Shae Marie Tolbut (Black Stage Everything) joins the pod squad to discuss her journey from stage management to playwriting, the challenges of creating space for plus-size Black performers, and why she’s passionate about centering Black joy on stage.

Shae Marie Tolbut is a writer, director, and co-founder of Black Stage Everything, a platform dedicated to amplifying Black voices in theater. With a background in stage management and poetry, she has transitioned into playwriting, creating works that center plus-size Black women without reducing them to stereotypes. She is currently developing her play Blue and Green, a groundbreaking production that challenges industry norms by focusing on fully realized Black characters beyond their size. A fierce advocate for representation and inclusion, Shay Marie continues to push boundaries and uplift marginalized voices in the arts.

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