November 26, 2019

Meet Omotayo Talabi of Golden Nile Productions in Downtown

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Omotayo Talabi.

Omotayo, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I always wanted to be an actor…sounds like a typical statement. But honestly I thought that was my destiny in life to be one. Ever since I can remember I would watch movies and look up their monologues online to practice them in the privacy of my bathroom.

Although my passion for acting was strong I never thought I could actually be an actor because I never really saw much people who looked like me on screen. As a kid, all the way up to my adulthood, I subconsciously thought acting was only meant for white people. I used to think that no one wanted to see a black person as the lead unless they are playing a stereotype or caricature.

That way of thinking would then lead me to years of straying away from pursuing my dream.
But it wasn’t until a failed sports career and months of introspection where I had the courage to finally take up acting classes. That was when those acting classes revitalized my dream and gave me the confidence to perform. However I came across the inevitable struggle of getting casted. I would audition and audition, but it would soon feel like forever until I got my next role.

That was until I saw Issa Rae’s show “Insecure”. The show was about the modern-day black woman written by a black woman being featured in HBO. In an interview Issa talked about how we need to start creating our own stories instead of waiting for someone else to write it for us. Hearing that, and many other stories similar to that, inspired me. I decided to stop waiting for people to tell me yes, I decided to stop waiting for the perfect role, I decided to create. Not just for myself but for others.

I created Golden Nile Productions in effort to discover, collaborate and create stories and events for and about people of color. Golden Nile Productions’ mission is to dismantle the monolithic narratives, created by the entertainment industry, on the how the world views people of color. This will all be done in effort to make sure future generations of performers, writers, directors of color see and believe in themselves. Because at the end of the day, we are multifaceted. We have range. We are leads. We show emotion. We are human.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Deciding to become an creative producer/director of a small production group has its pros and cons. The struggles I have faced thus far has been mostly financial. But though meeting up with other creatives and mentors, I have been guided on how to pitch and fund specific projects (plug: if you would like to support or fund future projects please visit www.goldennileproductions.com or email goldennileproductions.@gmail.com)

Recently, I was given the advice to apply for a city grant and I was awarded a facility grant where 80% of the costs were covered to use their theatre. That grant helped me create my 2019 passion project “Mind Over Matter: Poems and Monologues about Rediscovering Yourself” (you can find clips of it on youtube @goldennileproductions).

I guess my lesson is, you got to believe in your project. You got to be the most passionate person in the room in order to make your vision come to life.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Golden Nile Productions – what should we know?
I am an actor, director, playwright and producer from Gilbert, Arizona.

I am the founder and creative producer of Golden Nile Productions, whose previous theatrical productions include: “Lend an Ear”: the humanization of the black woman, “I’ve Changed, Therefore I Am”: monologues and storytelling, and my most recent production at Seattle’s Langston Hughes Theatre, “Mind Over Matter”.

As a director I am most recently known for co-directing Theatre22’s production of “WHITE” by James Ijames, that was featured in The Seattle Times!!

Golden Nile Productions is a grassroots production group, whose main focus is to give people of color artists and creative organizations a platform grow within the community. What sets us apart from other individuals is that we dare to be bold and look for new and elaborate ideas and stories that help us grow as a community.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Hope…when all else fails, having hope goes a long way. Its the root of all imagination. Its the spark. Hope.

Pricing:

Contact Info: