Today we’d like to introduce you to Cece D..
Hi Cece, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
When I was younger I had always had a strong connection with storytelling through theater, my mother loves showing me movies of Broadway productions and taking me to professional theater or high school productions and I loved every moment of it. I grew up with my mom, my nana, and brother and sister, times were hard as they were but home was difficult from time to time.
I never had the same opportunities as my colleagues in school, I grew up shy, awkward and most importantly I was a black student in a prominently white school. Theater was my escape route from the bullying, the issues at home, and mental health issues that were unclassified at the time.
As I grew older, I began trying out for plays at my high school, but when I wouldn’t get in the show I would spend time backstage, stage managing or assistant directing.
Once I hit my senior year, I knew I wanted to try out for a musical, I felt like I had nothing to lose, and even though I was absolutely terrified, I managed to get into my first production of “Footloose” at Mona Shores High school as a principal character in she show! I had such a great time and had a lot of self discovery during that time.
I vividly remember calling my mom after opening night, after an evening of laughter and love all around, I was sobbing because I realized that this is what I was born to do. I called her and told her that theater was what I what I wanted to do forever, I had never felt more like myself than on the stage and she was so happy for me.
I am now in my junior year of studying at WMU for theater and have been participating in theater for 4 years and have never looked back.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have had my fair shares of bumps. When I first began I was undiagnosed with BPD (borderline personality disorder) which is a mental disorder that affects my emotion regulation. I struggled a lot with depression and experiencing lows that would cause me to be bedridden for days.
I lost a lot of people during my time working in theater, people that were important to me and ended in disaster or just time getting in the way.
I haven’t had it easy, I never have, but I’m learning day by day how to get better, and I am so blessed to have met my people that will always be by my side.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an actor! I specialize in stage acting and I love it! I love telling stories and impacting others with the stories I’m able to tell. I have been able to inspire others with my work and it feels amazing to do so.
My proudest accomplishment happened recently, I auditioned for the season at Circle Theater Grand Rapids, and I had my eye on a role that I never thought I would get, a starring role. I was usually placed as a featured character or a secondary character in shows, but I felt like the odds were in my favor. I had tough competition, two of my friends that are both incredibly talented. But I got the call later that evening saying that I was offered the role of Deloris Van Cartier in Sister act. I screamed at the top of my lungs with how excited I was, I felt like I was really moving up in my career.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was an awkward little Cece. I grew up with mostly my mom and nana, two of the strongest women I’ve known. Thinking about myself when I was younger I unfortunately was a doormat, and an extreme people pleaser. I was picked on a lot at school, for my size, the things I liked, the way I looked, etc.
I was always trying to be kind and respectful to my peers but I had a small circle of people that never picked on me, and that cared, and it made a big difference in my life.
Middle school was no different, but I discovered how much I love art! I would draw and draw just to distract myself from the horrors of puberty. I found amazing people and teachers that I felt safe with (shout out to Mrs.Gotaas).
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cecedtheater.wixsite.com/my-site-1?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZnRzaASuKL1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAadMNFd2JUxRUB7oWGdZ-xqHiE26-lJPON_N_82hK-ly3Ddp50Zd9Wkpga_5Hw_aem_4g5pBQLrWWRAr0OUFer3sg
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cece.theater?igsh=MWxodDI2cTdzamhyYg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cece-d-8ab6b028a?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@cece.theater?_r=1&_t=ZT-97alAQBEz0Q
