 2013, debuting his first stage play, a production that would ignite a passion for writing stories rooted in family, truth, struggle, and redemption. Since then, he has written and produced multiple plays, including:
- The Reason for the Season
- Church Hurts
- I Hate My In-Laws
- Russian Roulette: It Wasn’t Me
- and now, Standing On Business
His early work quickly positioned him as a playwright with something to say, not just about entertainment, but about humanity.
His stories aren’t crafted for shock value or superficial drama. They are woven with intention, emotional depth, and a guiding belief that theater can be used as a mirror, reflecting not only what we’ve experienced but what we’re still capable of becoming.
Variste builds narratives that reach audiences who don’t often see themselves represented on traditional stages. His plays explore domestic violence, family dysfunction, trauma, forgiveness, faith, and healing, all while using humor and cultural nuance to keep the audience grounded in real life.
In an era where entertainment often prioritizes spectacle, Variste centers soul.
STANDING ON BUSINESS: THE NEXT EVOLUTION
His newest production, Standing On Business, examines what happens when unresolved wounds collide with everyday life — and what it truly takes to break generational cycles. The story is raw. It’s honest. It’s emotional. And it’s exactly the kind of work Variste is known for: art that compels you to look inward.
In his words, this play is about “choosing healing even when hurt feels easier” — a message rooted in the experiences of so many families who struggle to navigate silence, secrets, and the emotional weight of survival.
And to bring this vision to life, he has assembled a cast that elevates the storytelling to another level.
POOCH HALL & DREW SIDORA: A CULTURAL REUNION
To fans of Black television, Pooch Hall and Drew Sidora carry their own legacies.
Pooch Hall
From his iconic role as Derwin Davis on The Game, to his critically acclaimed performance on Ray Donovan, Hall is a dynamic actor with range, depth, and a devoted fan base. His stage presence, emotional intelligence, and comedic timing bring a unique energy to Variste’s script.
Actor • Producer • Fan Favorite
Best known for his standout roles as Derwin Davis on The Game and Daryll Donovan on Showtime’s Ray Donovan, Pooch Hall is a rare kind of leading man — equal parts charm, emotional depth, and effortless comedic timing.
With a career spanning film, television, and stage, Hall has built a reputation as a versatile performer who brings humanity and heart to every character. His ability to shift from humor to intensity in a single breath makes him a natural fit for the layered male roles in Standing on Business.
Why He’s Perfect for the Play:
Hall’s emotional transparency, grounded masculinity, and natural charisma elevate Donald Variste’s script. He brings a rawness and vulnerability that make audiences feel everything.
Signature Roles:
• The Game
• Ray Donovan
• Jumping the Broom
• Accidental Love
Energy He Brings:
Depth. Timing. Heat. Presence.
Drew Sidora
Known from The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Step Up, and her unforgettable portrayal of herself in That’s So Raven, Sidora brings undeniable charisma, warmth, and fire to the stage. She enters every project with vulnerability and truth — qualities that make her a perfect match for Variste’s storytelling style.
Actress • Singer • Reality Star
A multi-hyphenate entertainer since childhood, Drew Sidora has captivated audiences in film, TV, music, and most recently as one of the breakout personalities on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. From Step Up to The Game to her iconic “That’s So Raven” cameo, Sidora has remained a dynamic force in entertainment.
Her acting style is full of texture — she can deliver softness, fire, vulnerability, and comic relief all in a single scene. That emotional range makes her an electric match for the intense, relationship-driven storyline of Standing on Business.
Why She’s Perfect for the Play:
Sidora brings feminine strength, emotional intelligence, and undeniable stage presence. Her ability to embody layered, conflicted women makes her character unforgettable.
Signature Roles:
• The Game
• Step Up
• White Chicks
• RHOA
Energy She Brings:
Passion. Honesty. Heart. Fierce feminine power..
Pooch Hall and Drew Sidora bring decades of combined experience, star appeal, and emotional intensity to Donald Variste’s Standing on Business. Their chemistry is magnetic. Their performances are transformative. And their collaboration elevates the play into a true cultural moment.
Two stars.
One stage.
A performance Orlando won’t forget.
Together, they create a rare kind of magic — a reunion that taps into nostalgia, star power, and the emotional gravity of the story.
Their involvement signals something bigger: that Variste’s work is not just respected, but sought after.
Even before opening night, Standing on Business has generated buzz. Not just because of the cast, not just because of the one-night-only exclusivity, but because people can feel that this play means something.
It isn’t just entertainment.
It’s a message.
A wake-up call about accountability.
A meditation on ambition.
A spotlight on human frailty.
A conversation about emotional maturity — especially among men.
In a world where vulnerability is discouraged, where feelings are suppressed, where ego masks pain, Variste gives audiences permission to confront the truth.
His truth.
Our truth.
The truth we avoid when it hurts too much.
THE CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
Theater has always been a vessel for cultural storytelling, but rarely do we see Black male playwrights tell stories rooted in emotional intelligence, accountability, and relational depth.
Variste changes that narrative.
He writes men with layers.
He writes women with agency.
He writes conflict with consequences.
He writes humanity with compassion.
His voice matters — not because it is loud, but because it is honest.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR DONALD VARISTE
Where does he go from here?
Everywhere.
More plays.
Film adaptations.
Digital series.
Soundtrack collaborations.
Creative partnerships.
Cultural commentary.
And a legacy that extends beyond A&R and into storytelling that will touch generations.
He is building something intentional — brick by brick, page by page, moment by moment.
And we are witnessing the rise in real time.
Donald Variste is the kind of creator who comes around once in a generation — someone who blends artistry with honesty, heart with discipline, vision with humility.
He is not chasing fame.
He is building legacy.
He is not seeking attention.
He is seeking alignment.
He is not performing.
He is revealing.
Standing on Business is more than a play.
It is a declaration.
A statement.
A calling.
And VIVID is honored to celebrate him as our FEATURE OF THE MONTH, spotlighting a creator who is not only standing on business he is standing on destiny.