I'm not religious, but I'm spiritual.
I was born in St. Augustine, Florida. I lived there till I was about 13, and then my family moved to Connecticut. I finished school there, and then I went to college in Philadelphia and came to New York in '87. I wasn't finished with school - I left school to go on the road.
I'm from a part of Florida that is very close to Georgia in the panhandle area. I have a very colorful Southern family.
When I make people laugh and I get to laugh, it does my spirit good.
You rarely see a musical being told about the life of a black woman.
One of the greatest things about the theatre is how it can completely change the way you see the world around you. 'Dear Evan Hansen' did this for me.
You know when you see a play and there is a character whom you know so well that you hate them and love them at the same time? That is Michael Potts' portrayal of Turnbo in August Wilson's 'Jitney.'
I always had a strong faith, and I always relied on God for a lot.
I have a very strong connection with God, very strong sense of my faith.
I can't stand adversity and stress and drama and tension. I can't function in that environment. If I have anything to say about it, we're going to get rid of it so that everyone can just relax and have a good time.
The majority of the roles I've played are women who have been either impoverished or subjugated in some way. So while I've been fortunate enough to have success because these roles exist, they are stereotypical roles.
As an actor, you go in your own personal life and pull from your personal life, so that's what I do.
I'm an actress: I'm used to being independent, doing for myself.
I think a lot of audience members don't realize the part that they play in live theatre. The audience actually has a mood. Sometimes they're tired and bored, and we have to wake them up and engage them.
I'm not a Method actress. I work in the present, the day-to-day.
Who doesn't love Donna Summer's music? It was part of my childhood, always heard around the house.
That's capital L, small a - no space! - capital C, small h, a, n, z, e.
Time just goes on, and... it doesn't stop for anything.
'The Little Mermaid' is my favorite of the Disney animated features. And, I could not wait to see it on Broadway.
I try to take time to find joy out of life, and I don't take a day for granted like I used to.
