Today we’d like to introduce you to Antonio LeRoy King.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Antonio LeRoy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Everyone calls me King, and I was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. I started acting professionally at age seven and I haven’t stopped. After graduating from The University of Southern Indiana, where I was the only Black male Theater Major for two years, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue my acting career in a new city. I’ve been featured in productions at the Phoenix Theatre Company, am an Actors Equity Member, and a recipient of the Roger Sturtevant Musical Theatre Actors Equity Award.
Coming from an amazing Black family and being raised in the church, I’ve always had a close relationship with God and have always carried Him with me in my journey. The dance of working in the secular world of theater and being a “church boy” have always been interesting and rewarding. Yes, I grew up in the church as a Christian with many spiritual values/morals, but I also grew up around drag queens and fully supported my LGBTQ community. The dance hasn’t always been easy being unique and loving the things black men stereotypically aren’t interested in. Not many young black boys from the hood are listening to Barbra Streisand when they are nine years old. However, I feel in many ways I’m writing the manual for younger black men to be themselves, just by living my truth as an open-minded, straight, black Christian man who is accepting of all people’s beauty, hearts, sexiness, and art. What can I say? I’m the best. Haha
Has it been a smooth road?
“Can I touch your hair” is a phrase I’ve heard far too often. “Can you make the line more urban?” One white fellow actor even said, “Hey! What’s up Blackkklansman?” But that’s a story for another day…The annoyance of being an “other” is not as small as it may sound, regardless of the fact they are called “micro aggressions”. Micro aggressions often feel loud and cause many Black artists to consider quitting. Being the “fly in the milk” is never fun. Especially while injustices are happening everyday to your people. It doesn’t make us eager to sing and dance for other’s pleasure. Along with there not being many roles, representation, and constantly being expected to work for less money than white counterparts, I have constantly been expected to be the “Magical Negro” as actress Gabrielle Union calls it. A Black person who is expected to do it all, be the representation of all Black people and expected to be perfect and stay in your lane.
Even in the midst of the current Black Lives Matter movement, I have been asked many times to sing and act for virtual benefits for theaters wanting to showcase their alliance. Many theaters are only doing it for the optics and to jump on the bandwagon of “not looking racist”. What some producers don’t realize is that by asking Black people to participate in their version of “activism” you are placing us on the front lines metaphorically, when our lives are already in constant danger literally. If you are not a Black person, your version of activism cannot rely on the labor of black lives. This is the message I’ve had to state more times than I’d like to admit. Being young, gifted, and Black isn’t always easy. And that’s just that on that.
Other challenges are ones that many actors constantly face. We are taught in training to be able to play anything, sing anything, and prepare. However, I’ve realized the blessing in trusting my gift as it is. I no longer go into auditions trying to fit into a box that I was not created in. I go in and offer my artistry, my gifts, my choices, and pray that it fits the direction the show needs to go. I used to try my hardest to show all I could do in auditions, and I ran the risk of being #TeamTooMuch. But now, when I go into the auditions, once Ms. Rona calms down, I cannot wait to go in with my newfound assurance in my gifts. This is exactly what I want to teach young students!
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’ve been an educator for youth for many years. I started doing Children’s Theatre with the Indiana Repertory Theatre and often did talkbacks with young students in the arts. I was also involved with the Indiana Student Outreach in college to encourage more diversity for my University for the years after I graduate, and I often mentor and offer advice for young talent. A great example of my mentorship is a rising star named Lex Lumpkin from my hometown, who is now a star on Nickelodeon hit reboot “All That”.
I’ve always had a passion for young students of all ages and races, but I especially love promoting artistic expression to young black men whether in dance, art, or music. I encourage young students to write so they can create their own representation and not rely on others to create their lane, as well as audition technique, tips and tricks, beauty/style for auditions, and countless other things that are needed for a career in musical theater. The thing that I mostly want to pass to young people is how important it is to not lose yourself in the shuffle of trying to win other’s approval.
By trusting your gift, you’re also trusting that your artistic creativity will be used and that your gift will make room for you. We often, as artists, try to conform and become something we aren’t, but the reality is that when you trust your gift, you step into your destiny much stronger and know wholeheartedly that the door was meant for you to walk through. As a person who struggles with perfection, I now see that perfection is not the standard, it is an obstacle. Your gifts are meant to be an act of service and we all are worthy of expressing our art, which can make the world better.
No more telling our youth that their dreams are not valid, smart, or won’t make any money. During this pandemic, while we were all at home worrying, crying, or simply just bored….what were we all-consuming at home to make the time go and find solace? Art. Specifically, Beyoncé’s Black is King and Hamilton, just to name a few!
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
In the future, I see myself creating and continuing to serve. I see myself having a nice Broadway resume and hopefully, I’ve taken my talents to television. Whether writing, directing or just singing/acting, I know that I plan to continue serving my audience. My people. Uplifting us. And giving us more representation. Like my icon Debbie Allen, I plan on creating work that will inspire young people, and hopefully be able to mentor youth for the rest of my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.antonioking32.weebly.com
- Email: AntonioKing32@yahoo.com
- Instagram: @antonio_king32
- Facebook: Antonio LeRoy King
- Twitter: @antonioking32
Image Credit:
Yenifer Fontaine @yeni.photography
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