The Yellowman Experience - Part 1

The show closed in New Hampshire on December 31. I flew to Philadelphia on January 1 after they de-iced the plane. (That was scary!) I washed my locs for the first time in weeks. (Don't judge me. It was never over 10 degrees in NH so why bother) I slept and woke up to catch a plane to Chicago on January 2. While in Chicago for the day, I posted several ads for a nanny in Rhode Island. I packed my daughter's things and headed back to the airport to catch a flight on January 3 to Providence. I interviewed and checked references on the same day. Rehearsal began January 4 and I brought Maya with me with a bag of toys and a portable DVD player (Life saver). I hired a nanny the same day and she started January 5.(She was amazing and still checks in on Maya from time time thanks to FB)

That made me exhausted reading that. What I forgot to mention is how I got the small theater to agree to housing and transportation for me and my daughter? I paid for my daughter's plane ticket, but everything else including pay was negotiated between me and the theater shortly after I received the email. At first, they only had available housing in homes with supporters of the theater or a room in a house. I had to balance not sounding like a diva but making sure that I came to an arrangement that was fair but accommodating for me and a soon to be 5 year old. That required me knowing my own value, and being professional enough to not ruffle any feathers. Who knew? I did not take a class in college called Contract Negotiation 101. No coach can tell you this. This is a skill you must learn as you progress as an artist. I never knew that the minimum pay scale was a starting point. If they really want you, and you really want to eat and pay rent, everything is negotiable. Everything! How do you know when to take the minimum and when you do not? Your financial state will tell you and your heart will push you when you feel scared and unsure. You will also pray and cry over it until a decision is made. How did I know that an equally talented Black actress would not take the minimum and my place?

I knew I needed enough to feed 2 people and pay the nanny. And have a few dollars to spare after.  I also knew that I wanted to play this role no matter what.

 I also knew that my daughter was going to give me a hard way to go during the transition. That is a story for another time.