Mai’s Story
I’ve had the pleasure of performing on noted stages throughout the upstate New York region including The Irish Classical Theatre Company, Paul Robeson Theatre, Alleyway Theatre and The Lancaster Opera House before heading to New York City. There I performed on various stages including New Worlds Theater, HarlemStage, Theater for the New City, New Federal Theatre and The National Black Theater. NBT became my second forever home where I again learned the “business” of the craft from another remarkable trailblazer in theater, Dr. Barbara Ann Teer. My time in New York City was rich, allotting me time and opportunity to study with masters of the craft, including award winning actor, director and writer Petronia Paley, (one of the pioneering African-Americans in soap operas), distinguished Tony Award winner, Trezana Beverly and phenomenal actress and coach Rosalyn Coleman Williams.
While in NYC, I also greatly cherished my time as a longstanding member of the live sketch show, American Candy, (the brainchild of comedian Hollie Harper), originally performing out of the famed Gotham Comedy Club in Manhattan before making its home at the South Oxford Performance Space in Brooklyn. This was by far one of my favorite creative spaces as an artist. Since then, some of my work has been featured in The Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, The HBO NY Latino Film Festival, The BHERC African American Film Festival, The Oscar Micheaux Film Festival, Urban Media Makers Film Festival, Paris International Film Festival and more.
Acting has always been what I know. For me, it’s a familiar space that ironically teaches you to explore what you don’t know about self and others. It’s what makes me feel most alive. The stage, and camera challenges an artist to reckon with self; and the fears, fun and humility that come with wielding the power and privilege of embodying someone else’s story for the world to see. Shaping a character or moment for the purpose of bringing individuals closer to identifying our shared human experiences while celebrating our differences is pure unadulterated joy and always purpose driven. My well is deep from a “Big Life” lived with “Freedom” and purpose— I’m poised to draw from all of it and eager to experience how my journey will continue to allow me to bring stories to life.
I’m a proud HBCU alumnus of Morgan State University holding a B.A. in Communications with a dual concentration in Theatre & Television Production. I also hold an M.B.A. with a specialization in Media Management from Metropolitan College of New York. I’m a member of both SAGAftra and the Actor's Equity Association (AEA). I currently live in L.A. with my husband and two children. When I’m not acting, I love being outdoors, hiking, writing, dancing, and just being thankful to GOD for the life He’s given me!
AZADI (FREEDOM in Urdu)
As early as the age of eight, I was performing in my grandmother’s teen theater company, The African American Heritage Players in Rome. Yes! I have lived in Rome. Ok,…not Italy,..New York, but Rome nonetheless, and it was the highlight of my summers as a child.
Then throughout my own teenage years, I became a member of improv theater troupes performing throughout the United States Virgin Islands (U.S.V.I.), the place I affectionately call home. We would rehearse and perform at local schools, conferences and political events about the dangers of drug use, teen pregnancy and gang violence.
Having the privilege of living on both St. Croix and St. Thomas and the wisdom of surviving two life-altering hurricanes, Hugo and Marilyn, I graduated and headed mainland to further my craft at Morgan State University, in Baltimore, MD and then onto Buffalo, New York where I cut my teeth in theater.
Working with the esteemed Lorna C. Hill’s Ujima Theatre Company would be the start of my professional career encompassing stage, commercials and independent film.
