“Be You. Be Genuine. Fear Nothing. No one in this world decides who or what you are besides you.”

“Keep going even when you don't think you can. Time isn't linear. You have to trust what you can't see. You have to believe in magic and miracles. Continue to work daily on self-love, self-worth, and self-confidence.”

“The keys to the gates are in different hands” and that’s going to change what it all looks like and how it all operates. And I think that’s a good thing as it’s been a long time coming.

The thing that I always think of the most, no matter what I’m doing whether I’m writing music, writing a play or acting is surprises. That’s the thing I think about a lot when I’m crafting something…Where is the moment that I’m going to give something to the audience they don’t expect? And they’ll draw in a collective breath. That’s what I really enjoy doing.

“I would like to see funding for the arts taken seriously in our country. Hopefully, the pandemic is bringing light to how the arts bring valuable and necessary culture and income to communities!”

“Promote your friends. Promote the people you admire. When someone you know and/or respect is doing a show, or promoting a piece of art of any sort, post about it on social media, tag them, and tell everyone just how highly you think of them and/or their work.”

I’m interested in working with young and emerging artists, if I can be of assistance in helping them to reach and claim that potential and soaring. I’ve had opportunities to work in training programs and I always am exhilarated by that.

The only ‘agenda’ I’ve ever brought to my work is wanting young folks of color to see someone that looks like them be central to the stories they see on stage, and with the kinds of shifts I think we will see in the industry, that might be more possible than ever. That’s exciting.

“Pay attention to and study all facets and perspectives of the world, science, politics, visual arts, literary work of all kinds. Acting and the performing arts are a reflection of the world, so keep your eyes wide open on all fronts.”

I certainly won’t take for granted the responsibility I have to the next generation to mentor or teach or be of service to them, to be the person that I wanted when I was that age. It’s hard because the younger people can do it themselves. It’s finding that balance.

“I believe we need to meet people where we are. I have no clue how to do so but I will support the cause wholeheartedly. As someone who was found by unconventional means, I’m all for it. The more the merrier. No actor left behind.”

I never want to take for granted the experience and privilege of having a platform on stage and telling a story. I never want to take a story for granted again.

“From a really young age, my siblings and friends would ask me to “do the funny voices” and “silly expressions” and I loved making them laugh.”

“I don’t consider actors blank slates, I don’t want them to be blank slates. I want the whole of their humanity brought to the table, what makes them giggle, what makes them enraged.”

I think the reality is that theatre as we knew it has changed. And we may never quite see it in that same way again. But I do have hope for what theatre will evolve into…Theatre isn’t dead. It’s under the ground and working it out and figuring it out what can it do…and how can it re-invent itself for what’s to come.

“An actor website has always been important – but more now than ever before. With auditions going virtual, it often provides casting directors with their first impression of your toolbox. So how does a working actor ensure that their website exceeds industry standards?”

I want theatres to continue to talk to each other because yes we’ve all figured out a way for our companies to operate now, but we’re going to need each other when we do come back again. We’re going to need to talk, to strategize, to come back united not just for the sustainability of the companies but for the audiences, for the artists..

The way we are making art changes so quickly, and our institutions this year are changing so quickly that there is a deep sensitivity to making sure we are doing it right, and that we’re creating art in a responsible way that we never did before.

“Every single acting teacher that I’ve trained with has given me something that I apply to my work (and life) today.”

“Instead of saying, “the director makes the final decision” and that we are not responsible, I am optimistic that we are standing up and calling things out when they are wrong, racist, inauthentic--discovering that we have more power than we thought.”