Meet Darnell Pierre Benjamin | Multidisciplinary Artist and Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Darnell Pierre Benjamin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Darnell Pierre, what’s your definition for success?
I think about success a great deal–maybe more than I should. However, I don’t believe I think of it the same way most do. Working in theatre is complicated. People have to actually make the trip to see our shows, most of the time. In film, however, our work is more readily available at the convenience of our viewers. So, there can seem to be a great deal more visibility in film. I grew up in the world of theatre with the overwhelming belief that success is determined by living in one of the more obvious cities, like L.A. or New York. Success was always defined by making it on Broadway or being in major motion pictures. It was in undergrad that I realized Broadway wasn’t my idea of success; it didn’t make sense to make it only about me. I noticed how people came to the theatre, and then left with a changed energy. By the time I started working professionally, it became very clear to me that the change in energy of patrons after seeing a show could be cultivated towards continued evolution. I started to realize the power of the work, and how it could palpably change people’s worldview, mood, and life trajectory. It all comes down to community engagement and building. Ultimately, my perspective on success in theatre became tied to how it actually affected the audience and the creatives involved. So when I think of what success in theatre means today, I think of it in terms of community impact: Are people chatting about the experience? What’s the overall mood after the performance? And in time, are people still talking about the show? Also, how has that show impacted the audience’s expectations? For me, success in theatre is directly tied to positively changing my communities for the better…because our audiences have to become our communities in order to sustain this work beyond singular contributions. Success in theatre comes from having an audience tomorrow, in the next decade, and in the next century; and that’s only doable if there is an investment in the audience as community.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I got into the arts almost by accident. In high school, I was terribly shy…but had an ache to create. I finally got over my fear and enrolled in a speech class, and that changed everything. Initially, grades motivated me to get better. I was a student who was always on the honor roll, and my first speech got me a C. I was devastated. By the time I was ready to go to college, I made a last minute decision to change my major from psychology to performing arts. Since then, I’ve made a career being a freelance theatre and film artist. My perspective sets me apart from others, because I didn’t enter this work wanting to be the center of attention. I entered as an intellectual. I entered as an empath deeply interested in changing the world around me for the better. At the beginning of my career, I didn’t know the phrase “community building”, but that’s always been my interest. I create art with the intention of affecting my communities for the better. It was this developing realization that moved me from performing to directing and creating choreography more. I believe that if a person wants to see a certain change, maybe that change starts with that person. I wanted to see more Black queer representation in leadership…so, I started to do it. I’ve been a part of some things in which I’m incredibly proud…but it’s always been because of impact. In a world taken over by social media, it’s very easy to get lost in the work. It’s easy to lose track of intention. It’s also easy to lose yourself in the process of trying to “make it”. I’m most proud of holding onto myself in this very challenging career. I’m proud that I’ve managed to stay true to myself up to this point. Over the past five and a half years, I’ve put a great deal of focus on acknowledging trauma and carving the path to healing–not just for me, but for all. In 2018, I had an acute ischemic stroke. I had none of the usual contributing factors, and after six months of testing I was finally diagnosed with Antiphospholipid Syndrome. It just means that there’s an antibody in my blood that causes it to congeal, or thicken. This changed a lot for me. I suddenly realized that so much is out of our control, and it inspired me to take control of what I could. As both an educator and arts leader, I began to keep play and community at the forefront of everything I do. I work in a way that encourages collaboration and vulnerability. I remind people that we aren’t machines, and it’s OK to not always be “on.” I enter work spaces with gratitude, and I never leave my humanity at the door. My hope is that it inspires others to do the same. Theatre is a strange thing. For a long time, artists were strongly encouraged to leave their baggage at the door, but time has taught me and many others that that’s not an option. What I want people to know most about who I am as an artist is that I have plans to help change the landscape of HOW we do theatre and HOW we care for our artists. And it starts with community.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’ve grown to LOVE Cincinnati. I moved here in 2009 with no intention of staying; and unfortunately, my initial arrival was not a positive experience. But since then, I’ve really found a kind of home here. If a friend were visiting for the week, here’s what we’d do:

Monday: We’d explore all of the staples–Carew Tower, Washington Park, Fountain Square, Union Terminal, etc. It would be a heavy day of walking. Lunch at Taqueria Mercado on 8th, dinner at Condado’s at The Banks.

Tuesday: Coffee shop hang to connect w/ community as people come in and out–I’d choose both Coffee Emporium and blaCk Coffee Lounge. Check out the zoo! Lunch at The Arepa Place, dinner at Soul Secrets

Wednesday: Explore Northside and Clifton areas. Lunch at Melt Revival, dinner at The Littlefield. Know Theatre for Welcome Wed. Maybe jazz at Ghost Baby.

Thursday: Explore NKY. Lunch at Otto’s, dinner at Sotto. Maybe see a show at Cincy Shakespeare Company. Somerset for drinks.

Friday: Museum day, starting with the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Lunch at Gomez, dinner at Mita’s. Maybe see a show at Ensemble Theatre. Drinks and karaoke with friends at Tokyo Kitty.

Saturday: Look into any festivals or events. This would be the “friend choice day”. I’d ask the friend what they want to do, and then I’d find places that match. And same applies with food; I’d see what they want to eat and find the appropriate place.

Sunday: Candle-making at The Candle Lab and snatching up some memorabilia. I’d save the last day for the Cincinnati chili craze.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Oof! I could shoutout so many people who have been major parts of my evolution. In a large way, it was educators who opened my mind to possibilities. Growing up in a small town overwhelmed by crime and poverty didn’t help with perspective. But I was a dedicated student. Education and reading were like balms to my pained imagination…and it was an educator who helped me find my way. First, I’ll thank my high school drama teacher, Ms. Margaret Musemeche, who encouraged me to lean further into my interest in the arts. She was also smart enough to initially (lightly) discourage me to pursue theatre seriously. I mean, can you blame her? Then, it was my grad school professor, Jack Young, who helped me mold what I had into something viable. He taught me discipline, and he taught me that this work that we do is a craft to be mined. He added kindling to my already fiery passion for the work. Finally, I want to shoutout Cincinnati’s chapter of the Black Bear Brotherhood. The group is “a social collective for Black gay, bisexual, same-gender loving and gender nonconforming men of size and their allies”. I’ve been connected with the Cincinnati chapter for several years, and the group reminded me of the importance of community. Prior to connecting with its members, I was considering a move from Cincinnati. I had a wonderful theatre community, but I still felt disconnected; and it was meeting the members of this collective that also reignited my love and dedication towards community building. Quite honestly, they helped remind me of who I am.

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