Charmed, I'm Sure
nytheatre.com q&a preview by Onyi Okoli
October 8, 2012
What is your job on this show?
I am the writer and performer of Charmed, I'm Sure!.
Do you consider yourself a writer who also performs, an actor who also writes, or something else?
I consider myself an actor who also writes. I enjoy creating works from the african american experience and diversifying the material that is often out in the market.
If you are performing in the piece you wrote, do you think another actor could also play this role?
I don't think its possible for another person to play me in my solo show. They don't have my "Baldimo" charm.
Who are some of the people who helped you create this show, and what were their important contributions to the finished product?
While studying theater at the University of Southern California, I took Professor Eric Trules' solo class. Under his guidance, I developed Charmed, I'm Sure! Eric Trules definitely brought out the best in my writings. Even if my first draft was great, he'd find something for me to correct or alter. He always made sure I never lost my voice.
Which famous solo performer has been most inspirational to you: Spalding Gray, John Leguizamo, Lily Tomlin, or Whoopi Goldberg?
I love Whoopi Goldberg! Her entrance to the stage in her solo show is hillarious. All of her characters were funny in their own way but dealt with serious matters. I would like to one day write a play with as much depth and vunerability displayed in her characters.
How important is diversity to you in the theater you see/make?
Diversity in the theater I see and make is very important to me. It is the reason why I started writing and it is the reason why I continue to write. If I could create more opportunities in this market for people of color, then I would feel as though I accomplished something great!
