Before committing to writing RED as a stage musical, I initially envisioned it being a screenplay (It would've been my first attempt at writing a film). I've always been a fan of Brother's Grimm stories from the perspective of the moral undertones to each classic tale. There was something very familiar and relatable about the circumstances that the children in those stories found themselves in. I saw kids dealing with all types of abuse daily growing up in Newark, NJ. Both systematically and personally, there are traumas that little brown girls and boys have to cope with that not only go unspoken by the victims but are unaddressed by the people of authority who have the power to rectify such circumstances. RED was my attempt to shine a light on the stories of everyday kids and give them a voice in a society that tries to undermine and take advantage of the innocence of our youth. I never expected this powerful, timely piece to be birthed from the single idea of a little black girl in a red hoodie.

I like think that each character I write shares a perspective that I hold personally. Even the villains have a specific place in the overall message. Nonetheless, I think that Trevor might be the most relatable to me as far as my childhood journey goes. As the "Prince Charming" equivalent in our show, it was a little harder to concoct an individual storyline for him since he's an extension of the Cinderella story. Because of that, a lot of Trevor's motive was my own plight at his age. Being a goodie two-shoes innately and wanting to shake that image in an attempt to rediscover who he is... Its not as dramatic as child abuse, theft, or rape which are few stops that we make on this RED train, but it is still a mental and emotional delimma that can lead some of our most promising young black boys into situations that could be avoided with the propor nurturing and encouragement by those influencing them. I had the privilege of having great mentors and role models pushing me in the right direction but I've definitely wrestled with those demons. Its writing pieces like this that remind me that my good boy qualities are my superpower in a world that glorifies the bad guy.

RED is very different from my first musical, Something Like a Fairytale, although one would think they fall into the same niche of fantasy. Though inspired by folk tales, RED is firmly rooted in reality. It was very important that the tone of this show was one of higher intensity and drastically more moody than the family friendly Fairytale that my first whimsical musical has become. With that, I think this show is equally as appealing for families to enjoy together simply because of how timely it is in the social/political climate of our country. It sparks a conversation, one way or another, either by opening a door of comfortability for victims to feel safe to share and confront their traumas or offer empathy and compassion for those who are oppressed and disregarded. This show isn't one with the happiest of endings but, like SLAF, it gives us just enough hope and empowerment to carry us over until the next time we get stuck in our own storm..