Today we’d like to introduce you to Siddeeqah Shabazz.
Hi Siddeeqah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m originally from California, and I moved to Minnesota to work as an actor with Climb Theatre; and stayed with Climb for 2 years. After my contract was up, I needed more work, and while auditioning around the Twin Cities, I met another actor James Williams and reached out to him to see if there was a show I could audition for. He didn’t have a show, but he suggested I’d work for the summer program at Pillsbury House+Theater(Ph+T) as a teaching artist. This was new territory for me, and I didn’t know what a teaching artist was. I’ve never heard the term, but I figured I could do it after I found out. Before moving to Minnesota, my day job was working at a library and leading and planning the baby/toddler storytime activities and a few other activities for teens. I interviewed with Ph+T and didn’t get the permanent teaching artist job, but I did get a guest teaching artist job, which meant I was there a few days a week. My intention was always to be a full-time actor, and I wasn’t sure this job was for me, but I needed work, and I knew I could do it. It turned out I loved it. I learned a lot about myself as a teacher, as an artist, and as a person. Though I wasn’t onstage, I was still making art and creating a space where the youth I worked with took center stage.
I also learned to be flexible and to move inside the work. When my classes were over, I stayed and watched how the other teaching artists worked at Ph+T, gaining more knowledge, techniques, and experience. At the end of that summer, I was offered the Teen Program Specialist job, where I planned and led all the teen and junior high programming. I stayed at Ph+T for 5 years and became the Teen Programming Coordinator. I led programming that included service learning, college prep, creating and writing performances, sewing, managing our Step-Up interns, and co-leading summer programming. After leaving Pillsbury House +Theater, I worked at the Guthrie for 3 years as the Education Program Manager. I managed all our teaching artists in Twin Cities and Cloquet schools. I organized and executed all our student matinees, created a theatre-based curriculum for classes and teachers, and co-organized the summer arts program.
Working at the Guthrie was yet another time of growth for me, and I found my skillset stretched in many ways. I also became more confident in work I was doing and in the work I was capable of doing. I didn’t know the slight change in my life of becoming a teaching artist would lead me on the trajectory I am on now. I am currently the Executive Director of Kulture Klub Collaborative; we engage art and artistic practice to provide enriching multidisciplinary opportunities for youth experiencing homelessness and professional artists to grow individually and transform a community. We use art to build our youth’s skills like communication, collaboration, and writing, to name a few. We also foster the artistic interests and talents they bring to the table and use art as self-expression for what they are going through. We also provide stipends and paid internships to our youth. This population is often unseen, ignored, and overlooked, and I am proud to be one of the supporters in amplifying their voice and visibility. Don’t get me wrong. I have moved more behind the scenes in my career. I am still an actor. Through all this time, I have acted in many shows. I am also a burgeoning playwright and director who will perform a show I’ve written at Open Eye Theatre on Sept. 9-11, 16-17th. And I am also currently assistant directing my second show with Full Circle Theater.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a smooth road?
Things have been pretty smooth along the way. The biggest struggle was during the height of the COVID pandemic. I lost my job at the Guthrie for a short period and then was re-hired, but we had to reimagine what arts education looked like since we couldn’t meet in person. My job changed completely, and I focused on online classes and workshops. We made it work, but there was severe burnout from being on the computer for so many hours a week that our numbers dropped in participation, and we had to find new ways to be just as dynamic onscreen as we were in person.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I think what sums me up is I’m an artist. I am an actor and burgeoning playwright and director. Theatre is what I’m great at and where I excel as an artist. My 20+ years as an actor have taught me how to be professional, communicate, and find new ways to create and embody a character. I am also a teaching artist, and I work well with youth. I am great at connecting with them and keeping their confidence. I am also the Executive Director of Kulture Klub Collaborative, and I think I am most proud of this. Being an ED is something I didn’t know I could do or would want to do. I am still very close to the arts. Still, I can support youth who are experiencing homeless to access a multitude of artistic mediums and find their voice, and it’s really beautiful to witness. What sets me apart from others is the connection I make with those around me. When I hear people talk about me, it is with a smile and love, and I hope that’s a part of what I leave behind on the earth.
We love surprises, fun facts, and incredible stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I am an open book regarding my interests and hobbies, from crocheting and sewing to being a Harry Potter and Doctor Who enthusiast. When first meeting me, people won’t know I am an adventurer, and I like to experience extreme activities like skydiving, parasailing, and zip lining. Even after getting to know me, I think most people probably don’t know I am 1 of 11 siblings, and I have a twin brother; none of us are alike, but we all get along well.
Contact Info:
- Website:www.kultureklub.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kultureklub/
Image Credits
Gina Gomez for the images where I’m wearing the same outfit
