Meet Kyro Davis | Theatre artist that centers black transness and queerness. A storyteller through the stage from acting, writing, and dancing.

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

Hi Kyro, why did you pursue a creative career?
I wanted to pursue an artistic career because this is my calling. I’ve grown up in the world of theatre all my life and I understand the gift that I have to offer to the world and I am actively choosing to do what I love.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m really proud and excited to continue to show that Black trans people,Black queer people have a place in theatrical spaces because it is embedded in our DNA. Artistry is just there for Black folks. It’s what has paved the way for many of us, but being a Black trans writer for the theatre who is also a lesbian is also something so surreal! We don’t have enough of us telling our stories in theatrical spaces and I’m taking up space to tell these stories. My work doesn’t center around the Blackness or queerness or transness of it all, I just let my characters exist in a world and they happen to be Black, queer, and trans.

I’m still on my journey of where I want to go as a writer, as a performer etc. I am studying to get my Bachelors in Theatre Arts and minoring in Africana studies. I’m so grateful that I’ve been able to direct my own work at Long Beach City College and get mentorship through a dear friend Mark Anthony Vallejo. I’ve been blessed to have been encouraged to do that from one of my professors Collin Bressie. I am happy in being a learner as of right now.

I’ve grown up in poverty living in the Westside of Long Beach, my father being in addict, always surviving from a child to an adult trying to find my way of figuring out who I am, and the arts has always kept me on my path and I’m so proud that I kept going.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Where I’m from in Long Beach California, I recommend going to eat at Higher Taste in DTLB, it’s a vegan restaurant and I love their milkshakes so much! Parkers Lighthouse has quality seafood! Try the east coast and west coast oysters! I recommend the Executive Suite for the queer nightlife. Check out the Bluff as well! It’s a grassy area where you can overlook the beach.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a shout-out to all my friends and my family that truly have supported me along my journey whether it’s my journey through my exploring of my gender/sexuality all the way to supporting me through my artistic endeavors. I want to thank my ancestors for guiding me and holding me through all my hardships because I am truly held by them.

Instagram: https://Kyro.the.artist

Image Credits
Headshot photos by Ace Christensen