Carol Durant – An Xperience Interview

By Chad Koenig.

I am talking with Albany native, poet, and playwright Carol Durant, who is promoting her debut play, “Drive To Live in Albany,” which will be performed on Friday, May 29th at 7 pm, and Saturday, May 30th, at 4 pm and 7 pm at the Interfaith Sanctuary, located at 959 Madison Ave. in Albany on the former College of Saint Rose campus.

RRX: Ms. Durant, you are an accomplished member of our community. Tell everyone about yourself and the work you have done.

Carol Durant: I appreciate that kind sentiment. It’s great to be a part of our community and to give back. I have written a pair of poetry books. They are on your favorite platform to buy books on. Just type in Carol Durant, and they should pop right up. I like to attend community theater, support my friends, and go to as many concerts as my pocketbook will allow. I love history, local and beyond, and supporting our wonderful local art scene.

I also enjoy hosting events, and appreciate being able to talk to people, and more importantly, listen to them

RRX: You have been tirelessly working on your debut play, “Drive To Live In Albany.” Tell us about it.

CD: It’s a play about a black family, set in 1952. Two of the family members are entrepreneurs who live in Albany, while the other four members live in Harlem. The Albany members are very, very, very insistent on having their Harlem family members visit and eventually want to move to Albany.

I was honored to receive a grant from Advance Albany County Alliance as one of two individual artists. I value the opportunity to present my work and further the economy, hospitality, and tourism that the arts provide to the community.

RRX: How many cast members do you have involved with this play?

CD: Six very talented individuals who are a pleasure to work with.

RRX: Are your cast members playing double duty as crew, or do you have a separate team of them?

CD: A couple of people are doing double duty. I wanted our director and stage manager to provide a learning environment for anyone to participate as they choose.

The co-directors are Sheilah London- Miller, who, along with Amelia Paul, I have known from the Black Theater Troupe of Upstate NY, and Hasson Harris Wilcher, who has become a new friend. Susan Preiss will be doing the lights for the show, and Jacqui Anscombe-Waring is in control of our sound. Jacob Bell is our set designer. Jeffery Torres is our photographer.

RRX: Who are the actors and how do you know them?

CD: Leo D’Juan, Regina Wright-Thompson, Q-ubilah Sales, Xavier Lake, Alvin Kerr, and Dawn Harris. They are the talented cast. Some I have known forever, and some I did not know at all. But they took the leap of faith with me, and I did with them. We are all enjoying this wonderful journey together.

RRX: Are there biographical qualities to this play?

CD: Yes. From conversations with my own family, as well as friends and mavens of the Capital District.

RRX: That’s fantastic to hear that you are using the space available at the old Saint Rose campus.

CD: It’s great to have the opportunity to be on the former Saint Rose Campus to provide economically priced entertainment for the community.

(Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children or students 18 and under, and can be found at https://www.simpletix.com/e/drive-to-live-in-albany-tickets-269710.)

RRX: Wonderful. I wish you the best of luck with this. Do you have any last words for the readers?

CD:  I would like to thank everyone, starting with the cast and crew who provided their time and talents, and who worked tirelessly to make this effort real. And special thanks to everyone who supported this project by sharing the links, purchasing tickets, creating, promoting, providing a service, or just giving their positive energy. It made a difference, and I am forever grateful to all.