Struggles and Revelations of a Black Actress in the Professional Circuit
Award-winning actress Michelle Hopewell speaks candidly about the unique challenges she encounters as a black performer in the world of theatre. After a promising start at drama school, Hopewell soon realized that her journey would be filled with additional hurdles due to the narrow standards of beauty and talent in the industry.
In an industry that often equates light skin, slim bodies, and westernized features with talent and intriguing narratives, Hopewell finds herself ostracized – not because of any fault of her own, but because she does not conform to these standards. Beyond casting decisions, Hopewell also experienced moments of isolation due to a lack of knowledge and understanding about people of color among her peers and colleagues.
In an interview with a leading theatre publication, Hopewell stated, "There is still insensitivity when it comes to blackness or otherness in theatre. As someone with first-hand experience, it's about time that we speak up about it." Despite her success in securing employment and working professionally before completing her training, Hopewell continues to face microaggressions and extra considerations based solely on her race.
Be it being instructed to play "urban" roles or explaining the unique requirements of Afro hair versus European hair, minority performers are all too familiar with these recurrent challenges. Landing a role is usually a joyous moment, but for Hopewell and others like her, it is also accompanied by a host of fears and concerns that their white colleagues may never have to contemplate.
Concerns such as whether she will be the only minority in the cast, if she needs to worry about her makeup and hair, and if the lighting might cause issues are frequent worries for Hopewell. As a black actress, she finds herself constantly on her guard, especially while working in environments where she is the only minority or possibly targeted for abuse.
currently working on a production touring the country, Hopewell notes the stark contrast between her experiences and those of her white counterparts. In towns that are not exposed to many people of color, she often feels self-conscious and vulnerable. While her white colleagues enjoy the freedom to explore picturesque towns without a care, Hopewell is often on high alert, concerned about her safety and comfort.
Hopewell aspires to shine brightly on stage, without fear of repercussions. She believes it is essential that theatre, an industry dear to her heart, becomes more diverse and inclusive, allowing performers of all races, ages, body types, genders, and ethnicities to participate and thrive equally. By sharing her experiences and stories, Hopewell hopes to create change and inspire others to do the same.
While the theatre industry has made strides in promoting diversity and inclusion, there is still much work to be done. Efforts such as increasing diversity in casting, amplifying Black voices through organizations and podcasts, advocating for systemic change, and providing more classical theatre training opportunities for Black performers will help bring about the much-needed transformation.
- Michelle Hopewell, an award-winning actress, discusses the unique obstacles she encounters as a black performer in the theater world.
- Beyond casting decisions, Hopewell mentions the lack of knowledge and understanding about people of color among her peers and colleagues as a source of isolation.
- In an industry that often equates westernized features with talent, Hopewell finds herself ostracized due to not conforming to these standards.
- Hopewell continues to face microaggressions and extra considerations based solely on her race, despite her success in securing employment.
- Minority performers, like Hopewell, are all too familiar with recurrent challenges such as being instructed to play "urban" roles or explaining the unique requirements of Afro hair versus European hair.
- Hopewell's concerns, such as whether she will be the only minority in the cast, if she needs to worry about her makeup and hair, and if the lighting might cause issues, are frequent worries for her.
- While on a production touring the country, Hopewell notes the stark contrast between her experiences and those of her white counterparts, especially in towns that are not exposed to many people of color.
- Hopewell aspires for a more diverse and inclusive theater industry, where performers of all races, ages, body types, genders, and ethnicities can participate and thrive equally.
