Singer and actress Yvette Monique Clark has performed on stages regionally, nationally and internationally. She’s performed iconic roles such as Nell (Ain’t Misbehavin’), BJ (Smokey Joe’s Cafe) and Mama Morton (Chicago). In the Fall of 2019, she debuted her first NYC cabaret, Let’s Give ‘Em Something to Talk About at the Duplex to two sold-out audiences. Clark has performed in the piano bar world via Kenney M. Green, who brought her to Marie’s Crisis Cafe; a few years later she became a singing server and says, “the rest is history.” Clark has been singing at Marie’s for over five years and is active in the venue’s online streaming program, of which she says, “It’s been an amazing experience to create this online community.” She performs on Sundays and Thursdays, from her Flatbush apartment.
NiteLife Exchange (NLE) asks Yvette Monique Clark (YMC) Six Questions:
NLE: As an actress and a singer, do you find one form of expression more satisfying than the other? If so, why?
YMC: I find both expressions to be satisfying but singing is my first love. When I sing I feel like I am a part of every word and every note. I am immersed in the moment and taken over by the music.
NLE: You’ve been a singing server at Marie’s Crisis for several years. What is it about this line of work that attracted you to it?
YMC: I was brought to Marie’s by a very good friend of mine and fell in love with the place immediately. It’s the atmosphere of Marie’s that attracted me to it and ultimately made me want to work there. Aside from it being a survival job, it’s home, it’s family, it’s a place where I get to do what I love to do for people.
NLE: Your live virtual cabaret, Diva of the ‘Demic streamed on August 28; when did it strike you that the time was right to do a show? How did you prepare for it?
YMC: Marie’s Crisis went virtual when the pandemic hit. I had no idea that we would out of work so long and I ran out of showtunes! I had to hunker down and learn new tunes. The Diva of the ‘Demic was a culmination of those new songs and a couple of old ones thrown in. It also fulfilled my need to perform. I put together a set of songs I thought people would enjoy and a show was born.
NLE: How are you otherwise coping with the pandemic and the ongoing restrictions we face till its over?
YMC: I have good days and bad days like everybody else. I’m very fortunate to have my family. They are a great support system. I try to stay busy learning, creating and thinking of ways to reinvent myself in this new normal.
NLE: As a woman of color, what are your most urgent feelings about the Back Lives Matter movement, personally and professionally?
YMC: This is a really heavy question. Personally, I want People of Color to feel safe, respected and equal in our own country. I want the same protections afforded everyone else. Professionally, if the former becomes a reality then this part will work itself out.
NLE: Are you optimistic about the future? What are your current goals as we move beyond the pandemic?
YMC: I’m definitely optimistic about the future. My goals are to stay focused, hard to do some days, keep creating, keep moving forward with new ideas because this too shall pass and I want to be ready!
Enjoy this video of Yvette Monique Clark singing from lockdown:
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