Draft:Aurora Threats
Aurora Threats
[edit]Aurora LaShay Threats
- Date and Place of Birth:* January 8 — Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, Louisiana
- Nationality:* American
- Industry:* Film, Entertainment, Theatre, Writing, Production
- Alma Mater:* Grambling State University (B.S.), Amberton University (M.S.)
- Occupation:* Creator, Writer, Actress, Producer
- Years Active:* 1989 – Present
- Children:* 1
- Notable Works:* Supercilious (2023; 54th NAACP Image Awards nominee)
Biography
[edit]Aurora L. Threats (pronounced Three‑eats) is an American actress, writer, filmmaker, and producer. In 2023, she became the first female filmmaker in the United States to collaborate with Ghana on an animated short film, Supercilious (2022).[1][2][3][4]
The film was nominated for Outstanding Short Form (Animated) at the 54th NAACP Image Awards, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter and Variety.[3][4] Her work has also been featured in outlets such as Sheen Magazine, Today’s Purpose Woman, and ShoutOut Houston.[1][5][2]
Early Life and Education
[edit]Threats was born in Lake Providence, Louisiana, in East Carroll Parish and raised by a single mother who was both a small business owner and educator. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech and Theatre Education from Grambling State University, a historically Black university in Louisiana, and later obtained a Master’s degree in Human Relations and Business from Amberton University.[6][7]
After completing her studies, she lived and worked in Dallas, Texas, before relocating to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting and filmmaking. She later returned to Dallas, where she currently resides.
Threats comes from a family with a history of civic involvement. In 1974, her eldest brother, Percy Threats, became the youngest Black alderman elected in Lake Providence at the age of 23, part of the town’s first all-Black municipal government, as reported by Jet Magazine.[8]
Career
[edit]Filmmaking
[edit]Threats created, wrote, and executive produced Supercilious (2022), an animated short film developed during the COVID‑19 pandemic. Adapted from her poem in the 2020 collection A Gumbo of Poems & Quotes, the film explores themes of faith, resilience, and personal transformation. Supercilious is noted as the first U.S.–Ghanaian animated short film led by a female filmmaker.[9][10][1] It received international recognition and was screened at multiple festivals, winning awards at:
- Paris ARG International Film Festival
- International Black & Diversity Film Festival (2022)
- Semi-finalist, AfroAnimation Awards
- Official selections: The African Film Festival and BRIFF Bistrița (2023)
In 2023, the film received an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Short Form (Animated).[3][4][11] Media coverage includes The Hollywood Reporter, Sheen Magazine, and ShoutOut Houston.[1][2]
Stage Work
[edit]Threats began her professional acting career in 1989, playing Rachel Holmes in the original touring company of Beauty Shop, which toured over 50 U.S. cities. Notable venues included the Wilshire Ebell Theatre (Los Angeles), Constitution Hall (Washington, D.C.), and Beacon Theatre (New York City). The production is archived by the Smithsonian Institution.[12][13] She also portrayed Bridgette Hamilton in Barber Shop, as documented by the Portal to Texas History.
Acting Methodology
[edit]Threats’ acting approach emphasizes emotional authenticity and character development. She trained at Marla Gibbs Crossroads Art Academy in Los Angeles.[1][2]
Civic and Political Involvement
[edit]The Texas House of Representatives formally recognized Threats’ community service with House Resolution 2952, honoring her political, cultural, and civic contributions.
At age 16, she founded a performance group she choreographed, costumed, and directed to support charitable causes in northern Louisiana.
