Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tomeka Allen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Tomeka, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

It was my sophomore year in college. I was in the middle of taking writing and directing classes. I began to notice how my peers responded to short plays that I wrote in class. Jay Putnam was my instructor and he was a pillar in my writing career. In my directing classes, I also began to notice how my professor began to spend more time with me in my craft, shaping me and encouraging me to glean as much as I could, because there was something special about me. His name was John Gulley. From there on out, the freshmen and juniors began to ask me to work with them, help them and to direct their pieces. I was in demand, I was needed, I was looked up to, and that felt amazing.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I STARTED OFF AS A VOICE MAJOR AT UNCG IN THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC. THEN WITH THE MOTIVATION OF A DREAM I HAD, WITHIN A COUPLE DAYS, I HAD CHANGED MY MAJOR TO DRAMA. IT WAS THE ABSOLUTE BEST CHOICE FOR ME, IT WAS VERY THERAPUETIC, AND THROUGH THOSE CLASSES I BEGAN TO UNPACK TRAUMA AND LEARN HOW TO CHANNEL POSITIVITY IN THE PROCESS. IN MY SENIOR YEAR, I BEGAN DIRECTING SHORT PLAYS PUT ON BY FRESHMAN, SOPHOMORES AND JUNIORS. EVEN WHEN I COMPLETED COLLEGE, THEY WERE STILL ASKING ME TO DIRECT THEIR PROJECTS. THE TEACHERS ENCOURAGED ME. PROFESSOR GULLEY WAS A BIG SUPPORTER OF MY WORK AND TOLD ME THAT I HAD A GIFT THAT THE WORLD WOULD APPRECIATE IF I DIDN’T GIVE UP. SO, I DECIDED THEN AND THERE TO DO SOMETHING WITH MY TALENTS. I STARTED WORKING IN THE COMMUNITY, PUTTING ON MY FIRST FLAGSHIP PERFORMANCE OF “SIGHT CHRONICLES, MAN’S TRANSFORMATION FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT.” I TRAINED MANY ARTISTS IN THE GREENSBORO AREA FROM FOLK OFF THE STREET, POETS, AND STUDENTS. EVEN PEOPLE DROVE 2 HOURS TO WORK WITH ME BECAUSE THE ENVIRONMENT I PROVIDED WAS JOVIAL, LIGHT, AND THERAPEUTIC.
DISCIPLINE WAS DEFINITELY A FACTOR. I HAD TO LEARN ORGANIZATION AND THE FACT THAT I COULD NOT DO EVERYTING ON MY OWN. IT TOOK ME A WHILE TO LEARN THAT A TEAM WOULD HAVE LIGHTENED MY LOAD SO MUCH.
HERE AT MY COMPANY, I INSPIRE PRODUCTIONS, MY COMPANY WOULD HAVE BENEFITED MORE FROM A TEAM’S PERSPECTIVE.
HERE AT I INSPIRE, WE MOTIVATE, EDUCATE AND INSPIRE THROUGH FILM/THEATER. WE TOUCH ON THE DISPARAGES IN THE COMMUNITIES AND PROVIDE TOP, GRADE A ENTERTAINMENT. I MENTOR AND NETWORK REGULARLY.
I’M A PERFECTIONIST AND I BELIEVE EVERY DETAIL OF A PROJECT DESERVESTHE SAME AMOUNT OF ATTENTION. THAT IS WHAT SETS ME A PART. i DON’T JUST PUT ON ANY SHOW. IT HAS TO REFLECT THE PROFESSIONALISM AND CALIBER OF EXCELLENCE EVEN ON A GRASSROOTS LEVEL.
I AM MOST PROUD OF MY FIRST SHORT FILM RECEIVING MULTIPLE AWARDS. IT WAS A POSITIVE PRODUCT FROM A SEVERE PAIN IN LIFE. IT WAS ALSOTHE CATALYST TO MY FILM CAREER SINCE I WAS ONLY WELL VERSED IN THEATER. AM ALSO EQUALLY PROUD OF THE AWARD FROM MY OWN CITY, GREEENSBORO. I WAS HONORED RECENTLY ON BEFHALF OF MY CREATIVITY AND ARTISTRLY FULFILLING ALL THE PRINCIPLES OF KWANZAA. NGOZA SABE AWARD.
I WANT MY AUDIENCE TO FEEL AND EXPERINCE EVERYTHING WE PUT OUT ON THAT STAGE AND IN FRONT OF THAT CAMERA. MY GOAL IS TO TELL THE STORY AS CLEAR AND ENTERTAINING AS POSSIBLE TO KEEP EVERYONE’S ATTENTION AND SUBSTANTIAL ENOUGH FOR THEM TO TAKE SOME /VALUABLE NUGGET HOME WITH THEM.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is to know that I am making a difference in someone’s life through the arts. When I sit back and watch the actors or writers that I direct, or coach enjoy what they are doing, I am encouraged to keep doing what I am doing. I am happiest when they are engaged and are giving feedback on how what they are doing is therapeutic, or it keeps them motivated, sane, and inspired.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I think grants and sponsorship opportunities should also be offered to, for-profit artist organizations more. Only a portion of creatives get the proper support that they need. Money for the project is oftentimes hard to come by and society mostly favors non-profit artist organizations. Oftentimes even money for non-profits are hard to come by if you don’t have the information they are looking for, on those grant applications. It takes money to build sets, buy proper equipment, reserve rehearsal space, lockdown venues and if you’re lucky, you can pay yourself and your actors.

Contact Info:

• Website: iinspireproductions.com
• Instagram: @iinspireprods
• Facebook: I Inspire Productions
• Twitter: @iinspireprods
• Youtube: I Inspire Productions

Image Credits
Tomeka Allen, Kizzy Robinson, Suzanne Snuggs Photography