Actor Darryl Stephens will be part of the local scene Sunday, Feb. 13, when he will be part of "Art & Soul: The Eargasmic Experience" at Circuit. Stephens—featured in the TV series Noah's Arc and films such as Boy Culture—discussed the impact of the Logo show, closeted actors and marriage equality.
Windy City Times: What led you to be part of "Art & Soul: The Eargasmic Experience?"
Darryl Stephens: The people who run "Art & Soul" asked me, presumably because they're aware of my general interest in HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. I haven't seen my Chicago friends in five years; It should be fun.
WCT: I've seen you in the films Circuit and Boy Culture. Of course, you're best known for the Logo series Noah's Arc. At the time, did you realize how groundbreaking the series was—and that you would impact as many people as you have?
DS: It's impossible to know how a show is going to be received. The public can be a fickle beast. We expected, at the very least, that the show would be popular with Black gay men. Ironically, most of the negative responses that I heard early on came from Black men who thought we were somehow demeaning them by depicting gay men as anything other than hyper-masculine and "unclockable." I think as the show went on, they were able to see the characters beyond their hairstyles and their clothes. The biggest surprise to me was the show's female fan base. Noah's Arc fans are the best.
WCT: [ Noah's Arc creator/director ] Patrik-Ian Polk seems like an outspoken individual with a specific vision. What has it been like working with him?
DS: Patrik's choice to make the show's hero the sweet, fashion-forward romantic was pretty bold.
The general consensus in Hollywood was and still is that gay men should be depicted as normal guys who just happen to be gay. This show wasn't pulling any punches. You weren't watching this show and wondering if the characters might or might not be. The idea that a so-called sissy could be the hero was extremely brave. I feel like that unapologetic approach to sharing "who we are" is a through-line in all of Patrik's work. It's always interesting to see what he comes up with.
WCT: Did you feel that you had responsibilities to the gay and African-American communities when filming Noah's Arc that helped shaped your acting/role?
DS: While I was working on the show, I didn't feel any obligation beyond the character and the story and Patrik's vision. I didn't take the role with the intention of becoming a role model; none of us did. The characters are all flawed and human, even in the context of our little chocolate gay fantasy world. If we had been worried about "responsibilities to our communities," we wouldn't have been able to work. We're actors telling stories—that's all.
WCT: I hear from people who hope there will be more Noah's Arc. Have we seen the last of Noah?
DS: I don't know if we've seen the last of Noah. There has been a lot of talk. As soon as there is real news, I'm sure you'll hear about it.
WCT: Several actors, including Richard Chamberlain and Rupert Everett, have said that gay actors should stay in the closet for the sake of their careers. What are your thoughts on the subject?
DS: I don't think anybody should stay in the closet. It's a miserable place to be. I have been out of the closet in my personal life since my first year of college. The decision to come out publicly was far more difficult for me because it required that I make peace with the possibility that I may not work in my chosen field. That being said, I knew I would have a more rewarding life as an actor if I did not have to constantly lie or dodge the question. Having to balance all of that in the midst of trying to be good at my job always seemed unnecessarily difficult. If I lose a gig because I came out of the closet, I probably didn't want to work with those people, anyway.
WCT: What do you think of "mainstream" shows that feature prominent gay characters, such as Glee and Modern Family? Do you feel like Noah's Arc has paved the way for any other programs?
DS: I think every single gay TV character is bringing us closer to a world where sexual orientation won't be an issue. What's great about the shows you mentioned is that they are aimed at the mainstream and they are humanizing the gay community in ways most of America hasn't seen.
Noah was great for the folks who happened to be watching Logo. But for people who need their medicine hidden in something sweet, the storyline of an out gay kid being bullied in his high school and having his macho dad come to his defense is revolutionary.
WCT: Out of curiosity, would you consider a reality show that examined your life?
DS: I personally don't see any point to reality shows beyond hawking wares. If I had something to sell that a reality show could help publicize, then maybe. But the idea of being on television just to be on television doesn't appeal to me at all. I'm working on an album and a book now, but sitting and watching me write at a coffee shop doesn't seem like good TV to me.
WCT: Is there any actor's career you would like to emulate? What's next for you, career-wise?
DS: I know that my career trajectory is already so different from any other actor's, just because of all the gay work I've done. As a Black actor, there's no one I can look to and say, "Yes, I'd like the rest of my career to look like his." My friend Wilson Cruz is the only successful actor I can think of, but I know right now, he's just as hungry for a real gig as I am. It's hard out here for a pimp.
But I love Will Smith. I enjoy his work and I really dig his approach to life. He doesn't believe in having a Plan B. Success is the only option. I feel like I could really benefit from embracing that perspective.
WCT: I've read that you're quite politically active. Do you feel that marriage equality will be achieved nationally in your lifetime?
DS: The fact that marriage equality continues to be an issue confounds me. How am I paying the same taxes and observing the same laws as my heterosexual brother without reaping the same benefits of our American citizenship? As an American, I am promised freedom of religion. If I don't happen to prescribe to that version of that religion, then the opposing argument doesn't have a leg to stand on.
It's embarrassing that the debate has gone on this long. But honestly, I am more concerned about the impact of marriage equality on future generations. As a kid, marriage was never even an option in my mind. I'm open to the idea now, but most people my age have already suffered the damage of not believing they're worthy of that level of commitment. But imagine how the possibility of a stable monogamous relationship, recognized by our families and society, will change the ways young gay people see themselves and approach their relationships. It's going to be beautiful—and, yes, I plan on being here long enough to see it.
No Wire Hanger Productions has teamed with the Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus and Test Positive Aware Network to host "Art & Soul: The Eargasmic Experience" Sunday, Feb. 13, at Circuit Nightclub, 3641 N. Halsted. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.; speed dating begins at 6 p.m.; and the show starts at 7 p.m. Admission for this event is $10.
