Positive Triggers of WGN's Underground

Underground. I watch for a lot of reasons. The acting. The storytelling. The costumes. The cinematography. The representation of it all. The presence of women (of color) in front of the screen. Aisha Hinds. Jurnee Smollett-Bell. Amirah Vann. Jasika Nicole. Dewanda Wise. Misha Green. And there's the AAW showrunner Misha Green too?!?! Talk about a body of work in your field having a team that is inspirational as fuck! I'm here for it. ALL. OF. IT.

I've wanted to be an actor since I was about 6/7 years old. My first role? I played a slave that picked cotton in my elementary school's Black History Month play in the second grade. You couldn't tell me nothing! I was the best cotton picker in the world that day! I mean, in my mind, I was WORKING. (I'll elaborate on the (in)appropriateness of this performance later.) So yes, me watching UNDERGROUND is not surprising. I am an actress. I am a writer. I like creating and telling stories. And if I had to, as history has proven to women like myself over and over again, I will write these stories and surround myself with a badass team of like-minded folx. 

That being said, watching Underground... is difficult. It has triggers! And while some of it I've experienced, I can't claim all of it as my own. Is that how triggers work I wonder? Must you have claim to the pain? To some degree yes. But seeing someone suffer at the hands of physical and psychological abuse is a difficult. Let alone a person who likes like me, and had I been born a few years earlier, I likely would have suffered the same abuse. When it comes to Underground sometimes I have to stop and check-in with Twitter at a later date because #toomuchtrauma. And all that trauma has been passed down.

Not always proud of it, but sometimes I'm thankful that 'streaming' is a thing. And while all of this technological advances allows me to "skip past the discomfort," should be allowed to skip past it? What is the requirement to check? And does this mean I have privilege?

So, I oft decide to dutifully watch because #theculture #representation #playcousins #masterclass in #writing, #acting, #storytelling. Those are positive triggers. Triggers to move forward and get to getting.

I Am A Badass.... (I Think I Can. I Know I Can. I Will.)

I am working to transform my stories from the written page into fully mounted productions, ie getting them mounted on a stage or edited into a film. However, I am, by nature, someone who wants to know everything about a task/project/place before I make a single step in its direction. I want to feel fully equipped to handle every possible mishap and figure out its solution. Call me the Queen of Research if you want... actually don't call me that. There is nothing appealing or badass about that title. Ick. Next.

But, since I am attracted to badasses and I want to be one, one day, I have force myself to get over my bullshit anxiety. Badasses don't need to know everything to make a move.Well behaved women rarely make history. No guts no glory. I'm looking especially to AFFRM (African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement) founder, television & film director, and one of my biggest inspirations Ava DuVernay who says

“You can’t move forward when your actions hinge on someone else doing something for you. All the time you spend focused on trying to move ahead in the industry, trying to grab, is time you’re not doing the work. Waiting for permission, waiting for help, waiting for understanding is not doing. You gotta knock it off."

Several things help me move forward.

• I don't have all the financial support needed to endow me with the uber-confidence needed to pursue my ridiculous ambitions. And yet support systems, whether they be a partner/spouse, family member, or (ride-or-die) friend, are paramount in achieving anything. No one achieves anything great without help. But I do have some support. I have a few pillars that I can lean on when my confidence is shot.

• Collaboration is fucking key. Doing things by yourself, in the grand scheme of things, albeit safe, is stupid. Supremely stupid. Sure, you won't disappoint others by failing them and they can't hurt you by not following through. But the depth and level of success you can attain by working with a group of contributors working and riffing off of one another's ideas is enough to make me run headfirst into a jazz jam session. (I think there's a metaphor in there. Go with it. I mean it!)

• Being a boss is cool. Rappers talk about it, CEOs talk about it, Presidents talk about it. But all jest aside, I'm super excited to make an impact. I'd rather embarrass myself in an attempt to make something that matters to me, and perhaps others, than being jealous of someone else who had the courage to go for it.

So with those tools in hand, I am putting my producer hat into the next gear. I'm working harder than ever, and it hurts. And? 

Happy New Year, Happy New... Same Ol Shit But Better

Happy New Year everyone. I gotta say, I was rather pleased with my entry into 2014. And grateful to chunk the deuce to 2013. Don't get me wrong, some AMAZING things happened in 2013. But some of my lowest moments occurred last year as well. And it hurt. It hurt like a muthafucka. There's that saying of "God is getting your prepared to handle larger obstacles in the future." On more than one occasion I thought to myself F*** this! More pain not necessary. Seriously, I'm not ready to handle more obstacles if they are harder. I'm good where I am. Who the hell do I think I am?

