Authenticity is Priority
Artists in Conversation: Talking with Actor & Playwright TAYLOR BLACKMAN
Taylor Blackman is a multi-hyphenate. As an actor, he recently finished the First National Tour of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. He has also performed with Roundabout Theatre Company, The Public Theatre, and New York Stage & Film. Taylor can also be seen on Comedy Central’s Alternatino and on CBS’ FBI. As a playwright, he is currently under commission with Ensemble Studio Theatre & Roberta P Sloan to create a new scientific play. He has also held residency with Hi-ARTS Harlem to develop new works, as well as creatively produced readings and workshops of his own work. In addition, Taylor holds an adjunct professorship with the New School in the Theatre School. Taylor is currently working on a new play titled Hero, created by Shariffa Ali and Vuyo Sotashe.
Renika: In the month of May, The Uptown Collective will be focusing on establishing healthy boundaries as artists. Taylor, you’ve worked as an actor on Broadway tours, Off-Broadway productions, and even as the playwright and producer of your own work. How do you establish healthy boundaries when working in different spaces? What makes you feel safe in a room?
Taylor: The most effective way I’ve established healthy boundaries from the get-go of a process, is to create the understanding amongst the room that every individual in the creative process is invaluable and remarkable in their own right. Not just as an artist, but as an individual primarily. For me, that sets the tone on respect and admiration of the boundaries we all set.
I’ve been very lucky to work in creative spaces where all the humans I work with are good to their core and truly immaculate at what they do. So there tends to be a huge desire to hold sacred space for the boundaries each of us set for ourselves as humans and as artists. It requires constant practice of standing in your truth and knowing that the right people will appreciate you, respect you, and nourish you.
I feel the most safe in a room where there is a genuine sense of play and joy reverberating in the space. Art doesn’t need to be traumatic and painful to make. Sure, it has painful moments of reflection, but the process should feel safe and exploratory above all.
Renika: When I witness your work, the word “free” comes to mind. There’s such freedom and groundedness in the work you share. What was the journey like to have that freedom in your craft as an artist? How important is it to be your authentic self in the room? What was the journey like to discover what makes you, you?
Taylor: That’s very sweet of you to say. The freedom you see in me is one I’m constantly mining for every day. I do know that it requires me to let go of expectations of what I thought my career was “supposed” to look like. It also required me to experience a huge ego death. One that prompted me to question not just my art, but my entire sense of existence. And that was devastating and painful. Because I realized how I was holding onto things or ideologies that were keeping me stagnant. I may have achieved the things I “wanted,” but I was still so unhappy. And it wasn’t until the pandemic when I started writing, that I discovered I had been living in the confines of trying to fit a mold of what I thought the industry “wanted” me to be.
As I get older, authenticity from myself has become such a huge priority, if not THE priority. And I am at a point where I won’t insert myself in spaces of creativity if I can’t be my full, authentic self. Because what’s the cost? My joy. My center. My heart. It sounds corny even saying it, but this industry won’t always hold space for the soft parts of you. So, I have to instill those morals into my work and journey.
Renika: How do you take care of yourself as a human being when you’re not working?
Taylor: Woof. This question is so interesting cause I’m discovering it in real time. For the last year, I’ve been working consistently in my field as an artist. Which is a huge achievement for myself because that’s not always the case. I found time and space to make room for the other parts of my life to flourish. I had a full-time job as a nanny so that I could travel, pay my bills on time, afford therapy, take classes; I was so adamant on not making “me not working” the WORST part of me being in New York. Cause I would be MISERABLE if I focused on “not working”. TRULY.
I find moments of discovery. Whether it’s taking my bike out to new boroughs or exploring different food places. I give myself the chance to experience my existence. And I find utter joy in that. Sometimes as an artist, I can get caught up in the ideology that playing pretend and investigating other people’s stories and lives brings me the most joy. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth. I find joy in existing and experiencing the ups and downs of my own life outside of what my career or passion is.
Renika: What are you reading or watching this month?
Taylor: So, I finally watched Harry Potter all the way through. The movies are a bit corny I have to say, but I also cried watching some parts. Bravo.
Renika: I always close with something called “Word to the Wise.” If you could share some words of wisdom to our readers this month, what would it be?
Taylor: Find your community that understands you are destined for greatness and vice versa. Success is 95-percent based on the people you surround yourself with.
And when I say success, I mean success in all aspects of your life. Be around people who want to see you win in therapy, in love, in family relationships, in boundary settings, in career, etc. Invest in people’s hearts, and let the right people invest in yours.
