To The Isolated

I read a young woman's Facebook status the other day where she reflected on her life today compared to what her life had been like in previous years. "People don't call like they used to..." she wrote. I hit the love button and rallied up some words of encouragement to leave under her post. I kept scrolling and came across another young woman's status that pretty much exclaimed the same frustration with what I like to call the "you-ain't-useful-to-me-no-more syndrome" that so many people are infected with. I composed another few sentences of encouragement, posted it, and kept scrolling through the usual social chaos on my socially non networking sites.

The next day I found myself still thinking about these young women and their posts. I couldn't help but to think about my life as well and how I too find myself in the same situation they shared. I thought about these ladies individually. One is a an amazing writer and the other one is an entrepreneur legitimately running two companies. Both are in their thirties, hard workers, kind, and deep thinkers. We all have so much in common.

So what makes us not worthy of consistency in friendship?

Is there something we have done?

As an adult seemingly it shouldn't hurt you to see friends hanging out without you and you weren't even a factor when the invitations went out. It shouldn't hurt that your phone doesn't ring anymore because you are no longer needed. But unfortunately, it does in fact hurt. Even though adulthood and frequent independent woman catch phrases are used to camouflage basic human emotion, it doesn't make the experience any less painful.

I hate to use words like alienated because it has such a victimizing tone to it. I, along with these two women are actively sustaining our liberation through womanhood. However, as I confront my these thoughts I am always left with alienation being the descriptor. 

But here's the caveat, we have to stop giving other human beings so much of our headspace and access to power they do not posses. Easier said than done I know, but it's necessary. After taking a hard look at my life and everything that has happened so far I strongly believe that the alienation I feel is simply GOD placing me in isolation.

I'm isolated so He can protect me.

I'm isolated so that He can groom me.

I'm isolated so He can prepare me for the great things He has in store for my life.

Yes, in the meantime its going to hurt. I will feel lonely, used, frustrated, infuriated, and disappointed.

But I have never not had what I needed. I may feel lonely but I have never been alone.

Not once has GOD ever stopped blessing me in my isolation.

So in the meantime I will pray in times of despair but remain thankful that He thought enough of me to place me in isolation.

To anyone who may be going through this very same thing. You are not alone. 

Thank God for choosing you to be apart of the chosen few.

To the isolated.

For The Undiscovered Actor

As many of you know I started my own company, SoulFLY Theatre Society, with one of my best friends from high school in 2010. Since the start of this journey I have battled with myself. Sometimes we are our worst critics.

To be honest I was scared.

Starting a company with little know how is frightening. However, I've been blessed to have met some really amazing people along the way that have supported me.

As a Black female businesswoman (wooof that was even a little scary to type) I am trying to create high quality and thought-provoking artistic experiences that provoke social change. It is my hope to liberate the minority voice, specifically the voices of women of color. Doing all of this on a small budget I often feel limited. This is mainly because I believe artists should be compensated well for lending their gifts to public domain.

Far too often the Arts are not considered a viable occupation. Thats why so many artists have to result to working a 9-5 to pay their bills instead of being fully immersed in their creative outlet. An artist is very much a minority in societal workforce norms, which I find extremely odd given the fact that the amount of consumption of artistic products by the world is vast. Whether its the music you are blasting on your drive to work or when you binge watch your favorite web series, everyday all day no matter where you are in the world you benefit from some sort of art form. Those gifted enough to produce these art forms deserve to be treated the same as any other respected profession.


Throughout my journey with SoulFLY I have been honored to work with lots of wonderful people that understand this very thought and yet still agreed to work with me for small stipends and at times even for free. That is a testament to the love a true artist has for their craft. I have encountered lots of talented actors who could and should very well be seen in all major film, television and theatre outlets.  I've been observing what works for both the actor and the director when forging long lasting relationships and have decided to share.

This post is dedicated to the budding actor who is working with smaller theatre companies. Directors your post is coming soon.

Here we go...

ACTORS:

• BE OPEN TO TRYING A SMALL THEATRE COMPANY--Small theatre companies might not be able to offer you a lot of compensation like larger companies but the close knit relationships formed are priceless. You never know what that company will grow into or do so keep your relationship in great standing with that company.

• SUPPORT BEYOND JUST ACTING--The actors I appreciate the most are the ones that stayed after rehearsal to help clean up or manned the lighting booth. The ones who hit me up just to check in or inquire if I need any help with a project they aren't cast in. It shows the company that they aren't just an added line on your resume. By supporting the company in other ways you prove that you believe in it's mission and want to see the vision come to fruition.

• FOLLOW THROUGH--It's easy to lose professionalism when you aren't being paid. I get it. But you should always maintain professionalism. If you commit to a project with a small theater company give your all plus another 100%. Arrive on time, have your lines memorized if not before then by the deadline, be receptive to direction, and apply the direction given to your task.

• DISPOSITION MATTERS--Man, if I could fully verbalize how one nasty attitude can infect an entire project. Don't be that one. Rehearsals, run-throughs, and filming can be long and taxing but maintain a positive demeanor. Always. You may be tired, hungry, sick, sad...persevere positively! A nasty disposition is not one you want to be associated with your name in the theatre/film community. 

We are all in this thing together. The best of the best is coming your way! Have fun and break-a-leg!