Creative Minds
"It differentiates us from the rest of creation the ability to think, reason and create.
Whether it is artwork to admire, a play that makes us cry or a song that makes us dance, the creative process manifests from the inside.
"My creative process begins in a very abstract place," says Cristal Chanelle Truscott, visionary playwright. "It is from a 'feel' not a 'feeling' like sadness or joy or anger, but a 'feel' a sense of urgency, a yearning, an emotional understanding. It is not something that can be described in words, not an event, a script idea or vision of a character, but from a heartfelt urging to get at the complex emotions of life that, when presented, may help to inspire positive change," she says.
This aspiration propelled Cristal to create Progress Theatre, a touring ensemble with a distinctive voice making a significant contribution to American theatre and to Muslim American culture. As the Artistic Director, Cristal creates her plays so her audience leaves the theatre inspired to enact positive change in their lives and in our society. "So once the 'feel' comes, I live with it in my head for a long while without actually writing. The plot and the characters are constantly twisting about in my head. That's my process of getting to know them and deciding on the stories they need to tell, the events they encounter, the emotional journeys they need to go on to serve the overall theme of the play. Once I actually sit down to write, everything happens very quickly because I've been musing over it all for so long."
As the script tumbles out of her, Cristal turns to the other creative mind of Progress Theatre, Maiesha McQueen, to write an original score for the play. "I get my inspiration from the script. Cristal will tell me where she heard a song. Sometimes, the melodies come to me first, sometimes the lyrics come first," she says. "The music is inspired by the play, by the character's plight and by the message you want to convey. The songs help to move the plot along. The melodies are linked to the emotion of the moment. I write down lyrics and remember the melodies in my head. I record it then teach it to the other ensemble members, sometimes with intricate harmony parts. You can hear it in your head, but it is not until you hear the voices that it comes alive."
The harmony between Cristal and Maiesha is a magical combination that Maiesha describes as "the ultimate partnership" and Cristal calls "a very honest and supportive relationship." Respecting each other's artistry, this creative duo has a collaboration that results in standing ovations. Cristal acknowledges the balance saying, "My job is to present this emotional journey through the text and hers is to translate it into music."
They have different talents and roles, but similar beginnings. These women both grew up in homes that fostered their talents and both attended performing arts high schools before meeting each other at New York University (NYU). Born in New Jersey and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Maiesha had several modes of creative expression as a child, but it wasn't until she reached middle school that she shared her gifted voice with others. "I felt like it was my thing," she recalls. She auditioned for her performing arts high school, but once in the vocal program, she became quickly disillusioned. "It was about how high you could sing, instead of what you were communicating to the audience." When a teacher introduced her to musical theatre, she found her passion. Throughout high school, Maiesha starred in youth theatre shows, including Godspell, The Wiz and Dreamgirls. Dreams of studying pediatric medicine fell by the wayside in her senior year. "I couldn't picture myself doing anything else," she admits. She went on to NYU as a theatre major.
A Texan, Cristal was raised in a household of artists. "At a young age you were doing two or three artistic things -- you were going to dance classes, taking piano lessons or singing in choirs. Those types of things have always been a part of my life experience. I always knew that one of my contributions to the world would be via the arts."
One thing she didn't assume was she would become a Muslim. While a freshman at NYU, she met a Muslim who was very open about talking to people about faith. "It was a time in my life of spiritual reflection and seeking. Muslims just kept coming my way and I just kept getting into these amazing conversations," she recalls. "The day that I took my shahadah I did not wake up that day thinking that I would. I'd had all of these excuses about why I should wait. I took my shahadah and it was a beautiful, indescribable, very intense experience. A blessing."
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SPECIAL REPORT Creative Minds
Creative people often march to a syncopated beat. These five women see their creativity as gifts from the Creator and they fostered their talents to enrich their lives and the lives of others.
by Kelly Crosby, Jameelah Zahra Deen, Jamillah Karim, Amy Riolo, K. Fatima Woolfolk & Tayyibah Taylor
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Lose Weight, Gain Health.
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Menu Potluck Perfection. Recipes for your next get-together.
by Nehal Kadry
Fashion Snorkel, Swim or Surf
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DEPARTMENTS
Deen The Power of Prayer
by Shahidah Sharif
Shahadah Miracles of Life
by Sarah Abdul Latif
Book Club Reviews of Zaatar Days, Henna Nights by Maliha Masood, Once in a Promised Land by Laila Halaby and Girls of Riyadh by Rajaa Alsane
Real Gems
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Poetry At 27
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Reflections The Giving Heart, the Loving
Soul, the Beautiful Light
by Zanjabil Williams-White
Fiction The Funeral Gift by Najma Mohamed
Point of View Oppressed or Liberated
by Farah Ali
Ayah Surah Fatir, Ayat 27
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