Our interview with TS Hawkins, Theatre Exile's New Education Director
Q: Tell us about yourself.
A: I'm an international author, performance poet, art activist, educator, and playwright who enjoys finding free moments to curl up with a good hardcovered tome and a glass of happiness!
Q: What previous roles have you held at Theatre Exile?
A: I have been with Theatre Exile for seven (7) years working in the box office, front of house, and as a teaching artist for the Out of Exile residency.
Q: What drew you to work with Theatre Exile?
A: [Producing Artistic Director] Deb Block was my college professor (way back in the day, lol). But around 2013, I saw Exile's posting for additional box office assistants on the Theatre Philadelphia Listserv. Having past box office experience, I threw my credentials in the ring. After a preliminary phone interview, I was called in for a follow-up meeting. To my surprise, Deb was in the office that day and decided to join the interview. It felt like a mini family reunion, and the rest is history!
Q: What made you stick around?
A: I'm still with Theatre Exile because of Deb's vision for the organization. Understanding there are structures that need to shift in order for Exile to thrive to its fullest potential, Deb continues to make sure the magic created on and off the stage is equitable, brave, and accountable to the communities we serve.
Q: What is your new position at Theatre Exile? What are you most excited about in this position?
A: Now, serving as the new Education Director, I'm elated to work with the young voices in our Paper Wings program and connecting with new community members and activists for our workshops.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about your new position so far?
A: In stepping into this position, I enjoy engaging with the staff in a newly rejuvenated way. It's exciting to manifest a creative brain trust with this group of folks!
Q: Tell us about your upcoming Workshop Reading on October 23 during the 5th Annual Bridge PHL Theatre Festival.
A: They'll Neglect to Tell You began as a five-minute vignette I curated in 2015 for the Painted Bride Arts Center's Souls of Black Folk Project. In 2019, I was accepted into the 1812 Productions Jilline Ringle Solo Residency, where I partnered with Lois Moses to dive deeper and expand the solo vignette.
It was during the residency feedback session that I was gifted a wonderous question: "Do you feel like there are more voices in this work?" Not having an immediate answer, I sat with the work months after the residency concluded. It was then that the distinct character voices rang clear, and, once more, the work transcended. It is an honor to showcase the new developments of They'll Neglect to Tell You during the 5th Annual Bridge PHL Theatre Festival (virtual).
They'llNeglect to Tell You tells thestory of Grace and Merci — Grace is aburgeoning therapist, and Merci dangles for freedom at the bottom of a bourbonglass. College sweethearts and newlyweds, they elope to Philadelphia for afresh beginning. Stumbling into polarizing landscapes, they struggle in themargins of heart and home. They'll Neglect to Tell Youasks the question, "When 'heart and home' are gentrified, can one trulyfeel safe and sound?" Admissionis FREE with RSVP!
The Creative Team: Lois Moses (Director); Betsy Vivar (Grace) and Cynda Purnell (Merci)
