Representing Other Cultures on Stage

Make it Sparkle Video with Venus Tyané
Actress, Director & Teaching Artist

4:53 (runtime)

Director’s Notes

In this segment, Venus discusses

• If you've chosen a show with a different cultural background than your own or the community you're in, first ask yourself what in the story speaks to you. Then consider your community - what they look like, their experiences and roots - and how they can see themselves in the story.

• Once you have that connection through human experience, you can round out the story with cultural elements.

• Draw from your students - the younger generations are very culturally aware and connected.

• As a team, you're much stronger than your ideas alone. Together, everyone - your students, actors, stage crew, etc - brings something that will make your show stronger.

About Venus

Venus Tyané studied Musical Theater in Berlin, Germany. She has worked as a performer for many US productions, including Nickelodeon and Stories that Soar! She has performed in various large productions internationally, from Friedrichstadtpalast to Jazzclub Neukölln. Venus-Tyané worked as the Musical Director for the performing arts school JMEM Berlin, and the subsequent touring production. She has toured throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Estonia, Czech Republic, India, South Korea and Japan. She has a passion for the arts and people’s stories as expressed through their various cultures and is dedicated to making a positive impact that has a world ripple effect.