About – TOCCARA CASTLEMAN

Artist’s Statement

Toccara Castleman is an African American multidisciplinary artist, who is proudly from the South Side of Chicago. I recently relocated back to the Midwest after spending 16 years as a writer (I accomplished quite a bit) and actress (I accomplished less in this arena, but that’s okay and I’m okay too) in New York City. As a storyteller, my specializations are writing and acting, and I produce work in a variety of mediums such as theatre, digital media (2020 Emmy® Winner Interactive Extension of a Linear Program, USA Network/Mr. Robot) and print journalism.

While I love all my children equally, my proudest achievements thus far include: I Don’t Want to Play Myself (solo show/stage, 2023 Chicago Dramatists Art of Healing Festival), Maybe a Mexican (stage) (2020 & 2021 Blue Ink Playwriting Award Semi-Finalist, Chicago, IL), Escaping Inward (stage) (Fade to Black Festival 2020, Houston, TX) and East Marquette Confessions (web).

I’m committed to having a sense of humor, speaking in the first person when asked to write fancy bios about myself…and telling stories where Black people and other marginalized – yet deeply and vastly beautiful – communities are always central to the narrative, nuanced and loved.