Preaching community and delivering it are not the same thing. All my life, I have seen micro and macro aggressions against minorities in artistic spaces. With this, inclusion and representation for marginalized groups drives me as an artist. As a Black, plus-size, Queer, privileged, director, and actor, my passion and education broadens me to my extent of acceptance. I strive for the betterment of compassion and understanding within the spaces I am in.
Representing groups like the Deaf community and Black community brings purpose to my work. When working with me, I want the arts to be a place where all is welcome, whatever capacity I am working in. Spaces like this have been given to me by the artists that have surrounded and supported me in the past. Looking at productions of inclusion, the Deaf West End’s production of Spring Awakening allowed me to understand that inclusion isn’t the problem. It is how inclusive one will be. To me, this brings the art to new dynamics. All of these experiences give me the strength and the courage to show the same affection to others. However, I have been in spaces where I have been judged for my ability and look, not being heard nor seen for what I can achieve. Their preconceived notions of me don’t affect me as an artist but reveals how cruel this industry is.
That is something I aim to change. Hindrance of oneself doesn’t define their worth to me. Every boy and girl should, and will, see a show of mine where they can look at someone and see themself on a stage. Every actor should feel welcomed in artistic spaces no matter their size, color, belief, or ability. Directing, I am looking for talent, not identity, and with this, I hope to include people from all different works, collaborating on art. For every soul I touch, I want them to feel loved, and to be loved, is to be seen.