What Power do we Actually Yield? (...whether they give it to us or not)

Our sixteenth installment features Alaina Newell, with our host Courtney J. Boddie from the Teaching Artistry with Courtney J. Boddie Podcast, who endorses an environment where vocalizing uncomfortable feelings must be done regardless of what power is held. She believes it is her duty to fiercely advocate for future BIPOC generations because they have the right to say “no.”

Newell has provided theater compassion, but theater has not always returned the favor. Theater has a tendency to provide face value, this sense of appreciating everyone but containing deeply rooted issues of discrimination. 

As BFA Musical Theater major at Western Carolina University, Newell has observed the disadvantages served by both the industry and academia. For example, the awareness of BIPOC culture is transparent in the curriculum that devoids subjects that stray from the standard; Not White. For people of color pursuing arts majors difficulty arises because these spaces are filled with White leadership, said leadership that rejects the notion that everyone is a learner. So if a student of color wants more representation in the classroom then teachers need to adapt, especially with increasing amounts of BIPOC enrollment. 

That sense of belonging is what individuals desire. However, it becomes a game of proving yourself instead of cultivating growth. Think about this: 

White individuals can climb the ladder without engaging with Black individuals, but not the reverse. 

We operate in a manner that requires Black people to interact with white individuals to gain power. Back to the sense of belonging, it proves that there are not enough spaces where power is shared. This is crucial because without a sense of self, “powerless” BIPOC might try to obtain it by conforming to White ideals in an effort to belong or
“get through”. If it works for White people, it can work for me, right? Some of us who are BIPOC, must also unlearn the status quo that is indoctrinated in White culture; a chance to discover that there are alternative ways to make impact, with control. 

This ideology led Newell to start The Fourth Wall in 2020 when George Floyd was brought to his death at the hands of the police. When this tragedy occurred, she noticed the lack of support for Black students in the program, which brought contemplation (how reality is easily obscured when entrenched in academia, especially when real world applications lack in the curriculum) and frustration (that comes from not breaking down society, especially when one’s race is either rarely represented or acknowledged). With 17 episodes under her belt there were lessons she learned in the process: 

  • Invite BIPOC in the room where you want to enact change 

  • No amount of education from our White counterparts can instill this knowingness about the Black experience (or other minorities) because it can never be their experience

  • Barriers exist when breaking down systems, however, those in power have a responsibility to release or relinquish this power to open space (traditionally white spaces)  for those who want to make positive change even if it goes against the norm or status quo

  • True collaboration requires comfortability

  • Lead with grace

Even with the success Newell’s podcast has received, her ultimate dream is that it becomes irrelevant. This moment will represent that our society has combated the issues of racism. 

Join us next week when Courtney interviews Dexter J. Singleton, a director, producer, activist, and educator. He is currently the Founding Executive Artistic Director of Collective Consciousness Theatre (CCT), a multicultural theatre for social justice in New Haven, CT and the Director of New Play Development at TheatreSquared in Fayetteville, AR.

Alaina Newell is a cis black woman working as an artist and activist! She will be graduating Western Carolina University this year, earning her BFA in Musical Theatre. The founder/creator and current host of Fourth Wall: the podcast (Instagram: @thisisfourthwall), Alaina is working to push boundaries and lift up the marginalized voices in the theatre industry! When she isn't in class or working on the show, she is writing music, listening to other podcasts, or rewatching New Girl (again). 

Follow Alaina on Instagram and Twitter