Tamar Greene, a SUNY Oswego alumnus who graduated with degrees in music and computer information systems, is now acting in “Hamilton” on Broadway, and combining his art with activism. 

Greene said that he chose SUNY Oswego because of its computer degrees, but “went there conscious that there was a music department.” 

Upon his arrival, Greene said that he met with two music faculty members, Todd Graber and Rob Auler, both of whom suggested he should pursue a music major. “I was like, ‘y’all are trying me,’ but it was beautiful,” Greene said.

Greene’s music degree focused him on vocal and piano performance. “[The music program] really allowed me a space to explore what the arts were to me in many different avenues,” Greene said.

Greene sought two degrees, and said that in doing so he was “trying to be logical.” 

He said that he grew up working in information technology at a store that his father owned, which gave him an idea of what it might be like to work with computers. Originally after graduating in 2009, Greene worked in the computer field, at a company called Blackboard as a tech support manager. 

After working there, Greene said he started thinking, “I don’t know if I’m fully fulfilled – I don’t think […] this is what I’m meant to be, or meant to do.” 

He then made the decision to attend music school and received a master’s degree from Eastman School of Music in vocal performance and literature. His program there lasted two years and after graduating from Eastman, Greene spent some time performing opera, in concerts and at weddings as well as teaching. 

While doing these things, Greene went to New York City to audition for “Motown” on Broadway. After returning home, Greene received a call from the casting agency to audition for a production of “Porgy and Bess.” After a return to New York in 2013, Greene booked the show.

 “That was kind of the beginning of my journey toward Broadway as opposed to opera,” Greene said. Since then, he has continued to perform in shows and booked “Hamilton” in 2018, where he has stayed.

As a Broadway actor, Greene is expected to perform in eight shows per week, with only one day off to recover. “There’s a certain amount of trust you have to have in your craft,” Greene said. He also said that he finds comfort in his training and knowing how to adjust his voice when it is not at its best.

“Hamilton” is an emotionally charged show, and actors have to be emotionally prepared to act. “You should be leaving yourself on the stage, and that involves emotionally, so it can be pretty taxing,” Greene said. 

He described his process of “roadmapping” the show, where he remains aware of the energy, both physical and emotional, that he has and budgets it for the songs he knows he needs to get through.

Greene gets Mondays off, and so he said that he uses this time to recharge. He spends time taking care of his body through spa and massage. He also enjoys simply sitting on the couch and watching TV, and particularly enjoys Marvel movies, having grown up with an enthusiasm for superheroes.

At “Hamilton,” Greene is also part of a racial justice task force known as “Ham4Progress,” which is made up of two performers from each company of the show. The task force was put together in early 2020 following the death of George Floyd.

“You can’t tell stories and make money off of certain cultures or people of color and not invest in what’s happening in these communities, that’s not fair,” Greene said.

The task force consults with the producers of the show and works to figure out how “we can make things right,” Greene said. 

Greene said that the arts and activism work together. “When you have a platform, as we have in the arts […], you have a responsibility to be aware of things that are going on in the world and fight for justice, and fight for what is right,” Greene said.

“Hamilton” itself is a show which examines the history of our nation at a time where racism was prominent through the ownership of slaves. Greene plays George Washington, American Military officer, founding father and first President of the United States. 

“Washington is not, like, a hero,” Greene said. “I am a black man playing a man who owned slaves. But telling that story every day is important, to be someone who looks like me to show that we were there. People who look like me were there.”

Greene explained that Alexander Hamilton himself was from the Caribbean. “We were here, we were doing the business, we are still here, we are still important, and we still have important stories to be told, and it’s important to invest in these communities that this world loves to continually disinvest in,” Greene said.

Greene grew up in Rochester, New York, in a large and musical family. He is a proud first-generation American. He said his father was born in Jamaica, and his mother was born in England to Jamaican parents. 

Greene offered advice to students seeking a career in the arts, but who are afraid to do so. 

“Fear is normal, right, it’s rational,” he said. “It’s about what you do with that fear. […] Will you let it cripple you, or will you let it drive you? Nothing is guaranteed in this world and in this life, and I want to encourage anyone, if your heart really is there, […] I say go in and dive in, completely dive in, head first, and give it a shot.”

Greene also mentioned that there are arts adjacent careers that are options, instead of performing onstage, such as stage management and working as an agent.

Greene also does music outside of Broadway, sometimes doing voiceover work or a concert. He said that in the fall, he will be coming to Oswego to perform. His ARTSwego concert will be taking place on Oct. 17 at 7:00 p.m..

He also works on his own music, but said that it has taken a backseat. He described that his dressing room at “Hamilton” has been converted to a “mini studio,” where he may work on recording between shows with friends.

In the future, Greene hopes to remain on Broadway, and wants to originate a role. He enjoys readings and workshops, as well as teaching.