relEASE physical theatre
sharisse
taylor

about me
Sharisse Taylor (Tink) is thrilled to be working on this wonderful project. Her credits include: Theater Alliance: Danielle in Dontrell Who Kissed The Sea; Synetic Theater: Ensemble in Much Ado About Nothing, Beast 4 in The Island of Doctor Moreau; Avalanche Theatre Company: Snyder in Dream Love, Ensemble in Apotheosis; DC Public Opera: Muse in Goethe-Lieder, Maid in Don Giovanni; Discovery Theater: Ensemble in Seasons Of Light 2013.
on growing up...
The first thing that comes to mind is innocence, but that's not always the case. Not everyone gets the privilege of innocence in childhood. I think it has more to do with hope, with dreams. Children have the amazing capacity to hope despite everything. To dream even if they are living a nightmare. That's where the beauty of childhood lies. That's why it can be so painful leave it behind.
on a personal note...
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Who do you play? Describe your character.
I play Tink. She tries to be a leader even though she's still practically a kid herself. She's struggling to parse through the harsh realities of the real world. (But she's awesome and basically a rockstar).
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What is your favorite part of this process?
Devising and being able to create a character. It's very rewarding.
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What is the hardest part of this process for you?
The hardest (and most exciting part) of this process is that so much happens in this production in such little time. It's a rollercoaster from beginning to end but in the best way possible.
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Why is this show important to you?
It deals with issues that are very current. Issues that I believe that people from many different walks of life will relate to. Hopefully this will prompt dialogue in our community.
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What is one thing you have learned from making this show?
There are two sides to every coin. No one person, or situation is straight forward or black and white.
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If you could stay any age forever, what age would you stay and why?
I'm currently 25 (soon to be 26). I've grown a lot and truly love who I have become so I have to say (out of all the ages I've been so far) I'd stay 25. But I hope when I turn 26, my answer will change to 26 and so and so forth. I hope that I never have the desire to stay stuck in my past.
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Was there ever a time when you were afraid for your life?
Yes. Always in situations that were beyond my control.
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What was your favorite bedtime story and why?
My parents didn't read me fairytales because they were too patriarchal. I do have fond memories of my mother reading biblical stories to me. Ester--who hid her true identity, married a king, and was able to bring justice to her people--was everything to me. A woman exacts her revenge through divine retribution? Yes please! (I don't believe my parents intended for that to be my takeaway however.)
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Why did you want to be a part of SOTM?
Three reasons: First, Tink is a dream role. Second, the group working on this piece is just amazing. And third is that this play covers topics that are very important to me as an individual and as an artist.
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If you feel you have privilege, have you ever used it in your favor? If so, for what?
I'd be remiss if I were to dismiss any notion that I am privileged in some ways. That would be very hypocritical of me. However I can honestly say I've never actively used my privilege because as a woman of color in America, I know what it's like to feel marginalized, disrespected, and flat out treated unjustly. I know what it's like to struggle so it's not in me to step on someone's back to prop myself up.