CYLS 076: How Hip Hop & Color Are Diversifying Theater with Nsangou Njikam, Mckenzie Frye & Elisha Lawson
Summary: The Cast of Syncing Ink stops in the studio to discuss their upcoming show and shed light on their experience as people of color in the theater industry and what they have done to sustain and change the game. Insight from this episode: When picking a team Nsangou looks for his artists to be the following: Professional Adaptive Take advantage of artistic freedom Chemistry - who do I want to work with Community Things that make sure everyone is good on set: Snacks and a team that will check in to make everyone is treating others right. “Part of what can motivate people is knowing that there is sweetness in the moment as opposed to sweetness later “-Nsangou Njikam Episode #76 All of these artists are here to serve the work The name of the play comes from the line “I start to think and then I sink into the paper like I was ink” in I know you got soul by Eric B. & Rakim Elisha talks about his experience auditioning and freestyle rapping with the director during his audition. The entire cast talk about their issues and experiences with auditioning for roles and share the following: The audition room is a huge hurdle because you have to fit into someone else’s idea of what you should be as a person of color As a person of color you have to understand that the lens often times is not the lens of the people that you see on stage its the lens of the viewers and the writers Why minorities do not attend the theater as much as other races: Cost Positive representation of people of different races and cultures beyond diversity and on to human community and purpose How to diversify the theater: Buy tickets to shows especially minority shows Make noise when you see there Tell people who work at the theater that you want to see more shows that represent you Elisha got into theater to be in a play as Santa Clause because he wanted to kiss Ms. Claus "Discipline plus faith beats anything" - Mckenzie Frye Episode #76 Nsangou got into theater because his older brother used to be in theater and his parents would throw him parties after his performances. Things to do to stay out of your own way: Don’t judge, Don’t judge yourself just do, be in the practice of your faith and beliefs - Mckenzie Frye Ask yourself what happens if I win. Place tangible things in your life that symbolize success - Nsoungo Face your fears and practice everyday - Elisha Resources to be successful in the theater and performing world: voiceovers, memorization and movements read this book Uta Hagen -Challenge for the Actor - https://www.amazon.com/Challenge-Actor-Uta-Hagen/dp/0684190400 - Elisha “Don’t wait for a stage, see if what you do works in real life” - Mckenzie Frye Episode #76 Read the Alchemist, Star Wars and Hip Hop - Nsoungo Manifest and speak things into existence The play starts 9/25/17 buy tickets to the play here: http://www.theflea.org/show_detail.php?page_type=0&show_id=192 Nsangou's 3 keys to Create Your Best Life: Do things with your body Study someone who is doing or has done what you want to do and modify it to yourself Get in tune with how life works Elisha's 3 keys to Create Your Best Life: create your daily blueprint Have faith Find your inspiration Mckenzies's 3 keys to Create Your Best Life: Know that you are enough Try everything you think you can do “Have mercy on yourself in the process” - Mckenzie Frye Episode #76 Kevin: www.kevinybrown.com www.instagram.com/kevinybrown www.twitter.com/kevinybrown www.facebook.com/kevbrown001 Elisha: http://www.instagram.com/elishalawson https://www.facebook.com/elishalawson Mckenzie: www.instagram.com/mckenziefrye https://www.facebook.com/mckenziefrye Subscribe to our podcast + download each episode on itunes, google play, stitcher and www.createyourlifeseries.com/podcast
