Human

I am an African American multidisciplinary artist, who is proudly from the South Side of Chicago. As an independent creative, my career has spanned two lanes—Corporate America by day to support myself financially, and artist by night to nourish my dreams. The through line that connects both paths is that I am a storyteller at my core. I produce work in a variety of mediums including theatre, digital media (2020 Emmy® Winner Interactive Extension of a Linear Program, USA Network/Mr. Robot) and print journalism.

And while I love all my children equally, my proudest achievements so far include: my first solo show I Don’t Want to Play Myself  (2024 Fillet of Solo Festival, 2024 Rhinofest, The Tank NYC), Maybe a Mexican (20202021 and 2024 Blue Ink Playwriting Award Semi-Finalist, Chicago, IL), Escaping Inward  (Fade to Black Festival 2020, Houston, TX) and East Marquette Confessions.

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

I am represented by no one and have an MFA in nothing, and yet…still I rise.

Photo: I Don’t Want to Play Myself, a solo show written and performed by Toccara Castleman. Directed by Tor Campbell. Photography by Jay Towns.


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