Limitless

Typecasting has always existed in my life in one way or another. There have been times where it has worked to my advantage and other time when it has been almost like a lingering dark cloud over my possibility of success.

In this business, it is an important factor in what we as artists do for a living. It determines our next job. However, women in general can sometimes be seen as something to label, and it drives me nuts. Which brought me to the question: Why do I continue allow myself to be confined to a position of being one thing? I ask this because I believe that women, or better yet all actors and their type have become severely damaged. The category, or box that I was put in when I first learned my type is getting smaller and smaller by the minute. Aside from being labeled at times, women in all mediums of acting are put on a timeline. Like spoiled food not being able to be of use for us once it is expired, Women are given an expiration date for when they aren't useful in this business anymore.

It was at age 15 that I discovered that I was in a different position than those around me when it came to my type. I knew I could never be the girl next door, the pretty ingenue, or the goofy best friend. At 15 it was embedded in my newly creative mind that there were certain roles that were off limits to me because of my skin color. I heard it from peers, as well as those who were in a position of power. And to me, that thought process became my new normal. I am one of two African American females in my Theatre department at my University. Which means for every audition, it is ingrained in me to assume that I need to work twice as hard to even be considered for a role in comparison to the girl next to me.

I truly believed that I was confined to only a tiny portion of roles that were offered to the average white female. I was deeply ashamed and horrified at the thought of me never having the same opportunity for roles in any medium (Television, Film, Stage). It didn’t make sense to me. I didn’t want it to be that way, yet I automatically accepted it, gave a sigh and thought “I guess that’s just the way things are.” Do you realize how often we think along those lines? Think of how many things we as a society don’t like: racism, sexism, classism, etc. Things that we want do away with, yet they are still cemented in our way of living. Many times we have the subliminal mind set of “That’s just the way it is”. And that, I’m afraid, is a powerless way of thinking. We are not helpless and powerless. it is imperative that women know that they are just the opposite: helpful and powerful.

It wasn't until my first round of auditions this past month that I realized that the tiny typecasting box that I am in is so small, claustrophobic, and at times debilitating because I am simply allowing it to be that way. WE, meaning those of us who feel confined to our type, are allowing it to be that way. So I say, expand that typecasting box, let it become huge! There is so much more that we as actresses are capable of. More than we could ever imagine, if we just allowed ourselves to believe it. As hippy dippy as it sounds gals, your thoughts and actions create your life.

If you believe you are just one thing, one label, then guess what? One thing, and one label is what you are. I do, however, encourage all women to be aware of their type. Get know what you are being labeled as. Become familiar with it so that you can get rid of that label all together and finally understand that we as female artists are beyond it. I challenge you to think of yourself as boundless, inexhaustible, undefinable. Why? because as actresses and on an even bigger scale, as women, we are limitless. What are your thoughts on typecasting and why? What are ways that you think the world of typecasting can be improved? please comment below and stay tuned for the next post which will be coming very soon!