That being said, I'm grateful to have gone through the year and made it to 2014. I recently read an article about focusing on systems rather than goals when approaching accomplishments and I liked the idea. Actually going through what I want to achieve and focusing NOT on the final milestones but the actual every day steps, the journey (and seeing if you enjoy THAT) is a helpful way to think about moving past regrets and actually learning from one's mistakes. I also came across this article about the 100 day project at the top of the year. People will approach a project/skill they want to tackle and submit a 10sec clip of it everyday. It's quite inspiring.

And since it's essentially talking about New Year's resolutions, I'm going to put out some goals that I'd like to achieve this year. :D

• Write a scene everyday
• Blog everyday
• Learn a new language, to play new instrument, to code, to tap dance
• Develop my web presence
• Publish a book
• Produce a web series
• Produce a stage reading of a play
• Workout 5X a week
• Eat better

Knowing me, I'll come up with a multitude of goals to add to it, but there's nothing wrong with creating and adding to an awesome to-do/experience list.

-Eazeway

What You Didn't Know about Tony and Olivier Award-Winning Choreographer Stephen Mear

I had the pleasure to sit down and chat with Stephen Mear, the brilliant choreographer of Milwaukee Repertory Theater's current production of Ragtime and boy did we have a great time! He squeezed in some time to meet with me post rehearsal, both of us exhausted, to have a real conversation about art, life, and the pursuit of happiness. As you read, imagine us both laughing hysterically... or rather me... laughing (unattractively) in hysterics. Both in and out of the rehearsal hall, He has taught me so much about performance, work ethic, movement, storytelling, and being a great human being. Little did I know that this wonderful spirit is also a two-time Olivier and one-time Tony award winning choreographer. If you get the chance to work with him, hell talk to him, you are definitely in good hands.

-----

Stephen, what's up? Thanks so much for letting me do this. Well the first thing I wanted to know is, what drew you to dance in the first place?
When I was 3, my mum was a dance teacher at a school. She just used to help out. And so I used to run in and out of the class. And I just joined that way. She never wanted me to. I just chose to do it.

Did you just keep taking classes?
Yeah, and also I'm dyslexic. It was a way I could express myself through dance. So that's why I kind of pursued it more.

You told me that sometimes it goes back and forth with how often travel between the UK and the US. What's your preference?
I like both. I think I'm very lucky, I think I'm so lucky. Oh my God. Most of my work the last few years has been in the UK.

What do you think the difference is between English performers and American performers?
I think [England] has the same amount of talent. They used to say that English people didn't have the talent as much as Americans. I mean [England] fits into Texas three times, so the talent [England] has got is snapped up straight away. Whereas in America there is so much more talent. That's what it is. And I think in England because they are paid such crap money, I think they must love it if they do it there. Everybody I know who's in the West End teaches or does another job

How comes you guys don't have Equity there or a union?
We do, but you don't have to be a part of it. Wish is such a shame because if you were it would be stronger. So people can come in off the street and audition and have no training, nothing. Normally it doesn't work for them like it does for people who are trained.

What's it like to be in Milwaukee? 
Fabulous!

Did you think it was random?
It's not because, I work at a rep theater in England called Chichester Festival Theatre and it's very similar to that which is outside of London. It's kind of the same feel. It's a massive city with no cars on the road. They have these wide roads and hardly any traffic.

Stephen Mear (R) teaching a sequence for Tateh & Little Girl in "Ragtime"

So you're going to New York after this?
Yeah, to audition dancers for the Met, the Metropolitan Opera for a few days. I'll be back over there for Christmas and New Year.

What would you encourage a young dancer to do? Why do it? Is it even worth it?
If you are a dancer I would encourage you to do it if you wanted to do it. I deal with musical theater people so I prefer triple threats that can act, sing and dance.

How is it working in the show dealing with different skill levels and body types?
I'm so used to it because I've done a lot of musicals where we've had to just have actors. It's just giving them confidence to believe in you and trust you. Like I always say to everybody, I will never make anybody look stupid. I really believe it. But also, I think once you say that to somebody, people will open up to you, even if they make a fool of themselves in rehearsal, they are willing to do that to see how far they can be pushed.

What's your biggest pet peeve about performers or dancers?
When people say no. If someone says "no, I can't do that" "or no I wouldn't" and they start getting defensive, that's when you know you're in trouble and I'm not good with people like that.

