We recently connected with Terrace Wyatt, Jr. and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Terrace , thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

Any project in the arts always comes with a lesson. As an actor it takes more than memorization, and being on time to work; it’s exploring who you are as a human being. Things that you need to work on and/or things you can appreciate that makes you love yourself and your presence in the arts.

Multiple shows I’ve done in the past made me realize that I can’t continue living my best life If I don’t take my mental health seriously. Days of rehearsing in a 9a-5p environment, social battery out of control, and not taking some time to rest and prioritize your craft behind closed doors. If you don’t take the time to focus on you, it will be impossible to be you physically, mentally, financially, and successfully.

Terrace , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a professional actor, playwright, and director of my own crafts in the theatre world. Born in the Midwest of Overland Park, KS and then my life began in Kansas City, MO. I started theatre in my teen years in middle school; unsure if this was the field I want to do for the rest of my life, but I kept going like the Energizer Bunny because it felt right in my body, mind, and soul to continue my time of having my voice being heard on stage.

I studied Theatre with a BFA in the Arts at William Jewell College at Liberty, MO. Despite from the pandemic, I have been be a full time actor for two and a half years; booked and blessed of opportunities to perform as many musicals and plays as I can as I – still to this day – build my entertainment studios in Kansas City. Almost like Tyler Perry Studios but in the Midwest under my name!!!!

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Society needs to lay off the fact that theatre isn’t a real job nor worth investing as a performer because IT IS a real job and worth every minute just as much watching sports. I believe theatre is a sport because it’s a crazy business, fun, and a learning-experience. Theatre isn’t an easy field; it’s its own World War as an actor, producer, director, playwright, stage manager, scenic designer, wardrobe, tech, etc. Even on the business side is hell when you have to keep the ball going to achieve the goal of telling stories on stage, financially, of course, is always the struggle to scrap up dollars and quarters; it’s expensive. Probably more expensive than the music industry or the exact. The arts isn’t an easy business but what makes it worth working in the field is the passion and hunger you have as a starving artist and will put the effort and time to make your voice heard through your craft. But when it comes to lack of communication, sexual harassment, or verbal abuse, it makes our jobs as artists less fun and more stress and not feel safe nor comfortable to continue if no one or whom ever handles any brutal situations that can conflict the creative process. Everyone’s safety matters and if no ones is willing to be on top of that, how can we as a society continue to do our jobs without the negativity of humanity – if any of this make sense.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Doing theatre as a kid was a hobby I loved growing up. Continued through high school all the way up to college and got my BFA in the Arts for Theatre at William Jewell College (Liberty, MO) and since then I wasn’t overwhelmed of how the world is gonna go with COVID-19 appearing out of nowhere. I was in my room during the lockdown, resting from the four years of college I survived from and began writing plays, films, short films, and television. And made it official that I want to start my own entertainment studios – inspired by Tyler Perry for making it happen for himself and the community. Because of him, I’ve been developing and brainstorming to this very day to get the train going. I know it’s a long journey but it’s the life I want and aiming towards because I live for the arts where I can have a say in my work as a writer; visionary.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @terracewyatt.jr
• Facebook: Terrace Wyatt, Jr.

Image Credits
Lauren Shinoski (Theatre friend) Caroline B. Jackson (Stage Manager and a friend) Cameron Mabie (my best friend) Cynthia Levin (Artist Director for The Unicorn Theatre – Kansas City, MO)