Interview: Erica Sutherlin

Tonight, July 18th, Tampa Bay is in for a performance treat. Local actress, playright, poet and director Erica Sutherlin is presenting her one-woman showcase “Manifesting Soul” at the Historic Royal Theater in Midtown St. Petersburg.

The debut showcase and album is a compilation of life inspired material reflecting the experiences, observations and call to self awareness Erica has perceived in her life and the lives of others. Produced by Erica C. Sutherlin and co- produced by Cranstan Cumberbatch, Josh Matthews and the Pinellas County Cultural Affairs, this showcase is a journey through ear caressing melodies and contemplative lyrics searching for love, truth, enlightenment, and goodness in this world of chaos and confusion. Erica’s poetic flow and delivery is un-paralleled, her energy is raw and awe striking to the likeness of a controlled explosion.

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Erica on her work. Here is that interview:

1. You’re an actress, playwright, poet and director. Of all of these facets of entertainment, what’s your favorite part to play and why?

Once i would have said performance, but as i grow, i realize that i’m not just one particular part of art…i am all, they create and are a part of me. you don’t have to choose just one, even though everyone wants you to choose one. it’s not that I’m a jack of all trades and a master of none, my degree is in performance. the majority of my work is in performance but we grow and evolve, right? i see the world differently now, i want to experience it differently and put my touch on it. so, i am all of those disciplines, equally.

2. You’ve played notable characters in a number of performances, including Shakespeare’s Macbeth. What’s your most memorable character and why?

I would have to say the character i’m playing now, Mrs.  Muller (the black mother) in doubt. most people know this play because it was commission for a screenplay and won numerous awards, especially the mother. however, it was a stage play first, which also won numerous awards. this particular character is so complex, yet human. at first, you want to hate her, but you realize the passion she has for her son. she’s so multi-leveled, deep even, but aren’t we all?

3. How would you describe your poetry and it’s message? Do you stick with a set theme or have you grown and changed as a poet over the years?

Life in rhythm. my poetry/songs are intended to enlighten, they should be a reflection of tangibility, something you can take with you, on the inside. regardless of your gender, you should be able to understand or relate to the message (which is hope, self love/preservation, spiritual enlightenment, awareness of the world around you, the love of others or another). i have grown as a writer, my themes are continual and fluid. i write about what is present within me or around me during that moment/time. i do not enjoy writing hate poems, so i try to approach the piece/subject from a different angle.

4. You’re directing both Amen Corner and Fame in the coming year. What do you hope to bring to a well known production like Fame?

The Amen Corner is on hold but Fame…i really would like to have fun with it. i am the musical theater performance teacher for pinellas county center for the arts and i thought it would be fun to produce a show that’s very dance heavy and fun. most people feel like the script isn’t strong, however, i believe if my students can take something not as complex as Sweeney Todd or Rent and blow it out of the box…then i would feel that they are ready for more challenging material. besides, everybody our age or older remembers Fame, the movie..though its different.

5. Since moving to St. Petersburg, what have you seen change in the local entertainment industry? Are there good things coming from others putting on plays and performing poetry? If so, who?

Since moving here I’ve had to adjust quite a bit, the scene is smaller, the circles are tightly woven and being an out-of-towner isn’t necessarily the best thing. however, slowly i’m breaking circles and creating a space for me and my art. there’s tons of good things coming from other artist across the board (visual and performance). in the performance world, Aleshea Harris is gearing up for her one-woman show, Lavaland production is doing some cool things, Amazncran Creative Works is lining up some interesting shows for this upcoming year. there’s great work/art coming out of the american stage, studio 620, free fall theater, local artists are making a move! as Aleshea and i like to proclaim, “we preparing for the takeover”! Venus Jones, Life, Poetic Collage are doing great things in the Tampa Bay area.  I could go on on, cause that’s just a slice of performance and we haven’t even touched music, visual or dance.

6. Manifesting Soul, your debut album, is a collection of your reflections on life. Who is your target audience and how do you hope it will be received?

I would love to say everyone is my target audience because that’s what my heart and god desire. my art is not designed to tear anyone down, rather to open them up to themselves, discover something new or unexplored within the universe and self. it’s meant to cause you to fall in love over and over again, even if it’s with yourself or others because we are spiritual beings on earth having a human experience. i pray that it will be well received and understood.

7. When you’re doing a poetry presentation, how would you describe your delivery? Do you have a certain tone or presentation that you use throughout your performances?

My delivery is different…i cannot describe it…a friend of mine describes me as a “controlled explosion”. it is my background in performance that gives me an edge. my approach is to pull you into this world i am creating and follow me on this journey.

8. Who are your influences in each of your disciplines?

God. god told me to watch everybody, everything and learn. life is my influence, but if i have to name them, here are a few…spike lee (filmmaking)-i dig his willingness to be different, edgy and opinionated. bill grivna (directing stage)-he taught me to see the world of the play, paint its emotions on stage. thomasina clarke, alfred woodard and whoopi goldberg (acting)-they taught me that being different is beautiful, being a woman is powerful and words are nothing without breath. langston hughes, amiri baraka, emily dickenson, nikki giovanni, sonia sanchez (writing)-taught me that breath is nothing without words to give it sound.

9. Where do you see yourself and your performances in a year? 5 years? 10 years?

My goals are to receive my MFA in filmmaking in the next couple of years, use my production company to produce works that compliment my mission and vision, possibly teach at the college level.

10. Are there any other poets or performers that you enjoy working with in the bay area? If so, who and what have you worked on with them?

I’ve had the honor to work with numerous bay area artists on a number of different art mediums and i would work with them again in a heart beat. i am looking forward to working with other local artists.

Erica’s show tonight will be a fun experience, and at only $15 is a real bargain. I encourage everyone to check out her production of Manifesting Soul tonight at the Royal Theatre in Midtown St. Pete.

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