Rising Stars: Meet Asia Hicks of Hazel Park

Today we’d like to introduce you to Asia Hicks

Hi Asia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey began with an aversion to high school gym class. My curly mane of hair made the swimming portion particularly dreadful. Fortunately, my school district offered a magnet program for theatre students, which covered all elective classes (including gym!). This program ignited my passion for performance and marked the birth of my artistic life.

I started behind the scenes, working as a stage manager and designer, before stepping into the spotlight as an actor and director. Eager to immerse myself in every aspect of theatre, I aimed to master all roles. After earning a BFA from Western Michigan University in 2018, I returned to Metro Detroit, eager to engage with every theatre I could find, even picking up a few film and commercial gigs along the way.

It was during my time at Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck that I discovered a deep love for stand-up comedy. Adding this skill to my repertoire, I’ve performed in numerous comedy shows and became a Director of the Detroit Women of Comedy Festival. Today, I am consistently working as a director, actor, designer, and comedian, balancing multiple roles to bring my creative visions to life.

Entertaining and making people laugh is what I’ve always known how to do. I’m incredibly grateful to have found a community that embraces all facets of my artistic expression, allowing me to grow into the creator I am today.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Being a queer, non-binary person of color, the road to success has never been an easy one. I would often find myself having to prove my knowledge and skills to be up to par with my peers. I’m often doubted in my abilities simply because of my identity, which has made me work even harder to showcase my talents and break through stereotypes.

Additionally, the life of an artist is rarely lucrative. Balancing the pursuit of my passions with the need to pay my bills has been a constant struggle, one that many artists can relate to.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My proudest achievements have come in the form of directing, where I feel most confident and derive the greatest joy. I’m known in the community for staging challenging pieces that question societal norms. I have an affinity for strange and queer topics, finding absurd and compelling ways to bring them to life.

Most recently, I have been sought after as a director for the Obsidian Theatre Festival, where I’ve had the opportunity to showcase Black Excellence through several productions over the last three years.

What sets me apart from my peers is my well-rounded theatrical education and experience. I have the ability to see all aspects of a production simultaneously and understand what it takes to bring them to life on stage.

While I wear many hats as an artist and deeply appreciate all my different endeavors, directing is where my heart truly lies. While I will continue growing as an actor and comedian, I look forward to seeing where this passion will take me next.

What matters most to you? Why?
The biggest thing for me is impact. How are we influencing our community? I believe it’s crucial for us as creatives to remain aware of our voices and their effect on those around us. Too often, artists become disconnected from the world and fail to consider their surroundings. What are we truly saying? Our messages can get lost in the fluff of artistic visions and aesthetics. As artists, it’s our duty to represent ourselves in a way that positively serves our community, not just ourselves.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/asiamhicks
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asiamhicks?mibextid=LQQJ4d