“Everything happens for a reason.” A fond saying I am proud to share in my interview with Tyler Susan Jennings. Tyler Jennings was just accepted for the Children’s Theatre Company Apprenticeship for the 2024-2025 cohort. Jennings will spend the next year participating in named roles and workshops on new works. But, the journey to this esteemed opportunity may not have been as simple as it seems.
Jennings, Brooklyn-born, moved to Georgia to live with her family during middle school, where she was raised and spent her time at Spelman College. During our conversation, one of the biggest takeaways I got from Jennings is that life may take you through a course that is least expected. I asked her about her Spelman journey, and she communicated that Spelman was not on her radar. At the time, she was headstrong returning to New York, where she hoped to attend The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).
While being forced by her mother, Jennings did her research on Spelman, and she fell in love with the culture after spending time in predominantly white institutions. It was nice to see “Black girls doing Black girl things and just thriving,” she said. After being accepted into AMDA and Spelman, she was unsure of her college choice. During this time, she decided to pray, asking God for guidance. “God, please let me know. What should I do? What do I need to do? Even though AMDA is my dream school, I am really feeling called to Spelman,” recites Jennings Matthew 7:7-8.
It took three days for Jennings to make her decision. Within those three days, her grandmother had a stroke, and she knew she wanted to stay close to her. She rescinded her offer to AMDA and thus began her journey to Spelman, allowing her grandmother to see her walk across the stage during graduation.
Jennings said that she has no regrets about attending Spelman. “I don’t regret it one bit. Four years of Spelman really shaped me into the woman I am today. It gave me amazing opportunities, opened networks, and I saw myself in a different light than I would’ve ever had.” She looks back on her experience with great pride, thinking, “Spelman shapes the nation.”
Following her career, she states Spelman has also allowed her to walk into rooms knowing she belongs there. Jennings says, “I deserve to take up space.” She thinks women should “be larger than life, regardless of the situation, and be your most authentic self no matter what anyone else says. You know you’re giving it your all.”
Jennings explains that Black women have such a unique perspective on how the world works, especially with art. “The life experiences that Black women have can create such nuance through the way that art is displayed. Spelman has taught me to show up as authentically as I can.” She explains that the Children’s Theatre Company sold her by echoing authenticity and helping trailblazing young artists even beyond the realm of theatre. The company pioneers many new works, giving a lot of young playwrights and actors some of their first chances in professional theatre, which goes on to promote their careers and beyond. “Theatre allows you the opportunity to be yourself and be free,” she states.
Before ending the call, I asked Jennings to share any advice for the women attending Spelman, “Just keep going. Spelman is hard, we all know that. Sometimes, we can feel a little daunted by the fight,” she jokes, “but that’s okay. What matters is that you keep showing up. As long as you keep showing up, you keep putting yourself out there, and continue to do the work, you will bear results. A Spelman woman can do absolutely anything she puts her mind to.” (Galatians 6:9, NIV)
