Meet Al Piper | Actor, Writer and Dreamer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Al Piper and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Al, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
This comes from my mother’s infinite well of knowledge and life experience: “No one can do you, better than you.”

At times it’s hard to see myself as an individual when I’m in a room full of 20 people that look like me, all gunning for the same role. The same opportunity. The same damn job ya know? Like how on earth am I supposed to stand out against these other wickedly talented people?

And then I hear my mom’s voice in my head and I remember : I am the product not my talent therefore I am what I bring to the table. And that lets my brain focus on the WORK in front of me instead of worrying if I’m doing a good enough job, if I’M good enough but the answer is YES!

It reminds me that, in a world where no idea is original, each vessel IS.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a storyteller. Always have been. Always will be.

I used to think I was just an actor but I was feeling claustrophobic in that artistic expression. So I started writing, trying to find my voice in a medium with autonomy. In 2018 I created “Types-n-Such” a late age coming of age story and in 2019 I dabbled in production to film the pilot! I was working with my editor when then the record needle scratched for all of us – Covid. Covid yanked the momentum out of my sails, which were already a little apprehensive running an indie shoot for the first time and starring in it!

So I recalibrated and focused on things I could immediately control: makeup and music. Every day I was working 6+ hours on makeup then the next 6+ hours on music because I HAD to find different outlets for my creativity. At first I was just noodling around on the guitar practicing scales and learning simple covers but it wasn’t enough. I wanted, needed to express more and then mind crashed open at this discovery – songwriting wasn’t off limits to me! And I fell deep into music production, combining my eclectic taste, and I found my sound: Sad Boi Love Pop. It was the biggest rush I’d had in years because my world opening up in a brand new way.

Now, I mix it all together: Write short films, act in them, compose some of the music and eventually I’ll probably design makeup looks. I work to put together the story in every area I understand/ am versed in because who knows how someone will be affected and by what?

See, it’s very important to me that we never forget we are in a position of cathartic service as artists. We give people a place to escape, we teach lessons, we validate, we hold a mirror up to society and we ask hard questions and sometimes we don’t give answers. There are so many facets to every person’s story, look at mine – black, queer, trans non-binary, youngest sibling, farthest from home, first to go to college, etc. – and it is my responsibility to create as much space for not only my facets but yours too. And that’s the magic. My stories are magic, our stories are magic.

And yes, it’s hard. There’s never enough money or time and I’m definitely being, capitol c, Crushed by capitalism but it’s what I was called on this planet to do. Therefore the hardship? It is what it is, because the art of storytelling is what makes me a functional human being. Therefore it’s imperative to find different mediums as artists and creatives. We can’t fumble the ball because society depends on us. We have to find other ways to give and other ways to receive and I work towards it every day.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’d definitely have to hit up all of the places I used to work as a server because that would be hilarious: – Croxley’s Alehouse
– Brooklyn Bowl
– Westville
– Diner
– Ronda Café
– Deleware and Hudson

Drinks
– All Night Skate (The Prom Night – you’re welcome)
– Leyenda

Food
-Skytown
-Walters
– Salud Bar + Grille
– Ridgewood Alehouse (General Tso Fried Chicken Wings – you’re welcome)

Coffee
– Little Skips
– Variety Coffee
– Daily Press

Activities
– Botanical Gardens – BIG DUH – I love plants
– Sunshine Laundromat
– Melody Lanes
– Forbidden Planet
– Skyline Drive In

Vintage Shopping
– Urban Jungle
– L Train Vintage

DANCING
– Cmon Everybody
– Izzy Rose (small dancefloor but mighty)
– Good Judy
– Gingers
– Casablanca

Parks
– Herbert Von King
– Miranda Hernandez
– Prospect

All in all I’m a simple guy so we’d also spend a good portion in front of a fire pit in the backyard 🙂

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My movement teacher from high school – Dawn Naser! This woman was the catalyst for my body acceptance. Being physically weak isn’t a weakness however giving up on yourself is the weakness. I had to find tenderness for myself during the moments of weakness and to this day it’s one of my biggest strengths.

Also:
It would be remiss of me to NOT mention my momma who funded my education and always pushed me to believe in myself.

Website: alecapiper.com

Instagram: @alecazam

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/al-piper

Image Credits
Valerie Chiang, Daniel Feighery and Jon Burkland.