From Rockland to Scotland

This past summer, former North Rockland resident Quaz Degraft took his one-man show In the Black across the Atlantic to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival—the largest arts festival in the world.

Degraft’s play, a semi-autobiographical story about ambition and self-discovery, follows Kofi, a street-smart dreamer who charms his way into Wall Street. Kofi’s struggles balancing career aspirations, family pressures, and cultural expectations are based on Degraft’s own experiences as a first-generation Ghanaian American. Degraft described In the Black as an cautionary tale highlighting the dangers of allowing extreme pressure to succeed come at the expense of personal identity. “A lot of the story comes from my own experiences,” shared Degraft said. “It’s about being a kid from a working-class, first-generation family who feels that pressure to succeed. But in an environment like Wall Street, that ambition can start to consume you.”

Degraft recalled his upbringing in Yonkers in what he called “a rough neighborhood,” one that he watched his parents work diligently to move him from. “My dad was getting his MBA online while working full-time so we could move to Rockland. Watching both my parents hustle instilled that work ethic in me.”

In North Rockland, Degraft found himself with expanded access to opportunities and a nurturing, diverse community. “Growing up around so many different cultures helped me connect with people from all backgrounds,” he said. “That’s been really valuable in my art and in life.” Those relationships fostered in Rockland  remain important to Degraft today.

Before pursuing theater, Degraft worked as an accountant, following a traditional path encouraged by his family. “In our community the good career paths are doctors, lawyers, or accountants. Those are the good professions that provide safe salaries,” he explained. “My father is also an accountant, so I figured I’d just do accounting.”

But Degraft always had a creative side. “Drawing was my first love,” he recalled. “I loved creating comic books, but that was never encouraged as a career path.”

That changed years later when Degraft was working in private equity in Midtown. A friend invited him to take an acting class with her, and Degraft swiftly found his second love in acting. “At the end of the class, I got some callbacks and interest from agents and managers. I started auditioning, took more classes, and eventually booked a TV role,” he said.

In a desire to grow his toolbox of skills, Degraft applied to graduate school and earned his MFA at the University of Southern California, where In the Black was born. He finished the first draft in December 2024 but set it aside during his final semester. The project was picked back up in April 2025. After some research about potential venues, it wasn’t long before Degraft learned about the Edinburgh  Fringe Festival and decided to “go big.” He submitted his piece, and by August, he was performing in Scotland. At the end of the Festival, Degraft had completed a total of 21 performances of In the Black. “It was incredibly rewarding to be surrounded by so many other creatives,” he said. “Being around like-minded people inspired me to keep writing and working.”

Despite initial nerves about how a foreign audience might receive such a personal story, Degraft said the response in Scotland was overwhelmingly positive. “I was nervous at first, but the story resonated,” he said. “It’s something a lot of people can relate to—wanting to do what’s right for yourself and your family, being a fish out of water, and making tough choices.”

Though In the Black debuted overseas, Degraft’s goal is to bring the show back home. “I’d love to perform at the Garnerville Arts Center or do an encore in New York or L.A.,” said Degraft. “That would mean a lot—to share it with my family and friends who’ve supported me since the beginning.”

As he continues to write and perform, Degraft emphasizes the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people. “Collaboration is key,” he said. “Find people who understand your vision—kindred artistic spirits.”

For Degraft, In the Black is not just a play—it’s a message to anyone chasing a dream. “Even though chasing a dream can be tough, I always tell people it’s never too late to go after what you love.”