I am a little curious, not to backtrack too much, but you mentioned you were dyslexic. Have you ever made any pieces about being dyslexia?
No I haven't actually. And when I decided to do "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" in Mary Poppins [on the West End], Matthew Bourne said to me "are you mad?" Because I couldn't spell it. We had to have all the letters on the mirror while I was doing it!

Were you ever teased about being dyslexic?
.......
More on this and the struggles of being a performer in Part II of our conversation here.

I'm Acting... in the Houston Shakespeare Festival

So...this past Tuesday I began working, as an actor, in the Houston Shakespeare Festival. I was a perfect mix of excitement and nerves. I've had forays into the professional acting world, but it's my first gig post graduate school school. I was really looking forward to being in the rehearsal room again. It's been awhile, and if you know anything about actors, they thrive in rehearsal... they do not enjoy when they don't have a chance to perform.

Boy is it fun. Although I'm continually working on my writing and producing skills, I am an actor. Being in the room is great. I love that I get to meet so many new talented artists. They make so many strong, wonderful choices. I am constantly observing, listening, and writing down notes...you know to steal for later. HA! I love that I can contribute as well, and so far... I'm on par! I'm looking forward to digging deeper! Thus far, we've only worked on 'As You Like It.' The director, Marc Masterson, who's great to work with (and who also looks a like he could be related to Alan Thicke... it's a compliment), has chosen to set it in New Orleans and the swamp surrounding it. I play Phoebe. a shepherdess. So... ya' girl Nickclette gets to try her hand at that dialect! The role is fun and challenging, so much so that I find myself sweating, a lot. And, given that we are doing this show outdoors, in the heat, in Houston TEXAS, I don't think I'm gonna do much in the way of makeup. 

We've already begun staging it and it's only day three. We haven't gotten to 'Antony & Cleopatra' yet, directed by Leah Gardiner, but I'm excited (and nervous) to begin. We have about three weeks of rehearsal for both shows before tech. It'll be the shortest rehearsal period I've ever had.

In the words of contemporary poet Waka Flaka Flame... "Oh let's do it! Yup!"

Ain't Nobody Got Time For That: Working Amidst Self-Doubt

I am a worrier by nature... well my present nature. I don't think think I was always this way and I certainly hope not to be when I hit 30/35/30. (Everyone always talks about hitting those ages as this amazing time of "don't-give-any-fucks" with such joy and serenity. But that's where I sit now. And I don't like it. I really don't like it. It can be immensely overwhelming to think about how something, someone, some choice from your past may detrimentally affect your future. Hell, by the sheer virtue of my blackness, I may not get a job from some company. And what if I really wanted that job!? Or, the fact that I went to Harvard makes people give me a second glance, as if some institution makes you better? I mean, I'll take that advantage, but that doesn't guarantee me anything. Or, what about that potentially infamous picture that's on Facebook (don't go looking for it) that some "frenemy" won't take down? Or, that one time I.......  Or, the fact that I am pro-choice (not pro-terminate)... but pro-choice and I decide to express the values? So forth and so on. I won't divulge every victory or failure of my past of which in the latter there are many... but you see how my mind works? 

The only solution I've found on my worst day seems trivial... and on my best day seems life- affirming. 

• Say/Pray something to God/Higher Power/Heavens/Universe
• Connecting with good, honest people with whom you can talk and fellowship
• Be outside in nature listening to the little miracles, ie birds chirping, wind blowing, rain drops hitting the ground, bugs trynna bite me (I think I may have been a tree in another lifetime. HA!)
• Writing
• And recite the serenity prayer. Like a lot. Like.. to the point where my shoulders relax. Reminding myself that I can't control everything and attempting to, will surmount in a massive panic attack.

So in the meantime, I'm going to work on things I CAN control, like publishing a book of monologues this fall, and keepin it movin'. Cause when it comes to worry.... "ain't nobody got time for that."

Help Me Edit Episode 1

Hey Guys!

Remember the episodes that I spoke about writing in this post here? Well, I've published episode 1 on Scribd.com! Click the link below. I'd love any feedback from you guys to help me make it better. Let me know what you like, don't like, and are curious about! Let's get editing.

Siblings - Episode 1 - Draft 5 by Nickclette Izuegbu

Guest Blogger: Jelisa1987 - "The Quietest People Have The Loudest Minds"

“The quietest people have the loudest minds.”

