TYLER CRUZ QSTNS
Q
Who Are You Today?
A
An inquiring mind; an appreciator of beauty; a traveler; a semi-secret science nerd; a proud Afro-Caribeña island gyal; a professional toe-er of the line between order and chaos (although today I dipped further into the chaos than I intended, but alas, sometimes the problem solving skills need to be tested!)
One of my grad school drama teachers told me he thinks I can will myself into just about anything – and that remains a pretty accurate defining feature. When I really want something, I enter a zone for days, or years, until I feel like I have dedicated every fiber of my being towards whatever it is that I want.
Right now what’s simmering is creating a sustainable artistic life on my own terms, in the midst of all of the disorder and chaos and injustice in the world.
I simply refuse to leave this life not having shared everything I have to give and not having learned as much as I can about what it means to love and be loved in all its forms.
Q
What Are You Excited About ?
A
There are a few very specific things I’m excited to dive into /continue practicing this year : a new painting series, short story writing, fluent Portuguese (this is ambitious, but I’m committed), and a visual storytelling project with a best friend that we’ve been talking about for ages. I’m also excited to witness my friends continuing to expand into the world. I find myself in an era where many of my friends are at a tipping point in their various vocations, and are experiencing their ideas become reality, on their own terms, after years of dreaming and training and hustle.
I have many creative friends – actors, writers, and dancers, as well as doctors, lawyers, and entrepreneurs, who are all world-builders in their own right. The depth of their imagination and care, and the action to match is so inspiring and makes me more optimistic for the future that we collectively build.
Q
What Do You Do for Fun ?
A
Dance and dance and dance some more. Dance alone, dance with friends, dance in the house, in the club, on the beach – it truly doesn’t matter. When I’m looking for joy I’ll dance to just about anything, just about anywhere – 80’s pop, reggaeton, Brazilian funk, house, salsa, soca, and so on.
If there is a specific style with some of kind of steps that I don’t know, I’ll just throw myself into the deep end. And when the rhythm finally takes over and my body has fully accepted the invitation to whatever journey the music is offering, it’s the closest to what I imagine flying to feel like.
Q
Something Underrated ?
A
Witty banter! Where is the cheeky repartee these days? It’s becoming a lost art, I fear.
Q
Something Overrated ?
A
Phones. Don’t facetime, don’t call, don’t text, don’t voice message... live appointments and letters only.
Q
Unsolicited Advice ?
A
Don’t wait for permission – or rather give yourself permission to do whatever that thing is that you want to do or explore. It doesn’t need to make sense to anyone else.
