#46 - L Morgan Lee: The Perception of the Multi-Hyphenate

Happy Pride! “The type of multi-hyphenate I am is I need to really
clearly be able to compartmentalize what version of myself is being
put into what thing. In terms of photography, if I have not been
doing freeform things - I feel like I’m being worked to the
bone.”  L Morgan Lee (A Strange Loop) is an artist who sees
herself through her photography. And if anyone wants to know
anything about her, all you have to do is look at one of her
images. As we celebrate Pride month in 2021, this episode is an
enjoyable and honest slice of life for two LGBTQIA+
multi-hyphenates in the theatre industry, both of who happen to be
photographers. L Morgan’s first priority is being an actress. She
keeps in mind that perception is so much a part of the business, so
it’s in her best interest to be as specific as possible in terms of
being an actress. “The group of ladies that I would love to be with
in terms of acting,'' she says, “You can’t just go on a website and
book them for headshots.” Being a multi-hyphenate also welcomes
different communities. “I think community is number-one a life line
to me,” she says. “I need to have people that I feel close to. I
have a community of trans women who are over fifty. There’s two or
three girls who have taught me so much without even knowing they
are teaching me.” And of course, there’s some photographer dishing
- so are you ready for the tea to be spilled? Between L and
Michael, the stories from behind the lens are endless. For one,
they view the headshot as a survival job, while the other views the
headshot as a way to express themselves. So, if each photographer
has their own view of the art form - is there contention? Is there
jealousy? Is it territorial? What are the boundaries we enforce to
protect our heart?  Plus, if you’re a business owner, like a
photographer, L Morgan and Michael go deep into the practices of
owning a business and finding the sweet spot of how to stay
accessible, but also charging rates where the business owner can
survive.  Enjoy this episode as Michael and L Morgan dive into
knowing one’s worth, money management, trans identity, joining the
circles of our inspirations, a photographer’s boundaries, and what
it means to take charge of how the industry perceives an
artist.  L MORGAN LEE (she/her) is an Obie award-winning
actress, theatre maker, and photographer. She is most known for her
performance in the Pulitzer Prize winning musical, A Strange Loop
which garnered her a Lucille Lortel nomination and the distinction
of being the first openly transgender actress to originate a role
in a Pulitzer Prize winning piece of theatre. Most recently, L
Morgan was cast to portray artist Lili Elbe in a British musical
adaptation of the novel, The Danish Girl being workshopped in the
UK. She is also developing a new play entitled, The Women (2021)
which was seen in Ars Nova's 2021 Vision Residency. Other credits
include new works with Long Wharf Theater, Baltimore Center Stage,
5th Avenue Theater, Musical Theatre Factory and more. L Morgan is
dedicated to being a part of work centering underrepresented voices
on both stage and screen. "She needed a hero, so that's what she
became." For more: lmorganlee.com Connect with Michael:
@themichaelkushner (IG and TikTok)
@dearmultihyphenate (IG) www.michaelkushneronline.com Produced
by Alan Seales and the Broadway Podcast Network.
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