Check Out Dwayne P. Mitchell’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dwayne P. Mitchell.

Hi Dwayne P., we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Born and raised in Atlanta, GA. For as long as I can remember I’ve always had a passion for singing and dancing; from putting on “shows” in the living room of my childhood home for my family, to performing along to movie musicals and my favorite awards shows on TV. As funny as that may sound, It’s such a beautiful thing to look back on, because these moments were the seeds planted for me to be where I am today. Growing up, each chance I had to participate in the performing arts was an opportunity of a lifetime, because having a consistent routine of training, dance, or singing lessons was not financially feasible for my family. My theatrical world began to change around my sophomore year of High School when my theatre teacher, Ms, Lisa Bell, saw something in me and entered me into the August Wilson Monologue competition in Atlanta. I was able to be surrounded by so many young, gifted, artists of color who had so much to share to the world. This began my journey towards a career in theatre arts.

In 2014, I took a leap of faith and left my single-mother house hold, siblings, and moved from Atlanta to Nashville to become first in my family to begin my journey as a college student at the Historically Black University, Fisk University.

While attending Fisk University I had the incredible opportunity to expand my training as a professional performer, as an activist for artists of color, and as a member of the Fisk Jubilee Singers. This opportunity allowed me to experience so many incredible things like being able traveling internationally for the first time, being a Grammy award-winning ensemble member on the GRAMMY® winning Album: CELEBRATING FISK —winning the 2020 GRAMMY award for “Best Roots Gospel Album”; and being able to perform background with incredible artists like India Arie, Mariah Carey, Keith Urban, and CeCe Winans. It was extremely mind-blowing to me to see first hand how a young black kid from Atlanta with a dream could be afforded so many opportunities. Then it dawned on me, the word opportunity. Opportunity is defined as “a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.” So I began to work even harder, not only for myself but to get to a place where I can continue to create space and opportunity for other young black and brown artists to dream their “impossible dream”. This became my “Why”.

After obtaining my B.A. in Vocal Performance in Spring of 2018, I would further continue my education that fall in the Graduate Program for Musical Theatre at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. It was quite the culture shock going from a Historically Black Institution to being the only black person my graduate class at the conservatory; however, this served as a reminder that their is still so much more work to be done to create space and opportunity. All of life’s experiences makes us who we are– the same grit that I learned as a young kid in Atlanta is the same grit that pushed me through my undergraduate program, and that same grit I learned at Fisk, was what helped me push to obtain my Master of Fine Arts in Musical.

Today I am blessed to say that I am a full time professional theatre artist and now working on my second Broadway National Tour, “Back To The Future: The Musical” and previously seen in the First National Broadway tour of ‘Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations”. On and off the stage, I continue to use my platform to advocate for diversity, inclusion, and bridging opportunity gaps for black artists and artists of color in the performing arts.

I share my story not for any praise but in hopes to inspire others. As I look back I am proud to be a product of the city of Atlanta, because that is where it all began for me. I pray that my work will not only continue to open doors for me, but those who share my same journey and dreams.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We all have challenges, and our struggles will sometimes be different from the person next to us. What I am grateful for is the constant reminder of how we respond to those obstacles.

In 2020, I received my M.F.A. in Musical Theatre from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee months into the world shutting down completely and like mostly everyone, I was stuck, confused, scared, and frustrated. Ive said this before, but although it was extremely scary and frustrating moment in life, this pause gave the whole world time to reflect and really ask ourselves what things really become important to us, when you lose everything. When you lose everything you have nothing more to lose, and when you have nothing to lose, you have everything to gain, This became my mindset post-pandemic. I was even more determined.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a professional actor currently touring on the First National Broadway Tour of “Back To The Future: The Musical” , and was previously seen in the First National Broadway Tour of “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations.”

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
For me, pouring into young artists and creators of color is important, and giving the upcoming generations space to create and share stories without limits. This is important to me because for so long in my industry certain stories and standards have been the blueprint on what is deemed “acceptable” or a ‘masterpiece’. Art is a reflection of life, and there are so many stories to tell that have not been given the forefront. When we create space and opportunity on and off the stage, it is then that we can begin to develop a more inclusive industry, which will in return inspire audiences to go out into the world and do the same.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dwaynepmitchell.com
• Instagram: @dwaynepmitchell
• Twitter: @dwaynepmitchell
• Other: https://www.backtothefuturemusical.com/northamerica/

Image Credits
Julianna McGuirl Photography DollfacestudiosNY