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

Lorraine, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I have made a conscious decision that the projects I choose as a Director will be related to the African-American and African diaspora experience. The first play I directed was Consecrated Ground, by Canadian playwright George Boyd. It was the story of a Black town in Nova Scotia, called Africville, and how the Canadian government systematically neglected the town and its people, eventually leading to the government’s destruction of the town. It was particularly meaningful to me for several reasons – most importantly, that my mother was Canadian, and she had always told me how racist she felt Canadians were. That is something that was never told to us in school. To the contrary, we learned that Canada was the destination for the Underground Railroad, used by escaped US slaves! The revelation that the Canadian government had treated their Black citizens so badly, as recently as the 1960s, was unsettling, and I decided that the story needed to be told. The was when I knew that any creative project I became involved in would have to be educational, as well as entertaining. The play received great reviews, and everyone who saw it was motivated to learn more about the town of Africville and the people who lived there.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Theater was never on my radar, until I retired and began looking for things to fill my time. Almost by accident I met someone who was working on a play, and I inquired about helping in some way. She told me that auditions were being held, and gave me the information. I did audition, and I was given a “bit” part, with only a few lines. But it turned out that my few lines were some of the best lines in the play, and I was immediately noted by other actors and directors. I soon began to get calls asking me to be in other plays. From there, I became interested in the production side of theater, and I have been doing directing and producing ever since.

My background is extremely varied! I attended art school in NYC, so I have a background in graphic arts and design, which has helped me in designing and staging the plays I work with. I have a Masters degree in Public Health, and am also a trained mental health and addictive diseases counselor. The skills I acquired as a counselor have helped me to work with all sorts of people, and to handle sometimes difficult situations. I believe those skills have been invaluable in exploring various characters and story lines, and in helping my actors to better understand their roles. In addition, my interest in Public Health has allowed me to choose plays that deal with concerns that are relevant today, such as epidemics, vaccines, access to health care, and health disparities.

I am extremely proud of what I have accomplished in a short period of time. And I am looking forward to bringing more stories to the stage, and hopefully to whet the appetite of young people – to get involved in theater and the creative arts. It is also extremely gratifying to be able to impart important historical information so that we can better understand where we are as a nation, and how we got here.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I would say the opportunity to educate as well as entertain. There are so many stories that have not been told. I believe it is important to know our history in order to understand our present. There is a reason why things are as they are, and if we can look at history from an honest and critical perspective, we can begin to unravel the complicated threads that form the fabric of our current realities. Through the creative arts, it is possible to explore topics in imaginative ways, and to present them in ways that stimulate all our senses.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

The book that has had the most influence on my life haas noting in particular to do with creativity per se, but rather how to deal with life on life’s terms. It is THE FOUR AGREEMENTS, by Miguel Ruiz. Ruiz states that by making 4 very simple (but not always easy) agreements with yourself, you can change you entire way of thinking and your perspective on life and relationships. This book teaches me how to remain humble and yet motivated; involved, and yet appropriately detached; truthful, and yet not mean-spirited; and self-directed in a healthy way. I highly recommend it for everyone!

And…ANYTHING written by James Baldwin. If you are not familiar with him, look him up. He was smart, funny, insightful, articulate, thoughtful, and extremely angry. He used his anger and outrage to shed light on the most pressing social issues of his day – issues which are still relevant today. Systemic racism, homophobia, disparities in education, healthcare, and housing, to name but a few. He was a writer, teacher, and social commentator. His plays and books will make you see things in an entirely different light, and will have you questioning your opinions and assumptions.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lorrainebrooks.biz
• Other: EMAIL – [email protected]

Image Credits
photos by John Cholod