Is it difficult keeping the different people you play separate and distinct?

No, because of the dearth of information available, which is a double-edged sword. I usually only know the man’s name, his age at the time he worked here and his job.

From an artistic standpoint, that’s exciting because we’re able to fill in the blanks in his history creatively. But it’s also disheartening that we know so little about these men because of the way society viewed them.

What is your background?

I’ve been acting for about 10 years in regional theater. Recently I acted in “The Parchman Hour” in Norfolk and “Blues for Mister Charlie” at the University of Richmond. I also wrote and starred in a play, “The Top of Bravery,” produced last year. I tied for the best actor award from the Richmond Theater Critics Circle for my performance, and the production got an award for outstanding original work.

Did you know you wanted to act at an early age?

I wanted to be a poet and set the world on fire with my writing. At my high school, the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts and Technology, I tried acting only because it was something I hadn’t done.

I was cast in two one-act plays in a play festival there and really liked it. I was still into poetry in community college, but I didn’t find many poetry events, so I looked for something else related to the arts. I answered a casting call, got a part in another play, and left school and switched paths.