Since far too often we only publicly say nice things about people when they are dead I’ve decided to randomly pick a Facebook friend every day and say something nice about them.
May 20, 2019
Today’s person: Tavia Percia!
First time I saw Tavia was in a show at African American Shakespeare Co. I think it was the Merry Wives of Windsor. And I thought “Wow, that young woman is really funny! And damn she’s smooth with the language.” And I assumed that I would be seeing her in a lot more plays at a lot of other theaters. But I didn’t.
The next time I saw Tavia was it was when we were cast together at African-American Shakespeare. She was the Miranda to my Prospero, and I could not have wished for a more generous, calm, and wonderful daughter. While I was vainly trying to figure out how to be all wise and magical and shit she was my magnificent admired Miranda. Those were my favorite scene by far, and I loved her that. And again I thought I’ll be seeing her at a lot of other theaters.
But no.
But the next time I saw her was when I directed her in “The Colored Museum” at - you guessed it - African-American Shakespeare! And she was everything from hilarious to touching to forceful and just so professional. Her warm smile and generous spirit brought so much and dammit I finally I asked her why am I not seeing you at other theaters? Why haven’t I seen you at the TBA regional auditions? Directors would be fighting over you? You’re that good!
But as much as she loves performing it seems like what she really wants to do is inspire and teach other, younger performers. So that’s what she does now, running a youth theater, helping kids that are now what she once was - an eager drama student wanting to express themselves to waiting world. But I really, really hope she keeps acting as she really is wonderful to watch, work with, and direct. She’s another one of those actors I’d like to win the lottery just so I could support, cast, and give as many people as possible the chance to watch and wonder at.