Artist Spotlight
Featuring: Ajara Alghali
Ajara Alghali is a Sierra Leonean-American artist whose work "explore[s] the kinship between the African Diaspora; lineage, community, and scholarship." Ajara is currently serving as the director of TeMaTe Institute for Black Dance and Culture.
How did you get started in the arts?
I feel like I've always been in the arts. I grew up dancing and making choreography. It was a time when I was not focused, but I never stopped dancing. I will always try to have dance in my life.
If you could direct/produce one show, what would it be and why?
Is this a new script or a show in existence? I don't know the actual show, but I know it would be a biopic. I love history.
If you could play one character in all of theatre or film, who would it be and why?
Indiana Jones, because I love that character. I have watched every movie at least 10 times each.
Name two artistic role models and why you look up to them.
Pearl Primus and Josephine Baker were game changers. Both rewrote history that was reflective of how they wanted to be represented and seen in the world. I want that for all people.
What did you want to be when you were a child? Are you fulfilling that dream?
Indiana Jones- to some degree, I am fulfilling that dream. I travel and meet new people, and experience new things. Just notas extractive as Indy. LOL
What is your artistic guilty pleasure?
I don't feel guilty about any of my artistic pleasures.
What role/show/experience on your resume is most memorable and why?
Filmmaker- I like to be able to share stories from another person's lens.
What is your dream for the Michigan Arts Community?
More cross-collaboration. In my dance productions, I would like to use more actors and singers. We need a place where we can create full performances. That will be my ongoing job.
