Justice Ford on Misery, Queerness, & Art’s Healing Power

Justice Ford Shines In Chicago’s revival Of ‘shakin’ The Mess Outta Misery’

Chicago’s Theater Scene Is Ablaze With The Revival Of Shay Youngblood’s Play,Shakin’ The Mess Outta Misery,Directed By Ilesa Duncan. At The Heart Of This Production Is Justice Ford, A Talented Queer Actress Who Embodies Two Distinct Roles.ford Recently Shared Insights Into her theatrical Journey, Her Advocacy For Lgbtq+ Representation, And Her Aspirations Within The Acting World.

From Chicago’s South side To Center Stage

Growing Up On Chicago’s South Side, Ford was Immersed In The Arts From A Young Age. Her Early Exposure To Movies, Music, And Theatre, Coupled With Her Parents’ Artistic Inclinations, Fueled Her Passion. She Attended Robert Healy Elementary School, Known For Its Remarkable Arts Program, Which Provided Her With Solid Grounding Through Concerts And mainstage Productions.

Ford’s Pursuit Of Performing Arts Led Her To Chiarts (The Chicago High School For The Arts), Where She Became Part Of Its Inaugural Graduating Class. despite The Rigorous Schedule, Ford Flourished, Participating In Every Mainstage Production And Co-Founding The Black Student Union.

Early Career And Influences

Although College Wasn’t Initially In The Cards After High School, Ford’s Passion For Theatre Remained Alive. One Of Her Chiarts Teachers Introduced Her To Community Productions, Including A Unique Mash-Up Of Okaa Oklahoma! And The Vagina Monologues That Was Staged Inside A Church.

Did You Know? Chicago boasts over 200 theaters, ranging from Broadway-scale venues to intimate storefronts, making it one of the most vibrant theater cities in the U.S.

The Significance Of ‘Shakin’ The Mess Outta Misery’

“I Love This Play So Much,” Ford Emphasizes, Highlighting The Importance Of Amplifying The Work Of Queer Black Playwright, Shay Youngblood, Who Passed Away Last Year. this Revival, Following A 2017 Production, Is Seen As A Passing Of The Torch, Emphasizing Community And Bridging Generational Gaps With The Presence Of Original Cast Members Like Felicia Mcneal.

Landing The Roles

Ford Credits Shawn Wallace, The Music director, For Encouraging Her To Audition. After A Successful Audition, She Secured Two Roles In The Production.

Pro Tip: When auditioning, prepare a monologue that showcases your range and personality. A strong first impression is crucial.

Understanding Maggie And Miss Rosa

Ford Plays Maggie, A Part-Time Blues Singer And Hustler Who Teaches Daughter About Love’s Realities. She Also Portrays miss Rosa, The intuitive Funeral Director Who Connects Daughter To Her Ancestral Experiences.

Maggie Is A Survivor Who Embodies Resilience And Resourcefulness, Reflecting The Realities Faced By Many Black Women. “If That Means I Have To Trick An Old Woman Out of Her Money, I’ll Do That. I’ll Sing At A Club, Part-Time.” it’s The American Way, Sadly-Especially For Black Women.”

“Art Saves Lives”

Ford Firmly Believes That “Art Saves Lives.” Raised By A Single Mother, She Overcame Significant Odds Through Early Involvement In The Arts. The Stage Became her Sanctuary, Offering therapy And Escape. As A teaching Artist,She Instills This Ideology,Emphasizing Vulnerability And Character Embodiment.

The Power Of Queer Representation

Coming Out Later In Life, Ford Experienced Firsthand The transformative Power Of Openness. She advocates For Queer Representation To Promote Inclusivity, Kindness, And Recognition For The Lgbtq+ Community’s Beauty And value.

Dream Collaborations

when Asked About Dream Co-Stars, Ford Named Viola davis, Audra Mcdonald, And Rashidra scott, Highlighting Their Immense Talent And Impact.

Character	Description	Role In The Play
Maggie	Part-time blues singer, hustler	Teaches Daughter about love
Miss Rosa	Funeral director, intuitive	connects Daughter to ancestors

Pegasus Theatre Chicago’s Shakin’ The Mess Outta misery Is Running At The Chicago Dramatists’ Russ Tutterow Theatre, 798 N. Aberdeen St., Through June 15. Tickets Are $15-$35 And Can Be Purchased At Pegasus theatre Chicago.

The Enduring Relevance of Black Theater

Black Theater Continues To play A Pivotal Role In Showcasing Diverse Narratives And Providing Opportunities For Black Artists. According To A Study By the Advancing Black Arts In pittsburgh Initiative, Black Arts Organizations Often Face Systemic Funding Disparities, Making Revivals Like ‘Shakin’ The Mess Outta Misery’ Crucial For Sustaining Black Voices In the Arts.

productions That Highlight Black Experiences Not Only Entertain But Also Educate And Foster Dialog, Contributing To A More Inclusive And Culturally Rich Society. Consider Supporting Local Black Theater Companies To Ensure These Vital Stories Continue To be Told.

