Q&A with Jayla Chanel Dyas
Q: What brought you to Mosaic?
A: I remember, my school took a field trip to one of the Mosaic student matinees and during the whole performance so much joy filled my heart and there was this longing in me that wanted to be up there with them, so I decided to audition! A funny thing that most people don’t know is I auditioned for Mosaic my freshman year of high school and I didn’t get in. I got a little discouraged after that but after a couple years of growth and confidence gained, I decided to audition again my junior year and was accepted!
Q: What’s the most impactful thing you learned/gained through your participation in Mosaic?
A: Through Mosaic I strengthened my passion for the performing arts. The program of course is very rigorous and can be daunting at times but it made me appreciate that craft even more and it became something that I felt I got to do versus something I felt I had to do. It was rewarding. Mosaic also granted me the space to explore and know that it’s okay to look crazy/goofy, sometimes that’s what the work requires. Lastly the main thing that I’m definitely seeing the benefits of in my collegiate career is maintaining professionalism in an artistic space. There’s an interesting shift between a professional space, such as Mosaic, and what an unprofessional space looks like, and I appreciate Mosaic for educating me on how to maintain professionalism.
Q: Did you attend college? Where’d you go? How did your Mosaic experience support you in college?
A: I am currently a Senior at Spelman College. Mosaic has honestly been the foundation for my artistry throughout my college career. I came into the collegiate space already having a wide range of knowledge and understanding in relation to the craft because of my time with Mosaic and it has allowed me to be a part of shifting how theater is produced and performed. Mosaic has been able to fill in some of the areas that my institution has not been able to fill and with that I’m also able to be a representation for my peers.
Q: What are you up to now? Is there anything about your Mosaic experience that you carry with you in your work? In life?
A: I am currently finishing up my undergrad degree at Spelman, thinking about what my next steps will be post-graduation and I recently completed the Theatermakers Summer Acting Intensive through the National Theater Institute at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center this past summer. The main thing I want to carry with me as I progress in life is to continue creating art that engages, transforms, and inspires.
Q: What, if any, difference/impact has Mosaic made in Detroit? In the world?
A: I definitely believe that Mosaic has created a safe space for minority young artists to improve their craft and develop skills that can be applied not only within performance but in everyday life. As we know, most public schools in minority communities don’t have access to performing arts education and Mosaic has been that opportunity for so many young artists in Detroit. It is an empowering space, not only for the young artists, but also for everyone that has been touched by the work that is done there. Young artists are also held to a high standard so that they understand what this industry calls for, there aren’t any handouts which I believe is why alumni have gone on to be so successful because we have been trained to put in the work for the thing we love to do.
Q: Please finish the phrase “Mosaic is…”
A: …a dynamic change agent for the future with influence that reaches beyond the Detroit community.
