Justin Clarel '13

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Justin Clarel ‘13

Tags: Actor, Black, Comedian, Curator, Director, Performance Artist, Playwright, Poet, Producer, Queer, Singer, Sketch Comedy, Writer, Screenwriter

Me in 50 words or less:
Justin Clarel is a Black queer writer, performer, and educator creating vibrant stories for a better world. They are most proud of their work with sketch comedy team The Rhubarbs, original works for stage and screen, and love for musical theatre. Keep up with their adventures @theeclarel.

Pronouns: They/them/theirs

Department: Sociology

Certificate(s): African American Studies, Latin American Studies, Urban Studies

Student Group(s): Princeton Triangle Club, Black Arts Company: Drama, Off the Record Hip Hop and R&B A Capella, Umqombothi, Princeton University Players, Theatre Intime

Bio

Justin Clarel is a Black queer writer, performer, and educator creating and uplifting vibrant stories for a better world. Their work focuses on Black LGBTQ characters, chosen families, and healing. Justin has directed and produced original theatre projects focused on Black stories, including Rage to Heal in the 2017 Cohen New Works Festival, Saved You a Plate in the Painted Bride’s 2019 Solstice Series, Queer Cheer: A Winter Holigay Special, and non-linear: works-in-progress by black lgbtq artists. 

Justin has performed as part of Ars Nova’s ANT Fest, OUTsider Festival, Philly Fringe, NYC Sketchfest, Dixon Place HOT! Festival, and more. They are one-fourth of the sketch comedy team The Rhubarbs and have created sketch shows with Mural Outrage and Philly Improv Theater. Justin founded The Starfruit Project, a platform highlighting creativity for healing and growth.

Justin’s poetry and prose are published in Black Youth Project, TAYO Literary Magazine, cavity, MELANINzine, and several print anthologies. They are a 2022 Strides Collective Emerging Playwright, a 2022 Hurston/Wright Summer Screenwriting Fellow, and a two-time VONA Alum in Comedy and Screenwriting. Justin was also a 2020-2021 Core Playwright with InterAct Theatre Company, a 2020 Leeway Foundation Art and Change Grantee, and a 2016 recipient of the Acts of Greatness LGBTQ Youth Community Award.

Originally from South Jersey, Justin holds an AB in Sociology from Princeton University. They are passionate about musical theatre, mangoes, and memoirs. Keep up with their adventures at theeclarel.com and @theeclarel.

I’d like to share my expertise with:

  • Alumni

  • Students

I would like to:

  • Speak on a panel

  • Share advice via phone or coffee chat

Contact Justin Clarel

https://theeclarel.com/contact