What Aspects Of Justice Ford’s Journey Resonate Most With You? how Does Theater Impact your Community?

Share Your Thoughts And Experiences in The Comments below!

How does Justice Ford’s art use imagery and symbolism to convey the complex emotional experiences of navigating queer identity and facing societal marginalization?

Unveiling the Artistic Journey of Justice Ford

Artist Justice Ford is a vital voice in contemporary art, especially concerning the LGBTQ+ community. Their work is a powerful example of art therapy. Exploring themes of queerness, vulnerability and embracing queer identity, Ford’s art serves as a beacon of hope and resilience for those struggling with life’s darker aspects. their pieces are not just visually stunning; they also offer profound insights into the human experience, particularly for those within the LGBTQ+ community facing marginalization, the mental health effects of discrimination, and challenges often associated with mental health issues.The focus on this work is not always on the positive but explores the deeper aspects that go hand-in-hand with the LGBTQ+ experience.

Early Influences and Artistic Genesis

Ford’s early life experiences significantly shaped their artistic direction. Facing personal hardships, they channeled their emotions, difficulties navigating identity, challenges with mental health and lived realities of discrimination, into their art. This early exploration fueled their desire to represent often-unseen aspects of the human experience and the emotional complexities of life, offering a unique outlook that resonates deeply with many. The foundation of the work comes from experiences and creating an emotional dialogue.

The Intersection of Misery and Art: A Catalyst for Healing

Justice Ford’s art fearlessly confronts misery. This is not a glorification but a necessary step toward healing.Their work acknowledges the pain, trauma, and challenges experienced by individuals, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community, thus paving the way for acknowledging their own experiences and emotions. This process encourages viewers to confront their emotions. Ford’s approach creates a space where these difficult feelings can be acknowledged and processed, fostering greater understanding and self-compassion. This art therapy method proves to be a cornerstone for understanding and healing.

Creating Space for Reflection and Vulnerability

The art offers audiences a safe space for reflection.The very act of engaging with the work invites difficult conversations. The use of vivid imagery, powerful symbolism and direct messaging is a part of it. Through self-expression, Ford’s art encourages others to explore their interior worlds. Through art therapy, the intention is to normalize difficult feelings, paving the way for individual and communal healing. The artistic process also allows those unfamiliar with the queer experience to gain understanding of the challenges faced

queerness as a source of Strength and Expression

Ford’s art is inherently queer, and they celebrate queerness as a source of strength and identity. This goes beyond mere representation. Their work embraces the complexities and nuances of queer experiences, particularly the marginalization faced by many gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals. Art acts as a vehicle by exploring queer identity, highlighting resilience, and fostering a sense of belonging for viewers and other artists. This is seen in many of their works.

Breaking Free From Societal Norms

The art provides a powerful platform for breaking free from societal constraints.Ford’s work challenges conventional notions of gender, sexuality, and identity, urging viewers to embrace their authentic selves without constraints. this rejection of norms helps lead to self-acceptance. These works confront the societal constructs that frequently enough harm LGBTQ+ individuals, like discrimination and oppression. Ford’s art encourages individuals to live in alignment with their true selves, which ultimately leads to a stronger sense of purpose.

art’s Healing Power: A Pathway to Resilience

Ford’s art embodies the healing power of art. It is more than a means of expression,it’s a vital mechanism for processing emotions,building resilience,and finding meaning in difficult experiences. Through creating, they and their viewers find solace, connection, and a renewed sense of possibility. Each piece, each image, and each conversation becomes an aspect of the community.

Practical Tips for Art as Therapy

• Find ways to express your emotions. Explore a variety of methods, such as writing, painting, drawing, and or collage.
• Set aside regular time for creative self-expression, even if it’s just for a few minutes each day.
• Don’t worry about perfection. Focus on the process of creating and the emotions evoked, allowing yourself to experiment freely.
• Share your art with others (if you feel comfortable). Join an art group or find artists to give and get support, feedback, and connection.
• Seek professional art therapy. Consider working with a trained art therapist if you need help processing trauma or other difficult emotions.

Examples of ford’s Work and its Impact

Let’s examine an example of Justice Ford’s work directly, and it’s impact. Consider the following information.

Art Piece Title	Themes Explored	Impact on Viewers
“Unspoken Truths”	Vulnerability, Trauma, Self Acceptance	Increased sense of validation and acceptance, deeper self-reflection
“Resilience in bloom”	Hope, Gender Identity, Queer identity	Inspired positive self-perception, a rejection of negative stereotypes
“Embrace the Darkness”	Mental Health, Isolation, Coping with Hardship	Allowed for a deeper understanding of one’s feelings in a space or healing