What do you do in the artistic community? What’s your passion?

I’m mainly an actor. I love acting, that’s my main passion but I do journalism on the side, I’ve hosted a college radio show called Urban Zoo for two years now and I was a host on EGO (read more on EGO here) with the same show. I’ve produced a few things as well, so I guess I’m an actor, producer, and journalist/host.

How did you first get into acting?

A lot of people in my family have always done it and my dad got me into film training when I was seven so it’s always been something I’ve looked for. I was good at some sports but acting was definitely something I could take home.

What is your favourite role you’ve had?

As of late, my favourite role I’ve had was in a play called “E Day”. I got to meet Rachel Notley for it, it was about when she won the election. It was such a fun time, I got to work with a bunch of theatre people here in the city that I look up to, and it was back-to-back sold out shows, which was awesome. And my character ate so much, he was this laid back guy, doesn’t talk much and I was surrounded by all these edible props. I guess that would be my favourite, just sitting in a room full of people while everyone else is having a serious scene and my role was to just eat while watching them.

Who has been your inspiration when you were first starting acting, in high school, and now?

Jim Carrey was a huge inspiration when I was younger. In high school you tend to just like certain people because other people like them so I can’t say because that doesn’t really count. If I could put a finger on one I’d say Ashton Sanders, who played the teenage protagonist in Moonlight. Lately, I’d say Timothée Chalamet. I’ve been doing more film acting as of late and I really like his style of acting. I'd love to be like him or at least have his career.

Do you prefer acting on stage or on camera?

It’s hard to say but I think I prefer to do film, I prefer the process of it more. I feel like you have more time to screw around, mess up, and try different things than with theatre, which is really helpful. I think with the personality I have [theatre] doesn’t always work for me but it’s definitely more immersive because it’s full body and you have to push it to have that full immersive experience. For film, I love being there and taking time to figure out a shot as well. I think also it’s because I spent so much time in theatre when I was in school and I think if I did that with film it would be the other way around.

What advice would you give to young Black artists in Edmonton?

“People are starting to realise what it means to listen to a Black voice, so make sure they can hear you. That is the biggest thing.”

I’d say don’t ever be discouraged when you think “oh, there’s no one like me doing it”. That should encourage you more to put your name out there. Especially here in western Canada, there aren’t many of us so you should take advantage and put your name out there. Be the hero that you want to seek out. Going to Vic, there weren’t many older Black students I could look up to, I didn’t know many of them, or I would even be the older one. Instead of feeling like “maybe I can’t do this” it pushed me to go harder, to try and do lead roles. It feels good because I’ve met kids who have said they looked up to me and I had no idea. So, be the change that you want and don’t be quiet. Especially in our day and age. People are starting to realise what it means to listen to a Black voice, so make sure they can hear you. That is the biggest thing. And don’t worry about stereotypes or what other Black people are doing. Don’t think about how you’re going to be labelled, do it for you.

Do you have any upcoming projects for students to keep an eye out for?

Keep checking out the EGO interviews. Keep looking on my Instagram this summer if you’re someone interested in the arts and want experience working on sets, I will be looking for people for that.

Follow David on Instagram