What to Expect When You're the "Token Black" Performer at a Summer Stock

Summer stock is a time for young artists from all walks of life to come together and work on their craft. You get to do a lot of shows sometimes in less than 12 weeks. It is a lot of work, and it can be fun, but it is also very stressful.

When I was coming up in my twenties, I was fortunate enough to perform with several summer stock theatre companies throughout this country (that will remain nameless), and there was something I noticed very quickly. I was often one of if not the only black performer there. I hid it, but there were moments where it made me uncomfortable. I can openly say that there were always a handful of people who were always welcoming and made an effort to not make me feel out of place. But, there were also those who did the contrary.

So, here are a few things you will likely encounter as the "token black" at a summer stock, and here the best ways to maneuver yourself during your summer (AKA: things I wish I was told or knew in my twenties).

1.) Someone will talk to you about Ragtime or "Insert black show here" - It always happens. Now, do not misconstrue this. Ragtime is a beautiful and powerful story, but for some people you come across, all they see is a Musical that has Black People. Therefore, since you're black, that's where you should direct your career.

When I was younger, I used to resent Ragtime because of all the white people who would constantly talk to me about it. Just know that many conversations you have with people will end with you getting typecast in Ragtime or any other token black characters in musicals (Mitch Mahoney in Spelling Bee was also a popular one for me for a while, and coming in 3rd is Jim in Big River). To these people, I say I'm happy that you feel I can play a Black Man who is shot by white people purely off of racism, but my career on the stage doesn't need to be completely defined by the "Black Struggle".

2.) If you show any emotion that isn't happiness, it will be conceived as anger - I am a passionate person, and the number of times I have been told to "calm down" at this point is infuriating. Coming up in my 20s, it was even worse. Summer stock can be a very stressful process, and if you do not turn into a robot-like some people do or show any vulnerability, people will change the narrative of you like the seasons in a year.

You will go from being their "Buddy" to being someone who is difficult to work with all because you show a little emotion. You show that you're human. Do not let anyone dictate how you should act just because they never took the time to get to know you and created all these preconceived notions in their mind that stem from a very negative and ( though sometimes they don't realize) a very racist place. You are good. Do not get gaslit by these ignorant people.

3.) If you don't feel comfortable bringing your solo "to church," then don't - A lot of people you'll encounter have honestly never been around Black People, and they just assume that what they see when they are flipping through channels and come across a Tyler Perry film is what every black person is like in real life. Deep down inside, they think we wake up singing "This Little Light of Mine" and seeing how many different ways we can riff in it, and after that, we go down to the kitchen and cook up some of them greens for the day. Not every black person's upbringing is the same.

For example, I grew up in Minnesota on Grunge Rock, but a lot of my family lives and came up in Georgia. I love my family, but we are very different. So, when the music director sees you, one of two things will probably happen. You'll either get ignored or they will bring up how they saw Melba Moore perform in the '90s and how much they loved it or something like that. Then, they'll eventually give you a solo where they, in their own way, will ask you to "bring it to church". If this happens and you don't feel comfortable, it's really simple: say no.

4.) People will try to come for you - It always happens at every Summer stock. Everyone starts off on an even playing field, but eventually, the cliques start to form. Then, you can start to see those 3 to 4 individuals who the powers that be at the company are starting to favor.

Sometimes, it doesn't go to their heads, but that's very rare. When you stand out or are different, those golden boys and girls will start trying to come for you. Ignore them and pay them no mind because it truly stems from ignorance, insecurity, and (to keep it real) a lot of them are peaking. While this is a gig for you, to some of them, it's their magnum opus, and it's probably not going to get any better for them. So, wait about 5 years and see where they are because a lot of the time, about 90 to 95 percent of them are no longer performing. Remember when they come for you to just smile and keep it moving.

5.) Be completely fine and content with not being invited to "day off hangouts" - By this time, weeks have gone by and the cliques have formed. There might be a chance that you are on the outside looking in. That is completely okay. Do not let people you're going to be around for 2 months dictate what you think of yourself. You will meet lifelong friends through these experiences, but please remember that you are there to work (I wish so badly I was told this in my 20s).

6.) Call people out on their Racism! - They know all the words to Hamilton, so how in the world could they be racist? We need to stop with this mindset that the Theatre Industry doesn't have discrimination because of how liberal it is. It does have discrimination, and it can be very loud and in-your-face sometimes; other times, it's silent and passive-aggressive. I think now more than ever is the perfect time to remember to speak up. There have been so many things that were said to me throughout my career that I look back on and wish I would have spoken up. I distinctly remember when a summer stock I was working at was doing Rent, someone saying to me "They're doing Rent. I mean. Why else would you be here?" I really regret not speaking up at that moment and saying something.

Now, I also despise when the race card is played unnecessarily, but I feel that, at this point, when people get called out on their racism, the people calling them out know what they are talking about. There is no credit big enough and not enough EMC points in the world that should keep you silent. Speak up, and do not feel ashamed of doing so. And if your career is threatened, please know that those threats are so empty and hold no ground. You will be fine.

So, there it is. Remember that everyone's path is different, and while you might witness some of your white peers get opportunity after opportunity, that does not lower the value of your talent at all. Do not let these factors make you ever second guess yourself. Love what you do, but more importantly, love who you are with your entire molecular structure!

Remember that you are one talented motherfu**er! Do not let any white person get in your face and tell you otherwise. Do not let them drive your life. You drive it! Look in the mirror and be proud of what you see. if the tears come, let them, but be proud! Go get 'em!

I am going to end this with this powerful message from Jenifer Lewis that I have watched so many times throughout my career. -