Akua Taylor
Akua Taylor studied Dramatics and Speech at Fisk University in Nashville, TN. While in college, she had the honor of being a Fisk Jubilee Singer and touring the world singing Negro Spirituals. She received her Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude, and joined the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. When she moved to New York City after graduation, she developed her first workshop for the Elizabeth, New Jersey, school system for Black History Month called “Reach Higher.” After moving to Atlanta, she developed a workshop for abused women and children called “Approve” and facilitated it for six weeks with the Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence in Decatur, GA. Her current project, “Song Lake,” is a folktale about three women to collect the problems of the world and take them to a distant lake to heal the community. Akua has been teaching the subjects of acting, voice, and general performing arts with both after school programs and for summer programs since 2002. With her degree in Dramatics and Speech from Fisk University, she is able to teach all aspects of Theatre production, from lighting, sound, costume, props, set design, script writing, directing, and producing. She is Suzuki trained in piano and has the ability to teach beginning level skills. She has also taught piano and voice and after school performing.
Arts Disciplines: Theatre/Drama, Music, Media Arts, Dance, Creative Writing, Storytelling, Poetry/Spoken Word
Core Content Curriculum Areas: Theatre/Drama, Music, Dance, English/Language Arts, Media Arts
Specialized Content Areas: Literacy, STEAM, Anti-bullying, World Cultures, Character Education
Grade Levels: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Special Populations: At-Risk Students
Geographic Availability: Metro Atlanta, North Georgia, Middle Georgia, South Georgia
Program Fees:
- Performance fees – $500.00
- Workshop fees – $1,000.00
- Residency fees – $1,500.00
Artistic Profile:
Akua Taylor studied Dramatics and Speech at Fisk University in Nashville, TN. While in college, she had the honor of being a Fisk Jubilee Singer and touring the world singing Negro Spirituals. She received her Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude, and joined the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. When she moved to New York City after graduation, she developed her first workshop for the Elizabeth, New Jersey, school system for Black History Month called “Reach Higher.” Reach Higher is a motivational assembly for all ages that encourages students to believe in themselves. She performed for kindergarten through 8th grade students, singing original music and speaking about her journey as an artist between songs. After moving to Atlanta, she developed a workshop for abused women and children called “Approve” and facilitated it for six weeks with the Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence in Decatur, GA. The women represented were ages 20 to 50 and the children were ages 2 to 15. “Approve” was designed to help participants heal from past trauma and move forward renewed. Her current project is called “Song Lake” and was launched before an audience from the ages of 2 to 78 on October 8, 2017. “Song Lake” is a folktale about three women to collect the problems of the world and take them to a distant lake to heal the community. “Song Lake” is set to perform at the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival in October 2018. Her overall philosophy is healing and motivation through the arts.
Teaching Experience:
Akua has been teaching the subjects of acting, voice, and general performing arts with both after school programs and for summer programs since 2002 beginning with Chattanooga Parks and Recreation. With a degree in Dramatics and Speech from Fisk University, she is able to teach all aspects of Theatre production, from lighting, sound, costume, props, set design, script writing, directing, and producing. She also taught literacy with the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School program in Nashville, TN, in 2003. She is Suzuki trained in piano and has the ability to teach beginning level skills. While in Brooklyn New York from 2007 to 2008, she taught piano and voice with the Patricia Robinson Music School and taught after school performing arts with Boys and Girls High School. Her philosophy with teaching voice is that singing is a very physical art and first requires proper breath training to be successful. She teaches students correct posture to allow the diaphragm to expand and contract as necessary. She demonstrates singing techniques in all presentations, workshops, and shows.
Sample Programs:
Reach Higher is an interactive, multimedia presentation for youth that encourages students to strive for their goals and believe in self. To Reach Higher, students are reminded to 1. know their ancestry, 2. work hard, 3. let no obstacle stop them and 4. love who they are. Akua sings original songs and uses powerful demonstrations to engage students of all ages.
Approve is a workshop for abused women designed to help participants heal from past trauma and move forward renewed. Akua demonstrates how to use word power combined with movement and vocal energy as a source of strength. The Approve Workshop is especially for small gatherings, shelters, safe houses and support groups but is also great for conferences, retreats or spiritual gathering.
Song Lake is a theatrical music healing experience. Part stage play and part live music, Song Lake is the story of three women who gather all the problems of the world and pour them into distant lake to heal the community. Akua narrates the story between original songs that encourage the audience to participate, sing along and heal themselves with the words. Song Lake is an artistic response to recent protest movements, current events and human suffering.
Sample Lesson Plans/Study Guides:
Program Photos and Videos:
- Listing ID: 5990