I was born in Rocky Mount, NC and had a dream as a kid of being a broadway actor. I moved to New York City in 2013 and that dream came true in 2019, making my debut as an original cast member in Hadestown the musical. When broadway shut down a year later due to the pandemic, my brain was turning. I had thoughts of why I wasn’t further along in my career and began comparing myself to those who had “made it” to the place I was still trying to reach. Those thoughts became loud. I later watched an interview by my colleague tony and grammy award winner Andre DeShields, whose words spoke to my soul and encouraged me to be ME! He said, ”There is no one like you. There has never been anyone like you. There will never be anyone like you. Therefore, be YOURSELF.” This echoed in my mind and allowed me to tap into the other artistic parts of me and ONLY 1 IN STOCK was born.

So why are you out here trying to be a carbon copy of someone else when you are more than enough? You have been uniquely made and no one can take that away from you. It’s time to live boldly in your authentic self and shine like the star you are. There is no one like you and there never will be another you because you are the Only 1 in stock!

- MALCOLM ARMWOOD