We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jaime Cepero . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jaime Cepero below.
Hi Jaime Cepero , thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
While I’ve been a part of some fantastic work in my career I’m currently working on a musical piece I’ve been writing about the Haitan Revolution of 1791-1804 that has been my passion for the past 6 years. The haitan revolution was the first successful slave rebellion against France which resulted in the first independent black country in the America’s – the nation of Haiti. It would subsequently become the catalyst for the ending of organized slavery worldwide, and a beacon of hope to black and indigenous people everywhere. Currently I am in residency at the Tony award winning Public Theater, where I have been developing the piece further. Working on this project has done so much for me not only artistically – but spiritually. I feel a deep sense of connection to my roots in the carribean diaspora, and a great pride in honoring these heros and telling this story. I’m often told it is an ambitious project, and while it has been an uphill climb to birth it into the world, nothing is more ambitious than freeing oneself from the shackles of slavery and creating your own country. I find it right in line with the passion and spirit of my ancestors.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I grew up in the Boston area and was always drawn towards the artistic sphere. I spent a lot of my early career doing theater at equity theaters in Boston, eventually receiving my union card and moving to New York, where after several months of pounding the pavement I got an agent and even to ally was cast on a network television show on NBC called “Smash” which opened incredible doors for me. The experience was rather complicated – both from my personal experience working as an actor on the show juxtaposed with my personal life where I had been diagnosed with some acute health issues at the same time. It was my first big job while at the same time my first brush with any kind of serious life altering health concerns. At the time I wasn’t sure how I’d get through it – but when I look back now, Moving through that experience really helped me become the person I am today. It gave me a sense of purpose and value to each moment in my life as a chance to affect the world and others who look like me. I’ve made it my duty since then to use my gifts and talents as tools for change. We are living in such interesting times and we all have a role to play in them. I can only hope my contributions can help someone else coming up behind me – and both comfort and make it easier for afrolatino queer and non-binary artists and humans like myself.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Post pandemic – the artistic world has been struggling to stay afloat. I see it everywhere, from lack of funding to lack of opportunities. Especially for those from black, Indiginous, and queer spectrums. There is no rule book to how we do this – but my advice to folks who want to support the arts and artists alike – is to show up. Support can look like many things: whether monetary, press related, or simply making a repost on Instagram. The key is to be active in your community by making yourself familiar with trustworthy institutions and voices in your escrow. Connection is a large part of that. Support is a large part of that. Be the person you want to see projected into the world. Speak the language you want to see reflected into the world. We have more power than we think as a collective. There is great strength and value in community. Support your local artists in the best way that’s accessible to you.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
As an artist I spent a lot of time in my early career trying to fit into a mold in the industry that I felt would make me successful. I spent a long time trying to look, sound, and write in ways that were “mainstream” or popular – because it’s what we are taught in many creative institutions – and it’s what we often see rewarded in creative circles. What I’ve found as I’ve gotten older is that none of that is true. The things about you that make you unique are the things you must bring forward. Unlearning these ideas is an ongoing process – but I can say today that I’ve never felt more powerful or in the zone than when I am expressing myself naturally and from a place of honesty. When I am completely myself – I see the most success. My advice? Get to know exactly who you are. Be exactly who you are. Love who exactly you are. The thing you seek is always seeking you. If you are spending your time pretending to be someone else, then it will always have trouble finding its way to you.
Contact Info:
- Website: Linktr.ee/papimagic
- Instagram: @papimagic
Image Credits
Danny Hidalgo, Red Inkk Photography