In Texas, she served as a Democratic precinct captain, precinct chair, and election judge, and was a state delegate from Senate District 10 during Barack Obama’s 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns. Her ongoing civic engagement earned her formal commendation by the Texas Legislature.[14][15][16]
Memberships and Affiliations
[edit]- Women In Film (Los Angeles)
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
- Lifetime member, Grambling State University National Alumni Association[6]
Filmography
[edit]- Supercilious (2022) – Creator, writer, executive producer
- Tuesday Never Comes (1992) – Maid opposite Karen Black and Erik Estrada
- Sweethearts (ABC)
Publications and Media
[edit]- Behind the Line (2005) – A 33-poem anthology described by The Gramblinite as “an exhilarating anthology of poems that guide you through a journey of the heart.”[6]
- A Gumbo of Poems & Quotes (2020) – Includes the poem “Supercilious,” later adapted into the animated film. The poem received a five‑star review from Pump It Up Magazine.[7]
Featured Media Coverage:
- Sheen Magazine (Sept. 21, 2022)[1]
- ShoutOut HTX (Jan. 4, 2023)[2]
- Success Magazine – 2024 Woman of Influence[17]
- Today’s Purpose Woman – 2025 “Woman to Watch”[5]
- Voyage Dallas[18]
- The Indie Post – Cover story (2024)[19]
- Bold Journey Magazine – Profile (Oct. 2023)[9]
- Apex Live – “Aurora LaShay Threats: A Global Force” (April 5, 2025)[10]
Honors and Recognitions
[edit]| Year | Honor / Recognition |
|---|---|
| 2013 | First recipient of the Key to the Town of Lake Providence, Louisiana |
| 2013 | First Grand Marshal of the Lake Providence parades |
| 2023 | NAACP Image Awards Nomination (Outstanding Short Form – Animated) for Supercilious |
| 2023 | Commended by Texas Legislature (House Resolution 2952) |
| 2023–24 | Success Magazine Woman of Influence |
| 2024 | Cover Feature, The Indie Post |
| 2025 | Named a Today’s Purpose Woman to Watch |
Legacy
[edit]Aurora Threats has contributed to cross-cultural storytelling through her work in animation, film, and stage. Her animated short Supercilious (2022), developed during the COVID‑19 pandemic and nominated for an NAACP Image Award,[3][4] marked a significant milestone in U.S.–Ghana collaboration.[1][9][10] The film received international recognition with awards and nominations across Canada, France, Europe, and the United States, reflecting her focus on narratives that explore faith, identity, and transformation.[9]
Threats' career includes efforts in mentorship, civic service, and arts advocacy.[14][16] Her work across media and public service continues to influence emerging creatives. Aurora LaShay is her registered trademark.[20]
Music
[edit]Threats adapted her poem “Eternal Grace” from the A Gumbo of Poems & Quotes collection into a song. The song is available on YouTube.[21]
See Also
[edit]- List of people from Louisiana
- List of people from Texas
- Historically Black Colleges and Universities
- List of Grambling State University alumni
External Links
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g Sheen Magazine – “Texas Based Filmmaker Aurora Threats Is Celebrated For Her Multi Award-Winning Short Film Supercilious” (Sept. 21, 2022)
- ^ a b c d e ShoutOut HTX – “Meet Aurora Threats: The First Female To Collaborate” (Jan. 4, 2023)
- ^ a b c d Hollywood Reporter – “NAACP Image Awards Winners & Nominations”
- ^ a b c d Variety Magazine – “54th NAACP Image Awards: Supercilious”
- ^ a b Today’s Purpose Woman – “Aurora Threats: A Today’s Purpose Woman to Watch in 2025” (Dec. 16, 2024)
- ^ a b c The Gramblinite – “Grambling Grad Publishes Book” (July 16, 2006)
- ^ a b Pump It Up Magazine – “Celebrate the Power of Words, Kindness, and Individual Worth with ‘Gumbo of Poems and Quotes’ by Aurora L. Threats”
- ^ Jet Magazine (July 11, 1974), p. 10 [Hard to find digital version online; consider archive request or scan if needed]
- ^ a b c d Bold Journey – “Meet Aurora LaShay Threats” (Oct. 9, 2023)
- ^ a b c Apex Live – “Aurora LaShay Threats: A Global Force” (April 5, 2025)
- ^ Billboard – “Supercilious 54th NAACP IMAGE AWARD NOMINATION”
- ^ Smithsonian Institution – Beauty Shop Stage Play Materials
- ^ The Portal to Texas History – Barber Shop, Shelly Garrett
- ^ a b Texas House of Representatives – HR 2952: Resolution Honoring Aurora LaShay Threats (83rd Legislature)
- ^ Texas House Journal – HR 2952, Page 3787
- ^ a b Texas House of Representatives – 83rd Regular Session, HR 2952 Resolution Honoring Aurora LaShay Threats (Full Text)
- ^ Success Magazine – “2024 Women of Influence: Aurora LaShay Threats”
- ^ Voyage Dallas – “Hidden Gems: Meet Aurora Threats” (June 2023)
- ^ The Indie Post – “Cover Feature: Aurora LaShay Threats” (2024)
- ^ USPTO – Trademark Status: Aurora LaShay (Serial No. 97803677)
- ^ YouTube – “Eternal Grace” by Aurora LaShay