I've had the pleasure of knowing Maya, a sophomore musical theatre major, for two years now at the University of Michigan, and I am continually blown away by her dedication and sheer drive, in addition to her power as a performer. Not only is Maya a force to be reckoned with on the stage, but she is also a force behind the scenes, advocating for equal rights and representation for people of color both on- and off-stage. Maya is only halfway through her journey in college, but she's already expressed interests (and dipped her toes) in directing & choreography. Our work together on the Student Advisory Committee for our program has also shown me her unstoppable strength as an activist.
"We have to keep our performances alive because somebody needs them. Theatre is something special to someone, and that inherently makes it special for you."
Q: What in performance do you admire?
When people are brave enough to be vulnerable, despite how dangerous that may be. Making real connections with people and really taking time to do that. Having genuine empathy for others, which also takes a certain amount of vulnerability.
Q: Three ways you stay grounded in this field:
SLEEP!
Constant check-ins with the habits I'm forming, especially in terms of social interactions. I have to constantly check in with myself and my social circles to see if what I'm doing in the present will serve me in the long run.
Making time to do things that aren't "important," like watching TV or goofing off. That's something I didn't always do in high school, and, looking back, I had no social life because I was constantly focused on school, grades, being perfect, and getting into college. I achieved my goals, but was I having fun? No. So I try to prioritize that now. Letting loose allows you to be a happy, EMOTIONAL human being.
Q: Best part of working in this industry:
The best part of being here is that you get to serve other people by being selfish. The audience gets so much out of it, but ideally, so do you. Someone once told me that he keeps his performances fresh by reminding himself it is always someone’s first and last time in the theatre every night. We have to keep our performances alive because somebody needs them. Theatre is something special to someone, and that inherently makes it special for you.
Q: Worst part of working in this industry:
This ultimately can be a positive, too, but you have to get really used to being beaten down by rejection, competition, and inauthentic people. It's hard, but it steels you, and it makes you more perseverant. It also means that the things you do achieve are even more meaningful. And I guess this is what ultimately separates the fish from the sharks. This aspect of the industry ruins performing for some people, but, for those who persist, it turns itself into a positive.
Q: Who is someone you look up to?
I’m obsessed with Bruno Mars! All around. His live performances are so great, and he’s also a FIERCE dancer. And he knows his style, especially music-wise. Style-wise, he really came into his own on his last album. There's some controversy surrounding him appropriating black culture, but my opinion is that communities of color share music and culture because of the segregation of urban communities. Especially in NYC, all of the immigrant communities coalesce, creating common ground where culture & music are shared. I learned that through working on IN THE HEIGHTS; it showed me just how much hip hop has influenced Latin communities in America. Hip hop and R&B are just as much a part of the American experience for other communities of color as they are for African-American communities. So, yeah, Bruno's my inspiration right now. :)
Q: What makes you proud to be who you are?
I feel like who I am has a lot more to do with what I’ve been through than anything else. Growing up, I switched schools a lot, and my parents got divorced, so my life thus far has consisted of a lot of scattered pieces. I think who I am now has been a product of trying to push through those circumstances. I guess what I’m trying to say is I’m still in the thick of the journey, so being proud of who I am is something I'm still figuring out.
In terms of being a person of color, there's group on Facebook called the Black Undergraduate Theatre Collective. It's a very specific narrative and is intended for black people in theatre in college. I just identified with it and with the people in it so much. It’s given me a deep appreciation for people who I don't even know, yet who are so similar to me. We're all joined by a connective thread of experience.
Q: What advice do you have for young performers of color?
Don’t let your creativity be inhibited by what you see. Things are never going to change as quickly as you want them to, so you just have to create that change for yourself. And creating that change starts with envisioning what you want for your life. It's so easy for young artists of color to be beaten down by the realities of the world, but really holding on to that hope -- that young, recklessly optimistic spirit -- is what will make a difference. That’s something I think our generation has begun doing: We've begun expecting equality and change, i.e. this is what needs to happen & what is going to happen regardless of what other people say, as well as knowing that you don’t have to go through it alone. Also, I'd say accept help from people of privilege. In the black community, we strive for self-sufficiency. But be willing to allow others to help and use their privilege to support you. Give them something concrete to help with, for example, ask them to help you fund your project. Accept help so you can get your foot in the door.
It's so easy for young artists of color to be beaten down by the realities of the world, but really holding on to that hope -- to that young, recklessly optimistic spirit -- is what will make a difference.
