We were lucky to catch up with E’brandia Perry recently and have shared our conversation below.
E’brandia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I was raised in a family of artists and creatives. My father, may he rest in peace, was a well-connected professional softball player, entertainer, and musician. My mother also had a passion for music. One of my earliest and most vivid memories with my dad was when he gifted me a Cabbage Patch Kid keyboard for Christmas. I was three years old. This was my first real introduction to music. It’s also where I discovered my own love for it. By the time I was four, I realized I had a natural talent for singing. It became my greatest passion. People were eager to hear me sing whenever they had the chance. Through my father’s connections, I was given the opportunity to audition for a role on The Cosby Show as Rudy Huxtable. Unfortunately, I missed the callback because my dad had fallen asleep on the toilet – a true story! However, that audition opened the door for me to explore the other creative gifts I possessed. From that point on, I’ve been nonstop in pursuing, growing, and sharing my artistic endeavors.
E’brandia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I was born in Toledo, Ohio, and later moved to Texas in 1985, eventually becoming a resident of Missouri City. My parents instilled in me a love for music at an early age – my father was skilled in multiple instruments, and my mother played the organ. I began singing in the gospel choir at age three under the guidance of Shirley Murdock, honing my vocal skills. Throughout my teenage years, I participated in talent show competitions, winning some, and placing in others. I recorded my first demo at 16 and later joined James Fortune and Fiya at seventeen. I left the group to attend Wiley College on a music scholarship. Soon after, I recorded a full-length R&B album and began touring as an opening act for various artists. Despite the album never being released due to management issues many doors opened for me after that experience.
In 2003, I received a scholarship to attend the prestigious University of Houston’s Moore School of Music. My big breakout came in 2005 when I was cast in a leading role of the off-Broadway stage play “Crowns, A Portrait of Women in Church Hats,” which I reprised in 2006. Currently, I am actively involved singing and acting in Houston, most notably portraying Florence Ballard in the production “Dreamgirls Deferred” written and produced by the world renowned Vincent Victoria.
Alongside my performance work, I wear the hats of playwright, director, and producer. This is a passion that runs parallel to my love of music. Right now, I am in preproduction to my stage play called “Therapy” due to premiere at The Match Theatre in Houston, Texas on May 17th. I am super proud and excited about this project. My best one yet; and this is coming from someone who is highly critical of themselves. For me to say it’s great… it really must be! I have a great production team and equally great cast. They are why I do it… Yes I love it, but I do it for them. I take great pride in my self-reliance and proactive approach to creating opportunities, both for myself and fellow creatives. Rather than waiting for chances to arise, I actively forge my own path, driven more by passion than financial gain. At the end of the day, if I am able to create one opportunity for someone to feel compete in their craft, my job here is done.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I LOVE developing other creatives! It brings me so much joy and satisfaction. Being able to mentor, coach, and guide individuals who are passionate about expressing their creativity is truly fulfilling. I love being able to impart my knowledge, share my experiences, and provide valuable insights to help them flourish in their artistic journey. Seeing their talents blossom is truly inspirational. For me, it is a privilege to play a role in shaping the expansion of the creative community as a whole. The opportunity to support, encourage, and empower other creatives is something that I cherish deeply. It’s not just a side thing for me, but a passion that fuels my soul Even internally, watching my kid grow and fall in love with creative arts because of what they see me do is absolutely amazing! It’s incredible to witness their passion and creativity blossom right before my eyes, as they experiment with what they like and don’t like. Seeing them express themselves through acting, music, and writing is truly magical, and I can’t wait to see how their talents continue to develop over time. As a parent, there’s nothing quite like witnessing the growth and evolution of your child’s artistic abilities. My boys Beaux and Blaz are gifted well beyond their years and I am excited to support them on their journey of self-discovery and creative exploration.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My goal as the CEO and founder of E”Major Entertainment & Production is to create a platform where all creatives can truly shine. Imagine a platform where artists, musicians, writers, actors, and singers alike can come together to showcase their talents and collaborate without the feeling of competition or the crab in bucket mentality. My goal is not only to provide exposure for emerging talents but also to create those opportunities while fostering a sense of community and support among creatives from all backgrounds. My goal is to have the ability to connect with like-minded individuals and showcase their work to a global audience, and not just our “hometown crowd.” I am thrilled at the thought of being able to facilitate an environment where creativity knows no bounds and talent is celebrated in all its forms. My goal is to be more than a household name. I want my gifts and abilities to be used for world change.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OnlyEbrandia/