My friends don’t think I’m quiet.  In fact, I’m sure they wish I would shut up!  It’s when I get into the workplace that I calm down.  I become quiet.  I may joke a bit here or there but I’m generally chill… which causes people to think I’m shy.  People assume so much about the quietest person in the group.  They think that they are timid and meek because they aren’t yakking at every comment brought up in the conversation but what I’ve noticed about those who choose their words wisely is that they are key observers and some of the brightest people you’ll ever meet.

During my first week of working as a program tutor to high school students, I wasn’t the loud one, the flamboyant tutor.  I worked hard to make sure everything was getting done.  My goal was not to make jokes and play around (although after hours my co-workers and I did that).  Work is what I’m getting paid for.  The thing about working so hard is that you miss out on the moments where the fun and laughter happens. Bonding. I usually suck it up and remind myself that that is what breaks, after hours and weekends are for.  I’m here to do a job.

Working with so many different personalities has taught me so much about life.  I’ve been dealing with so much personally. If you are quiet, don’t be afraid to speak up when you need to.  A closed mouth doesn’t get fed.  Not everyone is going to notice your hard work and effort but work hard anyway.  If you need to assert your presence do so (in a kind way).  Remember that your thoughts, ideas and emotions are valuable to the world and you don’t have to change for anyone.  

J

Jelisa1987 is a self-professed "Black Girl, Latin World blogger. Houston raised. Jesus Saved. Leader. Fighter. Writer. K∆X. Afro-Latino advocate. World traveler. Spanish Speaker."

She has an ardent passion for lots of things and one of her biggest goals is to find a way to merge her interest in the arts, activism, and Afro-Latino culture. I think she can do it. Do you? To here more of her musings follow her on Twitter @Jelisa1987.

Guest Bloggers Are A-Comin'!!!!

Hey Guys

Although many of you believe in my inherent genius, I figure two heads are still better than one. Heck, three heads are better than one. There's a lot to be gained from having multiple voices and perspectives come in to conversation with one another. This dialogue allows us question our own beliefs and become more knowledge and aware about the subtle grey areas that represent our cultural consciousness. (Geez, I feel like I'm writing a pair. Ick). As such, in the vein of sharing what "Eaze Way Says," I decided to ask a few of my friends to do the same and become regular guest bloggers! They all have connection to the arts and/or entertainment industry, but they also have interests that extend far beyond my own. It's my belief that this collective sharing will offer some great fellowship and great support.

Writing A Monologue.... Why Try?!

So, my writing/editing session had to be rescheduled and THAT bummed me out. BUT since I know that continually creating work is imperative to my career success and overall trajectory, I am moving on to another new project in the mean time.

If you didn't know, actors, always have to audition. That's the real job, auditioning. If you can imagine constantly having to go on a job interview, sometimes 2 or 3 times in a day...actually don't. That's the annoying bit, especially for me because I just want to act, not clamor to get the chance to do it. But, one of the things that I have learned in my many years of auditioning is that one of the best ways to set myself up for success in an audition is to pick good material that resonates with me. It may speak to my personal experience or it may just scare/excite me in some way. Since I know me best....  why don't I just write with my own monologues? Why don't I! As my friend Mark Brown II told me

"Make the art that you want to make. Be critical later. Some ideas are great on paper and suck in life and some ideas aren't the best on paper but ROCK in real life."

So, my next project will come from that. My inspiration? Music that I love. To be honest, this idea started when I saw a quote from the infamous 1999 summer jam by Sisqo entitled "The Thong Song." You laugh now, but can you imagine a monologue that seriously dealt with the concept of the thong? Or a monologue where the protagonist IS a thong? HAHAHA. I'm cracking myself up just thinking about it.

It may be a tremendous failure, or... it could be my biggest piece of genius. So, let me know what your favorite songs are, and I might make a monologue based on your inspiration. I'm looking to make at least 1 good one but I'll write 10. And in case, if you've forgotten:

Episode 3 Has Arrived....

Today I am meeting with a mentor writer friend of mine to get some feedback on episodes I've written for my most recent webseries currently entitled "Siblings." (My family is secretly hoping they are(not) featured in it. LOL.

I'm so excited. I may or may not cry. I may or may not get defensive. I may or may not want to quit afterwards.


Yeah... that's a crock. I'm going to love every uncomfortable awesome moment of it. The part that's probably going to be the most annoying isn't that I'll have to make edits... I love edits. That part that's going to be the most annoying is that now I have to start working on my next project. Idea development never ends. You have to keep writing. There isn't one idea. It's not genius to just write one piece. Genius and excellence develop from a disciplined practice. We don't just have the MacBook... we have the iPad, the iPod, the... well you see where I am going with this. Keep working! guys