Syreeta Banks leads ‘Dreamgirls’ to the Venice Theater

For actress Syreeta Banks, appearing courtesy of the Actors’ Equity Association in the Venice Theatre’s new production of Dreamgirls, the lead role of Effie White is a family affair.

Banks’ earliest memories of the theater stem from her mother’s production of the same Tony and Academy Award winning musical, which first premiered on Broadway in 1981. Since then, it’s launched revivals, tours and a 2006 feature film, captivating audiences on the silver screen and stage alike.

Watermark spoke with Banks about the Venice Theatre’s new production, what Effie means to the LGBTQ community and being compared to “two famous Jennifers,” namely Holiday and Hudson.

WATERMARK: What drew you to a life in the theater?

SYREETA BANKS: I’ve always wanted to be a singer. I also wanted to be the first African-American singing astronaut. But as I got older, it took me a while to really realize that I had enough talent to do anything mainstream. I would always sing in private growing up… my mom would hear me all the time.

My mom is actually the one who introduced theater to me and my brother. She has been doing community theater for well over 20 years. Dreamgirls was actually the first show that I remember her doing where I actually got involved as far as helping her learn her lines and choreography.

What was that like?

I would go to rehearsals with her sometimes and we would listen to the Broadway soundtrack in the car. It was always on while she was doing the show. So that was the one I just remember really learning, and I would go watch her and be like wow, this is really cool.

Everyone loves a diva, but what do you think draws the LGBTQ community to Dreamgirls?

Effie is always a fuller-figured black woman. She represents strength. I feel like we all like a little bit of sass. Effie’s also sensitive. And the fact that she was played by Jennifer Holiday initially, this amazing, killer, powerful voice.

“And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” is iconic.

That song was written specifically for her. It’s a song of hurt, of pain, of despair. Almost like a sense of insecurity too. It almost depends on how you interpret it. You can sing it so many different kinds of ways.

It’s a big song; it’s a larger-than-life song. There are a lot of times where I’m sure that we’ve wanted to say to someone, especially in the LGBTQ community, “you can judge me, you can feel whatever kind of way. But I’m telling you that I’m not going, I’m here to stay, and I’m gonna show you that you’re gonna love me.” You know what I mean? It’s an anthem. It’s a statement – it’s a powerful statement, so that in itself is what draws a lot of people to that song.

It gives them courage to say some of the things that they wish they could say but can’t.

Is that what draws you to her?

Oh my god, Effie. I have been anxious over this role for the past year. The song is such an iconic song and it’s been done by two Jennifer’s who have the most amazing voices. I thought, “people are gonna compare me.”

It’s a hard song to sing night after night. So much emotion goes into that song. I think that’s another thing that draws the LGBTQ community to that song. It’s like, “if I’m too much for you, I can’t be myself? This is who I am, but you’re trying to stifle me.”

All of that was daunting. Effie is everything that I am and everything that I’m not. And what helped me embrace Effie, I see instances where she is sensitive and she is loving. She just wants to be loved and she wants the best for herself and her friends. She’s tender.

What’s your favorite moment in the show?

When she sings “I Am Changing.” This is my theme song right now. When she realizes that she can’t do this by herself and needs a support system… she needs people to let her know that she is enough, that she can do this. That she can be successful.

She recognizes her own power, but in a different light. She doesn’t use her power to put people down or suppress people, she uses it to overcome. That’s what I like about her, too. She overcame all of that hurt and pain.

We spoke with the Venice Theatre’s Director of Diversity Kristopher Geddie about increasing diversity onstage in the area. Why do you feel representation is so important?

I’m glad that Kris is the director of diversity and that they made a position for that. Being in Sarasota, it is a predominantly white area, the artistic community is unfortunately predominantly white.

We have a lot of minorities who are here but don’t get the same opportunities to showcase their talents because of the types of shows that are traditionally done in the area.

There’s always talk about “color blind casting” in the theater world, but this is a predominantly white area and a lot of the people who sponsor shows have a lot of say as to what types of shows go in. And of course they’re not going to want to see a black Hello Dolly… anything that isn’t traditional or goes against the grain.

So it’s very important to have shows that offer more diversity, because it shows people that there are other shows out there that can be just as good and just as meaningful. It shows them that there’s a pool of talent that hasn’t even been tapped into.

Why do you think live theater is so important right now?

Live theater is just that: it’s live. It’s in the moment, it’s in your face, it’s right there. Any type of emotion or any type of feeling or overall theme can be felt instantaneously as you’re watching these actors pour into their characters to tell a story.

Anything can happen in live theater – wardrobe malfunctions, technical difficulties, all of those types of things which add to that magic. It allows you to improvise, to be present.

That’s what I love about it. In that moment, on that stage, underneath those lights, you are in the character and that character is in you and you are telling a story.

Film and television don’t necessarily offer you that. You can get take after take after take. In theater, there are no second takes; there are no do-overs. It’s just a reminder for everyone to just be present and be involved in the moment that you’re in: take it all in and enjoy the experience.

You can fall in love with Syreeta Banks in Dreamgirls now through March 18 at the Venice Theatre. For tickets or more information, call 941-488-1115 or visit VeniceStage.com

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