Meet Anthony Wayne

We recently connected with Anthony Wayne and have shared our conversation below.

Anthony, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

Since I was a kid growing up in Norfolk, Virginia I have always been the type of kid to try to put forth a task and try to achieve it. That drive and ambition comes from seeing my mother make ends meet for my older brother and I. Many times I didn’t know she had little because she always made us feel like we had everything. Elaine Gary Green became my inspiration and would soon inspire me more than I would ever know. I’ve been in theatre performing since I was 5 years old so through grade school all the way up to college, I’ve always been trying to find my mold my purpose through the validation of others. Others would be family, friends, colleagues, teachers and even intimate partners. On stage and through theater, I’ve always been one to try and mold myself into characters that would give the audience the time of their lives. I didn’t know that I was bringing that emotional mechanism into my personal. Not on purpose but to fulfill some sort of pleasure to please others in my world; on stage an off. It wasn’t until I was performing in my first Broadway show and my mother shared with my brother and I that she had Breast cancer. It changed my whole world. I felt so guilty thinking that I living my dream in New York but the time I was doing that, I could have been making memories with her. Before she passed, I begin to think of all the times she’s been there for me, supporting me and believing in me. She’s always been the one to pour into me when I wasn’t able to. It wasn’t until she passed that I realized that all she poured into me was giving me exactly what I needed to pour back into the world. I truly understood that my purpose was to use my passion as a vessel to share with others; to inspire them to live their best lives and to use all the time I have on this earth to shine. Her name “ELAINE” means “LIGHT” so it is not a coincidence that I feel that’s my purpose to this day. I walk every day using my “ELAINE LIGHT” to inspire the uplift the world through my art and my heart. I am the Founder and Executive Director of a Nonprofit organization called “BLACK BROADWAY MEN” that celebrates, educates and motivates Black men of the Broadway and theatre community using the principles of UNITY, STRENGTH and LEGACY. This organization has changed my life and allowed me the opportunity to bring together men in theatre around the country in ways that will inspire and uplift them. I find that the more I use my purpose, the more I know that the legacy I leave behind will inspire others to find purpose in their lives. I continue shining daily because I know that light will never be blown out.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Well, currently I am focused on producing and creating at this moment. I have co-written and produced a new musical entitled “MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL” based on the life of the 1970’s Disco legend SYLVESTER. I play him in the show and so I am currently working on updates of the script and looking to present it again soon. The show premiered back in 2014 to SOLD OUT Off-Broadway audiences in New York City. The show toured around the country to acclaim and I’m looking forward to inspiring people with his story, celebrating his legacy and educating people about HIV/AIDS which happens to be the affliction that ended his amazing life. Many can find information on that show at www.MightyRealSylvester.com

As mentioned prior, I am the Founder and Executive Director of the 501(c)(3) BLACK BROADWAY MEN which celebrates, educates and motivates Black men of the Broadway and theatre community abroad. We are currently working on exciting new projects and events that will be announced very soon. For more information, readers can go to www.BlackBroadwayMen.org and if you happen to be a male-identifying person in theater, please sign up so we can get to know you. Follow us on Instagram @BlackBroadwayMen.

Personally, I am preparing to star in a presentation of a new show that I’m going to announcing very soon. The run of that show starts in October. Also, recently, I just created my own one-man show entitled “JUST ME. ANTHONY WAYNE: LIVE”. This is a cabaret musical experience that shares moments and memories of my personal life through Disco, R&B, Jazz and Broadway tunes that soar through your heart and uplift your spirit. This has incredible musical support with 8 fantastic band members and two background vocalists who are the backbone to this beautiful event. The root and mission of this incredible show is to inspire the audience to know that behind all we put on in the our everyday life, know that “JUST YOU is more that enough”. For more information and to find out when these performances are available, check out the website at www.MrAWayne.com or follow on Instagram at @MrAWayne.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

LIVE FREE, LOVE HARD & LAUGH LOUD….EVERYDAY!

Live Free – This came to me when I was in a space of trying to understand the totality of my life. Everyday we wake up trying to do what others what us to do, but I’ve learned that it’s truly more about what’s inside of your heart and spirit that shines. The key to unlocking “FREEDOM” within yourself is to tap into what your heart and spirit needs. That will allow you the space to live in a free space everyday without limitations.

Love Hard – This came to me when I was in a very dark place in my life. I had a conversation with my brother and he enlightened me on the truth that as children “we never learned to love ourselves because we didn’t have people around us to teach us how to love ourselves because those we learned from didn’t know how to love themselves”. That message rang out to me so clearly so I made the choice to trying to find love in others, people and things…and find it within myself. It took some time, but once I did that work, I began to love all the things about my life. The good, the bad and the ugly. Doing that allowed me the wherewithal to “LOVE HARD” everyday of my life so that’s what I would challenge anyone to do. Find that love within yourself for yourself and never let anyone try to diminish it.

Laugh Loud – This final piece has giving me the space to truly “LAUGH LOUD” in the joy of life. Everyday we wake up, we have the chance to make a difference in this world. We have the chance to touch someone’s life, to bless someone or to pour back into someone who is in need. The power of knowing we can bless and be blessed in this life makes me want to laugh and find happiness in all of it. I believe laugher is manna for the soul. It allows the opportunity to be reminded of how happiness is a necessity in our lives. When we laugh to ourselves or with others, it is an internal jolt of the life we have within us. I implore all of us to find that internal joyful jolt of life through laughter. It will truly brighten your day and the day of many others.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

Over the past 12 months I’ve learned to be patient, give grace and to forgive. I do all three things for myself but I find myself doing it for others as well. I’m not perfect but I seek perfection and excellence in all that I do. I am human so I realize when I am not capable or I need to rest. I say to myself “IT’S OKAY. IT WILL HAPPEN.” It’s about finding the balance to make sure I take care of myself while staying on course of the structured goal and timing of what I set before me. When I need to rest, I take my rest. When I need to close the computer, I close the computer. It’s okay. It truly is. I mention doing it for others as well because we can’t change people. People are going to ‘people’. At the end of the day, it’s about meeting people where they are for who they are and learning how to be patient, give grace and forgive them as they are going through things you will never know. The balance in that is understanding how to be discerning in how distance to them and how you deem them worthy of the access to you. Everyone doesn’t deserve all of you. That’s what life’s about. Learning the lessons and things you need to know so you can live your best life with gifted day you are given. I choose to be patient, give grace and forgive. Choosing these principles in my live have allowed me to heal, love and share light consistently. I truly hope the same for others.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Sekou Luke
Nile Scott Studios
Rebecca J. Michelson
Justin Kase Conder
Nathan Johnson Photography

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