DIDIHOOD ~ Issue 82

Happy International Women’s Month, Didis!

We have taken the time to unpack the results of our community engagement survey and hope we can continue to create in-person events for Didis to connect, network and socialize. Stay tuned for upcoming events and keep an eye out for our volunteer call-out.

Meet the Didi

This month we spoke to Michelle Mohammed, an artist, actor, and director based in Toronto. Michelle has worked on the upcoming production Mahabharata which plays in both Toronto and Ottawa this spring.

She is also an Associate Artist at Why Not Theatre.

Tell us more about your start in theatre, what inspired you to be on stage?

I was born a lover of the arts and literature. I was a voracious reader, and was singing, playing instruments, writing, and public speaking in school since the age of six. 

I started working in TV and film first, and quickly became obsessed with the medium, watching a lot of great films and actors I admired. At the time, I thought this would be nothing more than a hobby – I loved auditioning and being on set – but I was probably still going to be a journalist, lawyer or academic. 

In high school, I started taking drama classes, and had three incredible drama teachers. For four years, we created several original theatre pieces, trained in acting, improvisation, stagecraft, theatre making and theatre history, and I was quickly emerging naturally as both an actor and director in these processes.

Playing two roles in high school changed the game for me: Rosalind in As You Like It, and a mother who lost her child in the 1945 Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. Students and teachers from the school who I’d never spoken to before would come up to me in the hallways and classrooms and share how much my work as an actor impacted them.

Once I discovered the power of theatre and filmmaking, both in the process of making it and the process of sharing it, I think there was no going back.

Tell us more about your role in the upcoming Mahabharata production in Toronto. Why is it important for Canadians to see this story reimagined?

Everything Why Not Theatre touches is magic, and they are one of my favourite companies. I’ve worked on several workshops and readings for the development of Mahabharata as an actor and creative team member. This year, I don’t have a direct role on the project, but I am sure I will meet the work and process in some capacity when it comes back to Toronto for rehearsals.

There are many reasons why Canadians, and folks around the world (since the production has embarked on an international tour) should see this production of Mahabharata. From a strictly artistic point of view, it gives Canadians a chance to see the theatrical medium and stagecraft utilized to its fullest, most imaginative capacity. The production does an incredible job making the story accessible to all – audiences who are meeting the story for the first time, and audiences who have a deep and long love for it. If you grew up with it, you’ll experience the Mahabharata like you’ve never seen it before. 

As a brown woman, have you faced any barriers navigating your industry? If so, how did you overcome this?

This is a big question! But yes, I’ve definitely faced barriers along the way – and each barrier is different – sometimes it is another person, an external barrier, and sometimes it can be myself! 

Ultimately, I try not to let any barriers get in my way of being the artist I want to be. When met with barriers, I remind myself that I am likely dealing with fear – someone or something is operating based on fear, and I cannot let that thinking impact my work. I lean on the wisdom of myself and trusted loved ones to get me through. I try to deal with barriers with as much dignity and grace as I can, while advocating for myself and artistry. 

Overcoming every barrier, big or small, has made me a stronger person and better artist.

As an actor, what are some lessons you have learned along the way?

I’ve learned that acting, for me, is vocational. I act because I have an innate need to express myself and be in relationship with others, audiences and other artists, in this way. 

I’ve learned to have patience when it comes to my craft and that my artistry is a life-long endeavour. 

Acting has taught me so, so much. It reminds me to be present and continuously makes me a more empathetic, and better person. Acting allows me to express and reflect the most complex aspects of humanity to others – aspects that live within all of us.

What's your advice for Didis who want to work in the theatre space? What should they do first?

When I was younger and was called to explore acting and directing, I found every opportunity I could to practice it and try it – regardless of barriers, I found a way, because I was hungry to deepen my craft and curiosities about theatre and TV and film. I got an agent and started auditioning and getting on set. I went online and found every class that looked interesting to me and begged my parents to take them. I watched a lot of films, and I read a lot of plays and books on acting and directing – and I continue to do this. There are many ways to get started and start discovering why you have this itch to begin. Trust that itch. It’s calling you to something. 

At the same time, there is no linear path or trajectory in this work. Your path will be unique to you, and as you work and create, your why will continue to reveal itself to you if you just listen. 

Be fearless in your endeavours to advocate for your artistry and to develop your skills and craft. Continuously work on yourself to be the best artist and version of yourself you can be. Embolden yourself to be taken seriously as an artist in every space you work and create in, and continue to build yourself to have self respect and be brave. 

Never forget that you have a community of incredible loved ones behind you. In the highs and lows of this work, my close family and friends are everything. They keep me level-headed, allow me to be truthful and vulnerable, to stay focused on what matters, and to be true to myself as an artist and person – always. 

I’m also right behind you – so go get it, sister!

What we’re reading:

What we’re watching / listening to:

Fire in Delhi by BombayMami

— Arti Patel

Issue 82
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