Meet Donte Palmer | Playwright, Author, Poet

We had the good fortune of connecting with Donte Palmer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Donte, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
The reason I decided to pursue a career in the creative career was due to mental health. I felt like I wasn’t being heard and a lot of times I would respond in anger. Writing, filming and directing gave me the tools to express in a creative way. Being a playwright I can see all my thoughts on stage and it gives me a peace of mind knowing the viewer understand what I’m trying to convey.

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.
I am a new playwright here in Miami and it wasn’t an easy job getting to where I am now. Still in the process of trying to build network in this community.

“Lose Control” is a piece I wrote which is a live stage production that exposes the tricks of Satan who is depicted as the “puppet master”. He uses different life circumstances to manipulate us into being under his control, turning us away from the Truth. This production is done through acting, singing, dancing, poetry and more.

This play also bring me awareness around serious issues such as sex trafficking, sexual abuse, mental health and gang violence.

The biggest challenges we are facing now is getting the funding to get on the stages we want to perform on. Staying positive and grounded is what pushes us to keep going.

Our brand “Underrated Genius” is a movement to bring awareness on topics that are affecting our communities. Lose control is our first project that does a great job highlighting those issues.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Of course, My new home church Trinity Church is awesome!

I am new to the city but I found a few restaurants that are amazing. (Red Rooster, suviche and Sins Gastrobar)

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
That person I would shoutout is my beautiful wife Lakeisha. If it wasn’t for my wife I wouldn’t have had to motivation to pursue the arts. I was literally afraid on how the world would receive my gifts. Lakeisha who is a great wife, mother and friend pushed me to my potential and continually criticizes my work in order for me to make the necessary corrections to become a better artist.

Instagram: @realdontepalmer

Twitter: @realdontepalmer