Canadian comedian and award-winning playwright Trey Anthony is bringing her play, da Kink in My Hair, to Atlanta Sept. 6-8, 2013. Here, she shares her inspiration for the production of how she landed a star-studded cast of Melanie Fiona, Angie Stone and Terri J. Vaughn.
What was your inspiration for this production?
I was disappointed with and tired of seeing black women take on stereotypical roles: crack heads, on welfare and woman with the bad attitude. I found that the characters and roles were not addressing us fully. I knew there had to be much more for black women. I knew we were not getting great roles. I decided that I wanted to see black women playing well-rounded characters, people who are relatable and have layers. I wanted to show stories about love and relationships and be very authentic. I wanted to see a black woman on stage shown in the most real and the best manner possible.
How did you end up with a star-studded cast?
God. Melanie Fiona is Canadian and she saw the production at the Prince of Wales Theatre, which is our commercial theater in Canada, a few years ago. Her entire family saw the piece. I knew a few people who moved in her circle, made a few phone calls, and told them I wanted Melanie to be a part of this cast and for them to give her a call. She said she definitely wanted the piece and she was so excited.
My business partner and co-producer, Shannon Nash, also has a business relationship with Terri J. Vaughn. Terri asked to see a copy of the script … she said she wanted to be a part of it. Terri is good friends with Angie [Stone] and asked if I would consider talking with Angie. It’s one of those things where everyone loved the work.
In this industry, when you have quality writing and roles, people want to be a part. The play sold itself.
How did you come up with the title?
Da Kink in My Hair is from one of the first monologues that I wrote, titled “I Have a Kink in My Hair.” When I was looking into the mirror and doing self-reflection, I realized that the kink in our hair is something that we feel we need to iron out or fix. I thought, “What if I embrace the kink?”
Also, I wanted a title that black women could connect and identify with. All of us have a kink in our hair on some level or degree in the form of a wave, curl or kinkiness.
What do you want audience members to walk away with after seeing Da Kink in My Hair?
A sense of self-love and a sense of pride … there is a kinship that happens with people who’ve seen the play. It’s a play that speaks to women, because it is their story. It is a movement.
Follow them on Twitter: @daKinkinmyHair and visit them on https://www.dakinkinmyhair.com
