Shadow of a Shadow: An Interview with Fascious

Maya J. Pope-Chappell

Abstract

Combining poetry, hip-hop theater, and dance, Anthony “Fascious” Martinez recently debuted the revised version of his one-man musical called Penumbra at The New York International Fringe Festival (FringeNYC), an annual multi-arts event. Described by one woman as “Shakespeare on speed,” Fascious started working on the play at 16 but has spent the past year revising the original script with Director Shidan Majidi. Using various aesthetics to share his story, Fascious discovered that art was not only a means of expression, but a means through which he would discover his manhood, attempt reconciliation with his estranged father, and express feelings from the stage that he couldn't share face to face.