We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Vanessa Agnes. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Vanessa below.

Alright, Vanessa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

The moment it became clear to me that my future was in the arts was after a moment of major uncertainty. I was finishing my high school career, touring colleges and trying to figure out what I wanted to major in. Although I have been creative and artistic in general from a very young age and found my love for theater in elementary school, I felt a disconnect between what I had been doing for years as a passion/hobby and what I should be doing out in the “real world” as a profession. I had been performing in shows pretty much back to back and began to feel burnout for the first time. I took a break from auditioning for theater projects and made the decision to not pursue it as my focus in college. Over the course of that next year, I found something was deeply lacking in my life – The void stemmed from not studying theater, making connections with other artists or even considering making time for it on the side. It became increasingly clear that in order for me to find personal success, I needn’t shy away from what had been calling me from such a young age. It was time to accept that what I was passionate about could also be a way to support myself financially and nourish my soul. For a number of reasons, I decided to transfer schools and I completed a dual major in Theater Arts and Communication Studies. One of the first things I did upon arrival was find my tribe in the theater department and participate in a production; I was home! If I hadn’t taken that leap of faith, I’m not sure I would be a Director, an Artistic Director, or the artist I am today.

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

My name is Vanessa Brooke Agnes and I’m an artist, activist and born & raised Minnesotan! I’ve been involved in the performing arts and theater since childhood, and in adulthood I’ve found a passion for creating stories through writing, directing, and producing. During the summer of 2020, I founded a new arts nonprofit called Dark Muse Performing Arts, we offer spaces for BIPOC and Queer creatives to express and heal. We do this by amplifying their voices and giving them a platform to unapologetically tell their stories. I hope that in a time when darkness, hate and violence often dominates the news that we can provide an opportunity for community care and genuine, joyful connection. What I am most proud of when it comes to Dark Muse is that we are actively practicing our values of growing sustainably, building anti-oppressive systems, prioritizing rest and overall well being for our humans.

What I want people to know is that whether I am writing an email, a story/script or a grant for a drag show, I am striving to operate from a place of liberation and abundance. I dream of a better future for all of us and I’m actively working on that the best way I know how in my little corner of the world.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

My worth and my productivity are not linked. In our capitalist society, it’s a learned behavior that the harder you work, and the more you produce, the better you are – So naturally I became a workaholic, I wanted to be the best! (Recovering perfectionist and people pleaser.) I’ve had to reprogram in order to recognize that my value as a human and an artist is inherent regardless of what I produce on a day to day basis or even large scale what I achieve in my life. I have big goals and lots of ideas, but I’m a whole person and work isn’t everything. I try to prioritize myself and give my body the rest it needs to live sustainably and in balance.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I’ve battled with anxiety and depression for many years and at one particularly difficult point in my life, I was juggling four jobs and taking a class. It t was a huge strain on my mental health but I needed the money to make ends meet and the experience so I could grow in my field. While I was suffering from extreme burnout and experiencing a mental health crisis, I was also planning a Black HERstory event. It highlighted all the hurdles and obstacles Black women in our society have had to go through and that even in the face of so much adversity, they persevered and have made some of the biggest impacts in nearly every field that affects our lives today. After hiring a cast of all Black women and non-binary folx, watching them vulnerably tell their stories and the stories of these magnificent women throughout history, I felt revitalized. My ancestors fought many battles and overcame the internal and external demons that constantly tried to hold them down and they still sang and danced and loved – it’s the reason I’m here today and it’s why I now get to sing and dance and love. The resilience of all the Black women who came before me, whose shoulders I stand on, gave me the medicine I needed to keep going. I live and create joyfully in their name.

Contact Info:

• Website: darkmusearts.org
• Instagram: @vanessabrookeagnes & @darkmusearts
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/vanessabrookeagnes
• Youtube: youtube.com/@darkmusearts

Image Credits
Garrett Kling, Martha Juarez