We had the good fortune of connecting with TOMEKA & TRAZ TILLER and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi TOMEKA & TRAZ, what role has risk played in your life or career?
We think that risk taking is very important. I mean, how would you know if something is going to work if you don’t jump out there and take the risk. Risk taking is what has helped us move forward with our company. People often tell us that our productions are risky. We have one that we call “HO” and it has a very powerful message in it. Some people think its offensive but you can’t judge a book by its cover. You literally have to see the play to know the meaning behind it. We also believe in presenting our productions in a very raw and real way. If this is how it happen in the streets, this is how it will go down in the productions. We like to bring real life to the stage. HO has what we call ladies in the night in it. They dress the part, They act the part. HO has been called raunchy and a few people walked out, but those that stayed threw the whole thing “got it”!
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Founded in 2012, Tillervision Productions LLC has maintained a reputation of bringing amazing shows to the stage. What excites us most about our productions is that they are pretty unique compared to others. We try to bring “out of the box” experiences to the stage meaning when you come to our productions you never know what your going to get. I guess you can say we are a tab bit unorthodox because we don’t play by the rules. I think we got to where we are just by being who we are. Honest and true to our craft and not conforming to what others think we should be doing. It certainly was not easy because all great things require, time, money and sacrifice but hey, that ever stopped us! We of the most important things we have learned along the way is that no one can stop or stagnate us but ourselves. You can come up with a million excuses as to why you can’t do something or you can just take what you do have, put some faith on it and do it!
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Wherever there are crab legs! That’ where we will be! No honestly we spend a lot of time a home with friends because when have turned out space into our own cornucopia! There’s plenty to do at our home like…well there’s…and we…just kidding :). But we do have a lot of fun in our own space but if we go out we would probably go to Two Urban Licks Restaurant or skating.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Absolutely! We would like to dedicate this shoutout to the late Godfather of Urban Theater, Mr. Shelly Garrett and his beautiful wife Doris Garrett who have served as our mentors and have been tremendously encouraging on this journey,
Website: www.tillervision.com
Facebook: facebook.com/tillervision
Image Credits
Mel B. Elder Greg Thomas