Flower Crown Magazine: Issue 2

So if it is happening on Broadway, then other theatre
companies will follow. That however, I feel that will take a
few more years. In the meantime, I will keep showing up
and doing what I do best and maybe the creative team
will look past my color and truly see the talent.
you lose faith. It is during these times that I remind myself
of the successes I have had, pray and try my best to work
things out to the best of my ability.
What is your most sought after goal in respects to
working in the entertainment industry?
I would love to be a constant working artist. The goal is
to live comfortably through the craft. I’m not saying this
field will bring me millions. I’m saying that, I would like
to live a good life doing the work I love. That’s the main
goal. If I get my 15 - 150min of fame in the midst of that,
well that’s just frosting and the strawberry on my life’s
cupcake.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years as an actress?
In what ways has it been a positive experience?
My experience as a performer has been positive b/c I
can meet so many different talented people. I get to
laugh and jump around all day and be paid..lol. I have
the opportunity to create something magical ( I know
that sounds cliche) but it is a magical experience. You
can travel to a foreign land, or back in time or out of this
world. What’s more amazing is that you can take a truck
load of people with you to share in the experience. This
business can be very rough, uncertain at times, discouraging
and exhausting. However, I wouldn’t leave it. The
rewards are too great. I truly love what I do; and b/c I
do I teach the craft as well. During my down times from
shows, I teach musical theatre, acting, and voice to young
children to senior citizens. I enjoy teaching very much.
It gives me the opportunity to take the craft beyond
the stage. My long term goal, after I cross my many red
carpets, is to teach on the collegiate level. I would love to
help guide and cultivate a new generation of performers.
Talk specifically about the challenges you have
faced. Financial challenges are the worst.
You have to audition and take enrichment classes, those
are a must. However, you need to survive - pay bills,
eat! The struggle is finding a survival job that will aid
you along until you are blessed with the consistence of
work. Many times you have to piece jobs together. God
bless the people that find the perfect situation. Also, you
have to stay encouraged. As time goes by and you are
not seeing the progress you hope for, you can lose faith.
When the bills are piling up and there is no money in site,
I plan to be a successful stage actress, with a home in
Louisiana and Jamaica, W.I, commuting often to New
York to perform on stage. I know that’s a big dream. My
dear departed pastor, Rev. A.W.C. Kerr always taught me
to aim high. He would say, “aim for the sun, so if you miss
the sun at least you will land on the moon.” And I would
add, “either way you’ll be out of this world”.
What is your advice to young actors of color dreaming
to make it big or have steady work? Aim high
and hold your dreams close. Do not give the power to
anyone to destroy it. Anything in life is possible. Take
calculated risks and don’t let anything stop you.
What area of entertainment do you think is more
open minded when casting black females in production?
Why?
I’m not sure how to answer this question, b/c the problem
exist in all areas of entertainment. However, if I was
to choose, maybe television. There are so many new
concepts. With internet tv on the rise thanks to Youtube
and Netflix, I feel the possibilities are endless.