I ask artists who they are inspired by and more often than not the name Jean-Michel Basquiat is mentioned. Jean-Michel Basquiat was one of the very most prolific visual artists who left this earth too soon, but at least he, thankfully, left an imminent mark on the art world. When I studied theatre at Howard University and at Northwestern University, my professors often reminded us that the thing that was most required was the suspension of disbelief and open imagination. In order to do this, we were taught to do two things: 1) Keep a journal because you can refer to it to remember your feelings/emotions and 2) Play. Child play is the most imaginative form of theatre. Remember being a child and having a mind un-polluted with all that we now know?  You had the most fun of your life when you transformed a bed sheet into a tent or when your closet became a elevator. As actors, in order to revert back to our fun childish ways, we played “theatre games.” These theatre games were created by a woman, affectionately known as the “American Grandmother of Improvisational Theatre.” The games aided in helping children, theatre students, and even comedians let go of their inhibitions and unlock their capacity for self-expression. Genius work comes from those who know how to let go and let their thoughts run free. A new film that recently won a Grand Jury award at the Sundance film festival allows you to see a true genius a work, Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child (see trailer below). Actors have Viola Spolin. Artists have Jean-Michel Basquiat. Who inspires you to let your imagination run wild?

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