A journey from RI’s Trinity Academy for Performing Arts to The Six Triple Eight – Ann Clanton

By Ann Clanton, contributing writer

There are a few films that have spotlighted women’s contributions during World War II, the largest and most storied armed conflict in history. The mid-20th century had some notable movies placing women at the center of the chaos, however very few captured Black women in World War II – until now. 

Tyler Perry’s latest picture, “The Six Triple Eight” explores the story of the Women’s Army Corps but also graces the big screen and the online movie service, Netflix, with a forgotten page of voluminous nonfiction World War II tales.

The film features an ensemble cast, including Kerry Washington, Oprah Winfrey, and Susan Sarandon. Persons familiar with Rhode Island’s history with movies, and most of us with less than six degrees of separation, are not surprised when there is a local connection to a movie that is all abuzz with anticipation.  

Rhode Island native, Angie Cooper, is an extra in the Six Triple Eight. A graduate of Trinity Academy for Performing Arts 2016 class, Angie Cooper credits the school as “truly the best high school I could ask for in terms of the arts”. 

No stranger to Tyler Perry productions and several others, Cooper can be seen as an extra in Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”, “HYSTERIA”, “Wolf Pack” on Peacock, and “Pretty Stoned” on MTV. While the experience of playing a movie extra is invaluable as she goes toward her 2025 goal of getting her Screen Actors Guild card, there are challenges – “It’s a waiting game. My job is to show and be ready for whatever may come,” says the aspiring actress. “Staying hydrated, making sure I eat, being in the right mindset. Making sure you aren’t sick is a key factor.” 

For the “Six Triple Eight” there were weeks of fittings and for the “6888” project in particular we had early mornings of choreography. “Choreography was conducted with the amazing Debbie (FAME) Allen.  Interaction with the film’s principal actors is known to happen. 

“I briefly interacted with Kerry and Tyler. While working on “Black Panther” I would just start some small talk with anyone I could. I very briefly interacted with Angela Bassett and Winston Duke. Sometimes it would be something as simple as introducing myself.  Working on “6888” I briefly interacted with Kerry (Washington)  and Tyler (Perry). While working on “Black Panther” I would just start some small talk with anyone I could.

What’s next for the aspiring actress? She says she wants to play a character that is completely opposite from herself. She looks to God for guidance on how to reach that next level of acting. First up is to have a speaking role and get that Screen Actors Guild Card. In April, the Rhode Island native will be among a panel at the Rhode Island Black Film Festival, April 10-14. 

“Most times” productions are against BG talking to the main talent, but it’s just how I was raised. The conversations are no more than a “Hi” or “How are you? It’s small but it’s something”.

Photos: Angie Cooper

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Ann-Allison Clanton was born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island. As principal of Ann Clanton Communications, Ann has more than two decades of experience as a communications and public affairs consultant. She has written features and profiles articles for the Providence American Newspaper and Ethnic Online Magazine.

Among the notable persons interviewed include former U. S. Ambassador Andrew Young, Dr. Cornell West, former Florida Congressman Allen West (R-FL) and Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus first African American Ringmaster, Johnathan Lee Iverson.

Ann is the founder of the Rhode Island Black Film Festival and a founding member of the Southern New England Association of Black Journalists.