Name: Cassi Q Kohl
Type of Artist: Singer/Actor
Location: Seattle, WA
What mediums do you use for your art?
My body! As primarily an actor and vocalist, I use every little muscle on my body to create music and story. I think I would also include my prep materials as a necessary medium for my art as well! I have a pretty intricate mapping system for my audition prep and for my show maps that help me to track my arc and have a successful run of a show. I’d be nothing without my heavy cardstock, papermate flair pens, and pastel sharpie highlighters to track character and story.
What is your core inspiration for your art?
Besides being inspired to pay my bills? Just kind of kiddinggggg, hah! I’m most inspired by shapeshifters! The power of character development paired with direction/makeup/wig teams to make actors unrecognizable from show to show is so inspiring to me.
What do you think your role as an artist is in the community?
To be kind and uplift those around me. To connect with patrons in the lobby after shows. To do my part to create new fans of theatre for the next wave of support we need in this business. To show the younger acting generation that you can be a successful artist while still being authentic to your truth.
What would you like to see happen in the art world to include the LGBTQ+ community more?
More “casually queer” stories written by queer people for the musical theatre cannon. (Meaning, stories that do not have to center around queerness being the main theme which can lead to trauma porn or not having a “happily ever after”–but simply, typical people existing in storylines where they just so happen to be queer).
How has art impacted your life?
Theatre has given my life joy and structure. It has opened up new channels in my brain to explore and play in my life offstage as well. Music has given my body peace and release–singing often can feel like an other-worldly, spiritual experience in groups which is unlike anything else I’ve experienced. Being onstage has impacted my life for the better through the act of gathering and creating with so many different personalities to bring together a unified, ever-changing product.
Who are your favorite artists?
My favorite actors in town are Andi Alhadeff, Sarah Russell, Anne Allgood, Rachel Guyer-Mafune, Nalica Hennings, Sophia Franzella, Jasmine Jean Sim, and Keola Kapulani Holt, among many, MANY others. Favorite musician of all time is Joanna Newsom. I’ve also been deeply inspired by the theatrical self-portraiture from the photographers Yasumasa Morimura and Cindy Sherman.
Where can people see your art?
Follow me on Instagram @ThunderDyke to see what I’m up to next! Often playing around on a Seattle stage near you!
What does it mean to be a Queer artist to you?
Hmm…probably the same thing it means for me to have crooked pinkies? It’s just the DNA that I was blessed with. I’m happy to be a visible representation for the younger communities though…of people with crooked pinkies, that is 😉
