Student Spotlight: Christopher-Elizabeth Boyd
Christopher-Elizabeth Boyd (they/them) is a third year student in the Production program. As a playwright, musician, artist, technician and newly-transferred student to the School of Performance, Chris-Liz is always working on something interesting and new. Read below to learn more about their work, inspirations and contributions to our school.
Photo by Em Quenneville. @sourjellyking on Instagram.
What are you currently working on? How does your diversity affect this work?
I'm always working on several projects at a time, and it's a lot of back and forth when I don't have a deadline, so right now, I'm working on writing my first album, developing a few plays and for my sound design class, I'm experimenting with different ways of intervening in some field recordings I collected - including sampling, storytelling and creating visual elements.
Every story and work that comes from my body is diverse. There are details that a poor, neurodivergent, non-binary, Afro-Indigenous storyteller named Christopher-Elizabeth may notice that someone else may not. This has manifested in unique interpretations of scripts, a strange vocal style, and writing experimental plays. Sometimes it will be a direct commentary on my identity, and sometimes it won't. Even if they aren't necessarily a direct commentary, they reflect who I am. Often I write about colonial violence, and other times I write about longing. Sometimes I write about them in the same sentence. Other times I don't.
What drew you to the School of Performance, and how does your diversity affect your experience at school?
I was drawn to the production program. I just thought it was rad that there is a program dedicated to theatre production. I've been doing it since I was in high school, and I don't have any intention of stopping. I'm still too new to know [how my diversity affects my experience at school], but moving to Toronto and seeing more people that look like I do, makes me feel a lot more comfortable being, dressing and acting like myself than I did at home.
Do you have anyone you admire? This can be either in day-to-day life or as an artist, or both.
Cliff Cardinal (external link) . Full stop.
As someone who's always doing too much, I'm encouraged by seeing someone who can do as much as Cliff Cardinal. And to do everything so well. The way he uses subversion as a storytelling method is aspirational, and I hope to create theatre as compelling as his retelling of As You Like It.
Are there any support systems you would like to share with incoming students?
Ryerson Aboriginal Student Services is an excellent resource for any Indigenous student coming to The Creative School. They have talking and healing circles, a mentorship program, and lunches for those who need them.
Any advice?
People want to help you, and everybody wants you to do well and succeed. So look for your mentors, and do the things you're passionate about. I promise that you'll get far.