Today we’d like to introduce you to Daryl Patrice.
Daryl, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I began doing improv in 2018 in my hometown of Miami, FL at the advice of a friend. I fell in love with it immediately, but noticed there wasn’t a lot of Black improvisers in the community. So I co-founded the first all-Black improv team in Miami and performed with them through the pandemic. When I moved to Atlanta it didn’t take me too long to find out the improv community, and soon I started jamming at different theaters such as Dynamic El Dorado, Bibliotech, and Dad’s Garage; I also became a founding member of a musical improv team, Measure Island. We’ve performed at the iO Fest in Chicago in 2024 and 2025. Easily one of the coolest experiences of my improv career!
However, as vast as the Atlanta improv scene is, I noticed once again that there weren’t a lot of opportunities to play with other black improvisers, so in order to carve spaces for improvisers like me, I created an all-Black girl group called The Betties, which inspired the creation of our male counterparts, Black Star. I also created the black improv show, “What Was Said?!” in April of 2023. It’s a love child of my two improv inspirations, Whose Line is It Anyway, and Wild ‘n’ Out. It’s been going strong for 2 years and it’s my pride and joy.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
If you really want to test your resolve, produce your own show!! The process of putting on a monthly show has really tested my attention to detail, business acumen and faith in my vision. I consider myself a “big picture person,” and I’m learning about the minutiae that it takes for things to run smoothly. I’m also learning the power of teamwork and how to delegate things so I don’t burn out so quickly. I’m a recovering Superwoman. Pray for me!!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I always consider myself as an actor before anything, but whether it’s singing, writing, rapping or doing improv, it’s all come from the love of storytelling. A lot of people say that a Jack of all trades is a master of none, but I have too many ideas, too many facets to pigeonhole myself. My gifts have created space for me in so many different rooms, one giving access to another. Acting gave way to singing and improv. Improv gave way to rapping with Soul Food Cypher, which has allowed me to lead summer camps, classrooms, and back onstage. Last year I was asked to be a featured performer -rapping AND acting- in a play at my alma mater, Spelman College. It’s a beautiful cycle and no turn is the same as the last. I’m only expanding from here!
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Move with intention.
Don’t take yourself too seriously.
Study the pros.
Don’t overthink things, or nothing will ever get done! Nothing moves if YOU don’t!
You can’t always strategize your way out of failure. Learn the lessons and press on.
On that same note: learn from others’ mistakes.
The best way to find your tribe is by being authentically YOU.
Keep your head up in every room you enter.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Darylpatriceacts
- Other: https://Instagram.com/whatwassaidimprov
Image Credits
Lola Scott
Soul Food Cypher
