Q&A - Travis Alabanza
Writer, performer and theatre maker Travis talks to the feels about comfort TV and finding inspiration
What does an average day of creating look like for you?
Probably too many emails! It depends if I’m in show mode or not. Ten months of the year I’m not making a show - which means it will be lots of emails, meetings, and planning. I also like to try and find time to go for long walks, read, and chat to other artists. When I’m in show mode - it all looks very different.
In show mode it looks like getting up at six a.m., getting some exercise in and meeting with the creative teams to talk about the rehearsal the day before. We talk about what went well and what didn’t, what materials we need for set or design, and then we’re normally in rehearsals from around 10-6 with the cast. After that we do a post rehearsal meeting, about what we need for the next day. Then we repeat for four weeks.
What are the themes you often come back to in your work?
I feel like lots of other people might say it’s gender. And obviously, I talk about gender quite a lot. But I think a lot of my work tries to wrestle with what it means to be in relationships with strangers. I think all of my work is asking - What is our responsibility to people that we don’t know?
Do you remember the first piece of art you really saw yourself reflected in?
Yes. I went to see an all Black version of Shakespeare when I was fourteen. My school didn’t realise it was an all Black version, I don’t think they would have taken us if they did. We turned up and it was all done Shakespeare modern and I just remember being blown away because I hadn’t really seen Black people on stage like that. Especially in Shakespeare. I remember talking to one of the actors afterwards and them telling me about theatre and it being a really transformative moment.
What is a comfort piece of art for you?
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills! The editing on that is art, and I will watch season three reunions every single time I need to relax.
How do you get in the creative zone when you’re feeling uninspired?
By taking the pressure off. Going to see different things outside of what you normally would helps. If you write a lot, you might need to read other books or go and watch different plays to be inspired. Going to another art form which has nothing to do with me can also trigger that inspiration.
The other day I was listening to my friends talk who are neuroscientists. I don’t know anything about neuroscience but just listening to them having a conversation, I was like wow - that’s kind of inspired.
Travis Alabanza’s book None of the Above is available to buy in the US & the UK now.