Dean Atta: “They’re not showing anything different or edgy about queer life”
Poet, award-winning writer, actor and educator, is there anything Dean Atta doesn’t do? Apparently not. Dean Atta talks to Catch a Vibe about his latest project.
CAV: So you’re an actor, poet and workshop facilitator. Is there anything you don’t do?
Dean Atta: Well, I’m also a playwright. I’ve written an urban musical called Scratched Out that I’m really excited about which is running throughout the whole of April. It’s a big commitment for me to take the time out of all the other regular work that I do like youth work and poetry workshops.
I’m also starting a writing group for adults. I’ve been asked to run it by Spread the Word, which is a writing organisation that does lots of literary events. I do an event called Lyric Lounge at the Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith, which has a really good buzz around it so from that they asked me to do a similar kind of writing event for an 18-30 market, so new writers can have their work read out.
CAV: In terms of all the work you do how important is acting to you?
Dean Atta: Well if you ever get an email from me you’ll see my signature reads: ‘Dean Atta – writer, actor workshop facilitator’. So it’s one of my main three things. I do want to do more acting but because the writing work has come all at once – being published in Spread the Word’s Flight anthology, having my work read at the Soho Theatre as part of the Mangina Monologues, putting on Scratched Out and doing all these writing workshops – there hasn’t been time to go to auditions. The acting thing hasn’t come at the right time but I’ve still got the desire and the passion to do it.
CAV: What is your advice for those who want to make acting their main thing?
Dean Atta: Be persistent. Go to auditions and see as much theatre as possible. Whether you want to be a writer or actor, study your craft. If you network right you won’t have to spend money and you’ll get free tickets so be cheeky, don’t be afraid to ask. Get online and record your acting, even if it’s just a monologue people want to be able to see you perform. The more people know what you’re doing the more people can support what you’re doing and help find opportunities for you.
Build up a show reel and if you’re a writer, write every day, whether it’s a blog, diary or poems, if you’re a young person join your local youth theatre. And network, network, network!
CAV: What are you checking out at the London’s Lesbian and Gay Film Festival this year? [Note: The festival took place on 23 March – 8 April at the Soutbbank Centre]
Dean Atta: I’m going to see Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom. It’s been highly anticipated amongst me and all my friends, I practically watched the first TV series all in one go. It’s like Sex and the City but with black, gay men instead of white, old women. I’d love to see something like that coming from Britain, who knows maybe I’ll write it. Even though it’s American you feel like you’re seeing yourself and your friends represented on the big screen. If it gets a general release go see it!
CAV: Do you think there is much representation of black, gay people on screen?
Dean Atta: There isn’t enough representation apart from stereotypical ultra-camp or ultra-safe roles. They’re not showing anything different or edgy about queer life apart from the seedy parts of it so maybe I need to write something!
CAV: Tell us more about Scratched Out.
Dean Atta: It’s an urban musical about a group of young performers getting ready for their show that night. One of the characters has been away at university for a year and he’s the only one who has left the area and experienced something new, so his return offsets the balance between the group and there’s a lot of tension. It’s all brand new songs written by myself and Richard Hale, partly based on my experiences of working with young people and hearing their stories. It will appeal to those who want to understand young people. It’s a slice of a life that you wouldn’t necessarily have been privy to. It’s fun, emotional and a bit of a rollercoaster all in one night so there’s a lot in there. You see the characters develop and change, learn about the misrepresentation of young people in the media and the issues that they face.
CAV: What does the future hold for you?
Dean Atta: I haven’t even mentioned the radio station that I work for! FYI Radio, which is online and on iTunes and has really grown. We look at queer youth and alternative culture and get a lot of musicians and politicians that work within the community. It’s all about positive role models for young people. If anyone wants to get involved with radio they should get in touch because it’s not just about gay people it’s very inclusive.
Also recording more music, and collaborating with singers and song writers. I made a limited edition run of my EP Reason & Rhyme which sold out at my shows so I thought it was time to make more tracks. The album is a collection of poems and songs written over the years which charts my life. There are a lot of experiences young people can relate to, straight people, gay people anyone really, because I’m talking about universal experiences that we go through as people.
Scratched Out @ Riverside Studios – April 2009
