Trey Anthony Interview – “How Black Mothers Say I Love You”
Trey Anthony the pioneering writer and producer of “Da Kink in My Hair” gave us the first ever prime time show produced by a Black Canadian Female. Once again, she has successfully penned a telling tale in “How Black Mothers Say I Love You” the play. It’s a story inspired by realities close to home. She wrote the play after experiencing comparable circumstances wherein both her maternal grandparents relocated to different countries leaving their children behind in search of opportunities outside the circumference of their existing reality. It’s a commonplace for many women in the diaspora. Trey was inspired to write the play after her grandmother fell ill with stomach cancer. It’s a health crisis and one of many unfortunate and unforeseen circumstances that can affect families whether here or there.
When mothers take a temporary leave of absence from their home and children it can definitely place a strain on the relationship with their children once they are reunited. So much life happens in the course of their separation from each other and much of the minor details that can translate into bigger issues down the road are not foreseen. Us human beings we are shaped by our experiences and environment, it’s how we grow, inevitably. “How Black Mothers Say I Love You” highlights some of the unique circumstances that transpires over the lifetime of the temporary separation between mothers and their children while off in search of opportunities and also highlights the dynamics of the relationships once they are united. When mothers leave home, they are in their minds, (for the most part, ironic as it may be) are making a pioneering decision and sacrifice for themselves and the future of their little ones. The grass always appears greener on the other side and as the old saying goes a bird in the bush becomes more appealing than the one in hand. Unfortunately, on the road paved with good intentions mothers and children change and grow apart through their disconnect as daily challenges a triumphs takes precedence over meaningful presence. Trey skillfully writes to depict some of the harsh realities and challenges that can transpire over the life and times of such a brave sacrificial move.
Interview with Trey Anthony
1. How did you get into play-writing was it a lifelong dream of yours, just happened or did you attend theatre school?
I attended 2yrs of School for Theatre then really spent majority of my time doing sketch comedy I also did some writing and performing for The Chris Rock Show and also got experience through co-writing with Clement Virgo
2. What was your inspiration behind the creation of the play “How Black Mothers Say I Love”?
After witnessing both my maternal grandparents go through similar situations and the relationships they had with their children, the impact of relocating on families can be very challenging it really hit home for me when my grandmother fell sick with stomach cancer that was a really hard time for our family it also got me thinking a lot more about health and fitness as another avenue that I will venture into sometime in the future it got me thinking a lot and I really wanted to tell our story.
3. What avenues and methods did you use to promote or market your work?
There are so many options available for creative persons today, we have social media which we can utilize to market our products and with tenacity we can garner a lot more support there’s movie blog and different social media tools that we can use to tell our stories.
4. Is there anything I haven’t asked you that you’d like to let us know?
Come out and support the show you can also follow me @Treyanthonyspeaks
How Black Mothers Say I Love You is playing at Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst Street until March 5, 2017. Showtimes are Tuesday through Saturday at 8 pm Ticket prices range from $25 – $35 and can be purchased on-line or through the box office at (416) 504-9971.
