Confessions of a Single Parent (Actress)

I know that we are friends and I would love to sing or recite a poem at your event. But why does it always make me feel guilty for expecting to be paid for my talents? Why!!!! Why do I even hate to ask for money? When I write a grant proposal, I do not hand it over until I have been compensated. Yet, I continue to let your cheap expectations cheapen me. No more! If my friend was a licensed plumber and I needed some work done at my house, I may expect a discount or to pay for materials, but I never expect it to be done for free. So stop making feel guilty when you ask if I can contribute my talents and stop not offering me the same consideration as you would the plumber. I mean, I know your toilet ain't stopped up. But, your event can be amazing with me in it and it can be even more amazing if I feel respected. Every artist knows what I am talking about. A friend that you barely speak to or one that you have known for years is getting married or they are planning an event. And o...

"Our people do not need any training, when it comes to acting and entertainment. Don't you agree?" This is what an older Black woman shared with me as I was sitting in a classroom with young children. After she told me that I should also contact Tyler Perry to see if I could work for him. As I sat there in stunned silence, I could only think of the numerous artists that came before me who may not have trained in traditional settings but definitely did receive training and always practiced in order to be the best of the best. One of the best lines from the documentary, 20 Feet from Stardom is "Artists today have not done enough woodworking," which basically refers to the lack of practice and time spent polishing one's talent. This was told by older Black singers in the film. So where did the woman speaking to me get such a ludicrous idea? There are so many fingers to point. And I am glad that she looks at movies and believe that it is effortless and that an...

Assumptions are rampant in life and they are even more visceral and intrusive in the acting/performing business. Yes! Assumptions are a bitch!The public, casting directors, producers, and many others make assumptions about us based on size, hair type, complexion, body type, gender, and ethnicity. All of this judgement occurs before you even speak. The minute you enter the audition space or your head shot is being viewed  all of these assumptions are already present ready to attack your spirit if you let it. Look at what just happened in social media around the Oscars. Negative comments about Gabourey Sidibe regarding her size and appearance swirled on FB and Twitter. It saddened me to the core that the amazing accomplishments of this extraordinary actress were not the focus of the conversation or were barely mentioned. Very similar to the tail spin around Gabby Douglas's hair. So here is a word of advice. It is not okay to get defensive when it occurs because it provides them exa...

I just witnessed a wonderful process during a run through of show still in the wee stages of the rehearsal process. The beauty of a story revealing the layers of family dynamics when one lives with autism. Stephen Sondheim said it best, “All the best performers bring to their role something more, something different than what the author put on paper. That’s what makes theatre live. That’s why it persists.”   Falling written by Deanna Just was an Off Broadway production that played to stellar reviews in 2012. It centers on how the autism of the main character Josh, the 18-year old son affects the lives of each of the family members, and how that spirals out of control when the grandmother visits. I had the opportunity to sneak a peek at the process of actors in the process of remounting this piece at a regional production. The process is what I want to speak about. Especially during a time when we are all addicted to non- reality, Reality television and the remakes of ...