Anthony: After graduating with a BFA in musical theatre from Howard University, I spent some time interning and later working at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, NJ, under the artistic direction of Emily Mann. It was a great opportunity! I met a lot of amazing actors, playwrights, and directors who were invested in how theatre empowers people. So, when I moved back to DC, I was searching for opportunities to further that feeling and I found ArtStream. In fact, when I first reached out, I was unable to join the company because of commuting issues, I was heavily metro dependent. A couple of years later, I purchased a car and reached out to ArtStream again. I started with one of the Gaithersburg Inclusive Companies. After a few, years my job relocated me and I was unable to keep up with the schedule. When Patti reached out, I was thrilled for the opportunity to return!

Anthony: I truly began to study and appreciate theatre in high school. While I had been a band guy in middle school. My highschool, like my hometown, was very small–even though it began with 8th grade, however, this gave me the opportunity to audition for school plays. It was great. I asked our director/drama teacher about auditioning for The Governor’s School for the Arts–a part time high school focusing solely on the arts. Mr. Raybuck helped me with my audition and I got into the school. I would spend my mornings at “home school” and the bus in the afternoon to GSA. It made for some very long days, especially after being cast in shows, but it was a great experience.

Anthony: I decided to be involved with ArtStream because of how it uses theatre to develop real life social and communication skills. Having been in theatre most of my life, I think that there is so much to be learned from the art, beyond the words of the playwright, or vision of the director, we learn how to adapt and work together to embrace uncertainty. Most importantly, we learn to move forward, accepting moment to moment reality. This can be challenging for anyone, I love ArtStream’s investment in the community we serve.

Anthony: My fulltime job is retail management. When I first began as an associate, over 10 years ago, I knew I wanted to run my own store. Staging, lighting, improv, all are a part of my work day. I’m given so many opportunities to make an impact on someone’s day, both internally and externally.

Anthony: Patience. The world is always moving so fast, the most important thing I can offer my students is patience: taking the time to listen, and giving them space to grow.

Anthony: I have two things to say for stage fright: 1. Being nervous means you don’t take your responsibility lightly. Embrace that. 2. Theatre is a team sport. You’re never alone, even if you’re the only one on stage.

Anthony: ArtStreamers are constantly inspiring me. There’s this phrase that I’ve heard a few times from different people at different times: being called on to sing, or start an improv, or practice a dance routine: I’m scared but I will try it. Yes! Let’s!

Anthony: I have seen all kinds of growth from students in rehearsals. Of course, students have become better speakers, but they also have become better listeners. I’ve watched shy students become bolder over the years. I am excited about how my new company will grown as we embark of this journey.

Anthony: My favorite musical is Wicked. It was the first show I ever saw on broadway and the memories of Kristin Chenoweth, Idina Menzel, and Norbet Leo Butz are still fresh in my mind. I have always been a fan of fairy tales and I love how the musical challenges the perspective of a well known story and gives a different take without negating the original story. The music also just made me feel good and dramatic. I used to reenact Defying Gravity hopping across the living room on a broom!

Anthony: I’ve always wanted a Captain Planet Musical. The beginning would feature all the main characters speaking in their native languages until they get their rings. The Captain planet fights would resemble The Amazing Spider Man, where the stage is used to create a view that looks like the audience is hanging above skyscrapers and looking down on the action.