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{IMAGE DESCRIPTION: A pink-and-orange backdrop. It is surrounded by a white frame. In bold white next at the top left are the words ‘James Flocker, He/They.’ Below that is a quote written in white font: “It can be so easy to feel small and on the sidelines, but arts and performing is one place where that is certainly not true. Spread your wings.’ To the right is a photograph of James Flocker- a Caucasian person with short purple hair. He wears a grey jacket, black shirt and earrings.}
Meet Penny & Pound performer, James Flocker (He/They!) Previously, James has been seen in such Penny & Pound productions as A NIGHTINGALE SANG (2019), THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK (2019), and YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU (2018.) James was also the rehearsal pianist for our 2018 presentation of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME.
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF
My name is James Flocker (he/they). I'm a writer, musician, and lover of fantasy in every medium from book to film to D&D.
WHEN DID YOU FIRST FALL IN LOVE WITH THE ARTS?
For me, it's not so much when I first fell in love with the arts. I can remember loving music and acting since I was a toddler. It's always fascinated me how people can tell stories in so many different ways.
AS A QUEER ARTIST, WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT YOU’VE LEARNED?
In regards to being queer itself, the arts have opened up countless avenues for personal expression and for carving out my own place to belong in the world. It's a way for us queer people to build a very unique and beautiful type of community.
HOW CAN THE ARTS COMMUNITY BETTER REPRESENT AND SUPPORT THE 2SLGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY?
Education is always key when it comes to the queer community. You can never learn too much or be too willing to listen. Everyone has a different story and experience, and we need to be willing to acknowledge and learn to distinguish the differences, and similarities, in us all.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLAY, MUSICAL OR BOOK THAT REPRESENTS THE 2SLGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY?
My favourite LBGT+ musical has to be Everybody's Talking About Jamie, a story about a teen drag queen. My favourite LGBT+ book is definitely The House In The Cerulean Sea, about a middle-aged office worker who discovers magic - and love - for the first time.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG PERFORMERS?
My advice for young performers, especially young queer performers, would be: don't let anyone make you feel like you don't belong. It can be so easy to feel small and on the sidelines, but arts and performing is one place where that is definitely not true. Spread your wings.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU?
For now, I'm working a full-time job, learning new small arts skills, and keeping in touch with hobbies and interests that keep my creativity alive.
James Flocker (Left) as Edith Frank in THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK (2019.)
Photo by Chloe Distel
{IMAGE DESCRIPTION: An onstage photograph of James Flocker (left) as Edith Frank, and Piper J. Distel (right) as Anne Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank. James sits in a chair, reading a letter. In the foreground is a golden menorah. Piper stands to their right, smiling.}
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