"Make Sure to Create a Mental Safe Space for Yourself." Chatting w/ RENT at ArtsCentric Artist Ricardo Blagrove!

By. Kevin Ray Johnson (Staff Writer for OnStage Blog)

I would like you to meet the wonderful and amazing Ricardo Blagrove. Ricardo is currently starring as Mark in RENT at ArtsCentric directed by Kevin S. McAllister (Broadway's Caroline, or Change, Come From Away). A regular in the DC & Baltimore theatre scene, Ricardo has performed for companies such as The Kennedy Center, Baltimore Center Stage, Signature Theatre, Rorschach Theatre, Everyman Theater, Roxy Regional Theatre, and Toby's Dinner Theatre, just to name a few. Ricardo is one of those talents that only makes a show better when joining the cast and any Director should run to cast this talented performer in their show. I am very thankful that Ricardo took the time!

How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a Performer?

I have been performing for as long as I can remember. As a kid I would sing in church every chance I got, which led me to sing in an acapella group, then my high school choir, and then my college choir. Acting however did not find me until college.

Where did you study? Are there any mentors that genuinely helped make you the Amazing Performer you are today?

I studied music with a voice concentration at Morgan State University. In terms of mentors, the first person that comes to mind is my high school choir director Ned Lewis. At first, I absolutely thought he was crazy but I soon realized it was a passion for his craft that made me want to be just as passionate.

Congratulations on RENT at ArtsCentric. Kevin McAllister is a true gem in this Industry! How has your time been performing in what is arguably the most well-known musical of all time?

Thank you! My time with RENT has been amazing, this cast is hugely talented and completely committed to telling this story. There are moments I have to take a step back and realize that I am a part of something great. It all goes by so quickly so sometimes I just stop and breathe it in.

Are there any other shows, performances, or moments in your career that will always stick out and be near and dear to your heart?

Undoubtedly Little Shop of Horrors. I could not have asked for more out of a production. Every performance I got to play, express, and discover every night. You always bring a little of yourself in the roles that you play, however, Seymour definitely left something with me at the end of that run.

What advice would you give any young artist who would like a career in the performing arts?

1.) Do not rush the journey or compare yourself to the person next to you.

2.) Make sure to create a mental safe space for yourself.

3.) Learn to laugh at yourself. You are in a career where you will be judged by others quite often, do not be your own judge.

RENT is currently running until August 28th, 2022 at ArtsCentric -2600 N. Howard StreetBaltimore, MD 21218. For more information, make sure you visit -https://www.artscentric.org/rent

Ricardo Blagrove!