I was created already predestined as an inspiration for the present generation. I was given my first name by my older brother, who at the time was six years old. My name is Arik, and it means noble leader. Ironically, I usually portray the role as the leader and mediator in my circle of friends. I believe it was God who premeditated my existence through my brother, and for that I’m so appreciative to abide under the power of God’s grace, which gives me favor and protects me daily. I was born March 4, 1990, that classifies my Zodiac sign as Pisces with a Gemini moon. The combination of both these signs characterizes me as an indecisive person.
My indecisiveness is most noticeable in my writing, when I have to give answers to subjective questions, and arguments. It tends to be difficult for me to express my opinions clearly. I guess it’s because I draw from so many different perspectives that it causes me to lose my voice as a writer. In Meredith’s class I hope to find my voice as a writer, through expressing my ideas in a clear and concise manner. Expressing the ideas of others has always been natural for me. Therefore, it’s not hard to understand why I made the decision to become an actor.
Acting has allowed me to go beyond the parameters of my own views into the perspectives of others. It’s become an outlet in which I channel my emotions when I become stressed. During the curtain call after my first performance, I walked out on stage and the audience applauded heavily. At that moment I realized I delivered a performance that was pleasing for people to watch. From this experience I knew I wanted to pursue acting as a career, and that’s why I’m attending college for a theatre education. The play A Raisin in the Sun is one of my favorite plays. Its a story about the classic black lower class family struggling to move into the middle class lifestyle. This material written by Lorraine Hansberry shows numerous motifs that illustrate the perseverance that most lower class (poor) families exhibit. The symbol in the play that intrigues me is the plant, which represents the dream and ambition that Mama (the grandmother of the family made up of Walter Lee (Mama’s son), Ruth (Walter Lee’s wife), Travis (Walter Lee’s son), and Beneatha (Mama’s daughter) has of being successful. Although the plant is old and worn it still has endured threw every problem it has faced. I understand life as the plant. I know what it's like to struggle, but to still have this drive to overcome all troubles. This drama motivated me and has given me strength to "keep on keeping on". I apologize if you think I wrote to much about this play. I wanted to write about something that has influenced my life.
“Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.” Oprah Winfrey
