Today we’d like to introduce you to Thomas King
Hi Thomas, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Many people know me as TeKay. It’s Thomas King made into one word. Think of it as Madonna, Sting, or Prince.
There are almost too many stories of “me” to tell. My life has revolved around communication, arts, education and technology for as long as I can remember. I have careers and adventures in so many industries and avenues, but they have all seemed to lead me to my current pathway as a professor and performer. I’m originally from a medium-sized town that used to be known for its textile plant in North Carolina. I’m a graduate of UNC and UofM. I’ve performed on nearly every continent and hope to cap off Australia and South America in the near future (I like the cold, but I’m not jonesing to get to Antarctica, though). My first acting and singing moments were done in the church back in the day, performing with my grandmother in the choir and for the congregation during Children’s Day, But I didn’t catch the bug until sixth grade when I was lucky enough to win training as a mime for a workshop and got to perform with the troupe for the school. I was valedictorian in high school, so education has always been important to me. It would have made sense to go directly into teaching, but life can’t always be that simple.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t know how many people have had smooth roads to get to where they are today. My biggest achievements and major successes often came as the result of my greatest failures or major obstacles.
I’ve been on the brink of homelessness twice in my life, relying on the grace of the Universe and some very amazing friends to make it through. My life was uprooted twice as a child. having moved to a new state and new family structure time and again. I’m a cancer survivor and know that I’m blessed to still be here. I’ve been shot at twice and obviously am still here to tell the tale. I’m glad I was able to crawl through windows and hide behind bushes when I was younger.
As an example, back in 2013, I was both underemployed and struggling to keep a roof over my head. I’d been working in digital marketing and technology for a while but was having a hard time finding a new job, so the savings were dwindling. A friend talked to me about applying to become an adjunct professor at SWTCC. I thought that it was a great opportunity to do something that I’d always been passionate about but had gotten off the education track a generation prior. That decision has now manifested in my becoming the artistic director and program coordinator for theatre at my school. Plus, getting an MFA for free! Actual dreams that I had while an undergraduate back in the 90s. So had it not been for being unemployed and having to pivot…I would not be living my true self today.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My art is my work. I’m a professional performer as well as an educational professional. As a job, I lead a theatre program teaching local college students about theatre: history, acting, playwriting, performance studies, interpretation, voice, public speaking and media writing. I use both of my Masters’ degrees in my everyday life. Oh yeah, I have an MA in Communication Studies (Performance and Media) — also free — that I use in the classroom. I direct shows at school and help liaise with local non-profits and organizations with events.
As a performer, I sing and act on the regular around town and as mentioned, around the world. Currently, I’m the Performance Director for DeltaCappella, a 12-member a cappella group. We’ve performed across the US as well as in Canada and China. We even had a major composition created for us called “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” written by Michael Ching, the former artistic director of Opera Memphis. It is an a cappella opera that we got to perform at Playhouse on the Square with artists from around the country. I even got a mention in the Wall Street Journal for my performance as Flute/Thisbe.
I am a 3x Ostrander-nominated director and have won Best Ensemble awards for the play “5 Women Wearing the Same Dress” at SWTCC and the musical “Ordinary Days” at the UofM. I got to work with playwright and Broadway performer Paul Oakley Stovall by directing the regional premiere of his play “Immediate Family” at Theatre Memphis.
Recently, I performed in the world premiere of “The Story of Us” with fellow Broadway and Hollywood performers Max von Essen, Phil McAdoo, E. Patrick Johnson and the “Voice of the Oscars” Janora McDuffie. Other Broadway performances include staged concerts of “Children of Eden” and “Pippin” with Stephen Schwartz and the limited run engagement of “Oliver!” for the Irish Rep.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Gosh, I have a long list of people I could thank, but some major players–who know what they’ve done–include Jared Johnson, Gina Clark, Wade Murphy, Jay Mednikow, Mark Hartman, Kia Patrece, Lisa Coleman, Patsy Fancher, Tangela Cruse, my grandparents, aunt, sister, and mom and dad.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tekay.org
- Facebook: https://fb.com/tekayinternational
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYX7HeJZ-g01Flv4AQHAt6A
- Other: https://www.deltacappella.com
