I played Pierre, a white Russian aristocrat, and my co-lead was Denee Benton. Two black leads playing not black people - it was an important moment for the Broadway community to say diversity is possible and it's here. — Okieriete Onaodowan Copy Share Image
Broadway needs to let go of any fear that it won't succeed and take a knee. There's this rhetoric about being grateful and happy that you're getting paid for your art. We are told to put our own stuff aside,… — Okieriete Onaodowan Copy Share Image
I knew nothing of American History because I didn't pay attention to American History in school. Because I did not see myself in American… — Okieriete Onaodowan Copy Share Image
It was just really exciting to see dark people in white people's clothing, or what is perceived as white people garb. — Okieriete Onaodowan Copy Share Image
I played Pierre, a white Russian aristocrat, and my co-lead was Denee Benton. Two black leads playing not black people - it was an… — Okieriete Onaodowan Copy Share Image
I just loved listening to hip-hop, I love the words. The angry words resonated with me. — Okieriete Onaodowan Copy Share Image
You have to cultivate diversity for it to work, and I feel the 'Great Comet' didn't take the time to cultivate it. They didn't… — Okieriete Onaodowan Copy Share Image
Despair is despair, sorrow is sorrow, death is death. It's not about who is experiencing it; it's about building a bridge of empathy across… — Okieriete Onaodowan Copy Share Image
The finances of a smash hit do not affect the actors in any way shape or form, it's the attention that comes with it.… — Okieriete Onaodowan Copy Share Image
Hip-hop was born of people who did not have a voice. They were not heard. And those people exist and are a part of… — Okieriete Onaodowan Copy Share Image
There's something to be said about seeing your face represented. There's just something really important about that. It just draws you in more. — Okieriete Onaodowan Copy Share Image
If people feel strongly and passionately about something, I'll let them speak strongly and passionately - I'm not going to tell them not to. — Okieriete Onaodowan Copy Share Image
Young kids who are out there who are upset and angry, they can watch this and realize that you can speak out through your… — Okieriete Onaodowan Copy Share Image
