Meet Monaliese-Rose Davis | Performance Artist/Poet

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

Hi Monaliese-Rose, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
Theatre makes me happy. It’s always made me happy because it’s been the reason I’ve kept living. I’ve been doing theatre since I was 7 years old. The stage was a place where I was able to have fun and simply be free. At 30 years old, pursuing my Bachelors in Theatre Arts (minoring in Africana Studies) has been so fufilling. It’s had it’s challenges and as an actor I expect that. But this has truly been my outlet and life force to advocate for social change. I’m very picky when it comes to shows that I’m in.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a performance artist and poet. I’ve been writing since I was 9 and acting since I was 7, I started dancing at 6 years old. I come from a family of artists. I used to be a very shy, quiet child but when I was on stage or around people I trusted I would open up wide and my personality would jump out! I went to a performing arts high school in Long Beach, Renaissance High School for the Performing Arts. I went there pursuing Theatre. I had dance classes as well, so I was also dancing there. I was in the musicals, dance shows, and regular plays. Going to that school really helped me thrive in my element. I was doing what I loved every single day! Once I graduated, that was a different story. I went to Long Beach City College at 2012/2013 and ended up dropping out due to life happening. I stopped performing for 10+ years and ended up falling into the trap of just working. I moved back to Long Beach in 2018 to take care of my father for 5 years and he ended up passing in 2023. After that, I knew I wanted to go back to school and get my Associates in Theatre Arts. I went back to Long Beach City College, relearned everything about Theatre, and fell in love with it all over again. I was in multiple shows! I was in She Kills Monsters directed by Collin Bressie, Anna in the Tropics directed by Mark Anthony Vallejo and other 1 Act productions at the school. I’m so grateful for their support in pushing me as an actor to get to where I am now. I graduated at 28 years old! (It is never too late to pursue your dreams) Now, I attend Calstate University of Dominguez Hills pursuing my Bachelors in Theatre Arts and Minoring in Africana Studies. I’ve been in 4 shows here already so far and I’ve been enjoying every minute of it.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d love to give a shout-out to my sibling Kyro, Mark Anthony Vallejo, my theatre community and my queer/trans community for just simply believing in me, supporting and uplifting me in all that I do. Their support has pushed and moved me to continue to do better, be better, and show up for myself and others.

Instagram: nalieserose

Other: substack:
https://sensitvemodernlesbian.substack.com/

Image Credits
Nancy Tran