Today we’d like to introduce you to Terrace Wyatt, Jr.
Hi Terrace, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Born in Overland Park, KS then my life began in Kansas City, MO I didn’t care about what I wanted in my life other than Chef Boyarde and good cartoons to binge, of course, that was my childhood mood! I started acting in middle school – trying new things even though I felt uncontrollable energy in me soon as I stepped foot on stage; the rest is history.
While living my introverted teen life, my high school couldn’t afford a theatre department till suddenly I was the reason they started in my Senior year from performing locally in Kansas City MO, and KS (YES, there’s a difference between the two.)
Musicals to plays. Plays to short films. Short films to writing got my gears turning crazy for more. Four years of studying and receiving a B.F.A. in Theatre at William Jewell College (Liberty, MO) my bucket lists in the process zone since the lockdown/graduation in 2020.
Actor and playwright/screenwriter are my top priorities that’ll lead towards running my own entertainment company in Kansas City and cooperating with other brands nationwide for as Tyler Perry Studios, Netflix, Broadway, Rolling Loud, Paramount, NBC; SNL, etc.
Right now at this very moment, been busy with acting, NON-STOP, while still brainstorming my brand without trying so hard not to rush the process of an upcoming black excellent empire!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Despite 2020, everything’s stopped. Lockdowns, virtual classes, couldn’t aim for your dream jobs at the time; wasn’t sure how long the Rona was gonna last. But during the lockdown was official when I want my own empire soon as the virus is barely a thing to this day – adding on top of other stupid viruses… whatever, ain’t stopping my path to success for the sake of my family and myself.
Showbusiness was born to challenge whether you think you can handle it or at least try. Working back to back doing plays, musicals, commercials, and short films, this has been my full-time job so far since last fall when the theatre business reopened.
Working on my writing for the stage and screen and want to share it with the world asap, problem is I’m not a fast writer like Tyler Perry (my spirit animal) I’m a very patient and cautious creator when it comes to spilling the tea.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
For acting at a younger age I didn’t understand the idea of “ensemble” I thought it was nothing in theatre; not talented nor worth being heard but fills up the casting size but as I grew and learn and understood theatre in general, ensembles is not a horrible position, it is one of the best uncontrollable position in the arts because if your role isn’t specified in the script, you make it specific.
To this day I’d rather play in the ensemble bubble versus a lead/support role – that I also enjoyed. No matter what role you get after a nerve-racking audition and callbacks theatre is an ensemble art form.
As a writer, that became a little hobby-ish in high school till college after watching a senior capstone performance my freshman year, a light bulb appeared. Senior year of college I wrote my first full-length one-person play. “Mel ‘N E [Melanin & Educated] – that I passed – tells about a student at a predominantly white school presenting his capstone project about the meaning of melanin.
Recently another play of mine, “Black Man, MO” was a workshop through Kansas City Public Theatre; a staged reading of a one-act play about the ongoing violence and a Mother’s point of view in Kansas City in the black community – still in development at this time. Looking back so far, I’ve been keeping myself busy but obviously, I’m just getting started, aiming to get to where I need to before my 30s. Now I’m 24.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Mainly supporters such as my family and friends who’ve believed in me since day one. My inspirations to keep building the business I desire are Tyler Perry, Chris Brown, and Beyonce.
Those three are examples of never giving up and keeping the dream into a reality, YOUR reality as long as you can. Whether you’re a triple-threat performer, a Black-Hollywood mogul, or a mega-billionaire entrepreneur, DON’T STOP THE GRIND.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @terracewyatt.jr
- Facebook: @Terrace Wyatt, Jr.
Image Credits
Valerie Chamberlain, Ms. Rebecca, and Timothy Boykin
