Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsey Alexandria.
Kelsey, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in Stone Mountain, GA raised by my amazing single mother and other influential black women she surrounded herself with. I was always preaching about civil rights and love of community, even as a kid, so I was in trouble often for “talking back” when we argued about politics. My mom called me “Rainbow Bright” and always said I couldn’t leave the house without giving black women at least three compliments (the irony in me later becoming a gay artist)!
At the time, I felt my calling in music and dance but was raised by women in healthcare and education so I thought of those things as activities. I have a very nurturing personality and am intuitive when it comes to people so I thought I could best help my community through psychology. I knew I wanted to uplift black minds and souls, so that is where I focused it. I finished my four years of high school by my 2nd year at DeKalb Early College Academy and began finding my love for forensic psychology at Georgia Perimeter College (Georgia State). I always had a big personality, so the arts started to be suggested to me as a “side hustle.”
It wasn’t until I went to my undergrad GSU (southern not state honey) and took a theatre class that I realized this is what I had been looking for. I looked around that room and there was only one of… me. Everyone like me reading this will get that! Black, queer, woman. I finally started being cast as the lead and realized even then, you aren’t treated equally. I got into directing both film and theatre and saw the disparities of that as a younger black woman leading the charge. My final straw was arguing with a white costume designer about whether or not slaves wore shoes (they did by the way).
So I started my own company. Why sit somewhere they don’t want you when you can build your own table and invite others to it! BlackOUT began as a doodle in my high school notebook, I had no idea what it would be besides a logo drawing… then it became an RnB album I wrote in my spare time, and now it’s my first love. The BlackOUT Company is a response to the lack of inclusivity, safe spaces, and creative opportunity for black, queer, indigenous, and other underrepresented voices in theatre and film. I have worked as a teacher in professional theatres, regional theatres, public and private schools. I have been a freelance choreographer, cinematographer and editor, and a nanny. I’ve enjoyed all of those jobs, but this year is the first year I’ve been able to focus on my passion.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Internally, the road has been smooth. I am a very intuitive person and I follow that intuition with every step. When I say I’m going to do something, it always gets done! I have also been lucky enough to only need validation from myself. This comes from people not believing in my vision many times over, so now I work harder for myself.
My challenges have been external. A huge one is the lack of opportunities for someone like me, and even when I get in the room, there can be so many day-to-day challenges. Imagine securing the lead in your favorite childhood musical, opposite a white woman, and watching as you and every other black actor have to do their own hair/makeup while the white actors have assigned assistants. Being told to “Play the part blacker! You know, be yourself!”. Directing a show centered around slavery only to have most of your budget spent on costuming the one white woman in the show. Being a lesbian singer/rapper that writes about your own experiences, but because you look feminine, it’s not as accepted. I can go on and on.
I have also had the issue of people not believing in me until they see what I can do. My vision for BlackOUT is very clear and purposeful, and I need people around me with the same passion and love for telling these stories- so that I don’t go into superwoman mode and take it all on myself.
The BlackOUT Company – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The BlackOUT Company is a creative hub specifically intended for underrepresented voices to create through theatre, film, music, dance, education, and business. The difference is that it’s more than art for us. BlackOUT is known for inclusively uplifting and representing artists (especially up and comers) on the stage, charity and activism, and being a champion for black businesses both within and outside of the company. We believe that media changes the world. Our company has a clear standing politically and artistically and we aren’t afraid to stand in our blackness in all shades and our queerness in all colors.
I have been working on solidifying BlackOUT for a few years but this year has been crazy. I finally decided to get the LLC literally one week before the pandemic. I went through a short depression, feeling like all of my hard work and planning was wasted. Then I remembered my motto. Make It Happen. So we changed course and created The BlackOUT Block Party: a drive-in concert charity event with up and coming artists and small black businesses as vendors. We put it together in less than two months with many, many challenges along the way during the pandemic, and still succeeded. I know, but even more importantly, EVERYONE knows now that we can do anything.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I have a vision of black women being at the top of every industry. That is what I’m working for every day in the grand scheme. On a personal note, I just want to top myself every day. Every project should be better than the last. I work like I ran track… I don’t look behind me or to the side of me. I only look at the finish line and run, honey! Meaning that I can’t compare my success to anything/anyone. I have already succeeded by retaining my mental health while fighting in this BLM revolution and starting my own business! I have goals for myself and for BlackOUT, but this pandemic has taught me to take them one goal at a time. It feels more satisfying that way.
Pricing:
- You can still watch The BlackOUT Block Party virtually for only $7
- Music Video or Commercial Production starting at $200
- Choreography/Dance Classes starting at $50
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thebocompany.com
- Phone: 4046832791
- Email: bocothecompany@gmail.com boco.casting@gmail.com
- Instagram: @Theblackoutcompany @kelseyalexandy
- Twitter: @theblackoutco
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