Where Pain Meets Purpose: Dr. Donald Variste Is Standing on Business

Dr. Donald Variste is a Haitian American playwright, producer, and director who has built a powerful career transforming pain into purpose. Through DV Productions, he creates stories that challenge, heal, and boldly confront real-life issues often left unspoken in our communities. His latest stage play, Standing on Business, starring Drew Sidora and Pooch Hall, continues that legacy, bringing domestic violence, faith, redemption, and accountability to the forefront through gripping storytelling and unforgettable performances. As an artist who once felt unseen in traditional classrooms, Dr. Variste now uses his gift to give voice to the unheard and light to the broken. His work is more than entertainment, it’s ministry, movement, and mission.

Q. Standing on Business centers on domestic violence and silent suffering. What personal experiences or stories inspired you to address such a sensitive and often hidden issue through this production?

Standing on Business was inspired by a tragedy that changed my life forever. I lost a close friend who was simply trying to be there for a woman in need. Her ex husband, who had a restraining order, somehow found out where she was staying. He showed up and ended my friend's life with a single bullet to the head. That moment shook me deeply and opened my eyes to how dangerous domestic violence can be for both victims and those who try to help. His death pushed me to speak for those who suffer quietly and to bring awareness to the realities many ignore. This production is my way of honoring his life and giving a voice to those who feel trapped and unheard.

Q. Your work consistently blends faith, purpose, and real life reflection. How does your own spiritual journey shape the way you write, produce, and direct your stage plays?

My spiritual walk guides everything I do. Every storyline and emotional moment is filtered through prayer and purpose. I do not create just to entertain, I create to reach people where they are. God carried me through seasons of brokenness, so I draw from those experiences when I write. My work reflects my faith and the healing that flows from it.

Q. You mentioned that you were once misunderstood in traditional classrooms. How did those early challenges influence your path as a Haitian American creative and the storytelling style you have developed today?

During my early years in elementary school I faced discrimination for being Haitian. My fifth grade teacher told me I would never be anything in life and that I would either be dead by eighteen or in jail. Those words could have broken me, but instead they pushed me to rise above every negative expectation placed on me. Being misunderstood shaped my storytelling. It taught me to fight for my voice and to speak for those who have been silenced. As a Haitian American creative I bring resilience, truth, and heart into my work because I know what it feels like to be overlooked. My storytelling is rooted in turning pain into purpose and proving that no label placed on you can define your destiny.

Q. Many of your productions, from Church Hurts to Russian Roulette, tackle heavy real world themes. What responsibility do you feel as a playwright to bring these conversations of pain, forgiveness, and healing to the stage?

I believe storytelling is a ministry. People come to the theater carrying real struggles, and if God gave me the gift to write, then I have a responsibility to address issues that matter. My plays are created to expose wounds, confront truth, and guide people toward healing. If someone walks away feeling seen or encouraged, then I have fulfilled my assignment.

Q. This play brings together celebrated talents like Drew Sidora and Pooch Hall. How did their involvement elevate the message and emotional depth of Standing on Business?

Drew Sidora and Pooch Hall bring authenticity and emotional depth that elevate the entire production. They understand the weight of the message and approached their roles with sincerity. Their performances help the audience connect deeply with the characters and feel the reality of what many people face in silence.

"I want people to leave with hope. I want those battling domestic violence to know they are not alone and that healing is possible."

Q. Your work often reminds audiences that purpose lives even in brokenness. What do you hope individuals, especially those silently battling domestic violence, walk away with after experiencing this production?

I want people to leave with hope. I want those battling domestic violence to know they are not alone and that healing is possible. I pray this production gives them courage to speak up and seek safety. I also hope it opens the eyes of others to support survivors with compassion and understanding.

Q. When you are not working on your passion, what do you like to do in your spare time?

When I am not creating I enjoy spending time with family, relaxing, traveling, and finding inspiration in everyday life. Those quiet moments help me recharge and stay connected to my purpose.

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