Welcome to SPARK, a podcast from South Fulton Arts. We have an extra special episode for you all, as we flip the roles and invite our own South Fulton Arts Executive Director Jennifer Bauer-Lyons to speak about directing our upcoming play reading, Tiny Beautiful Things! With a diverse background in the arts and administration, Jennifer has directed over 80 plays and musicals nationwide, led organizations like GA Shakespeare and Horizon Theatre Company, and consulted for numerous non-profits. She holds an MFA in Theatre Directing and is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. Committed to community service, she volunteers with organizations like Catholic Charities of Atlanta and the Junior League of Atlanta, while also being actively involved in music, faith, and Greek life.  Get your tickets to Tiny Beautiful Things by clicking any of the links below:  May 10  @ East Point City Hall           May 11 @  ArtsXChange     May 17  @ Academy Theatre May 18 @ Onward Theatre  Hosted by Solana Ramírez-García --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/south-fulton-instit/support

Welcome back to Spark, a podcast from South Fulton Arts! -- Today, we’re welcoming back to SPARK SFA friend and collaborator Clifton Guterman! Originally from Iron City, Georgia, Clifton Guterman is an Atlanta casting director, acting coach, and director. Founder of Thrive Acting Hive and Clifton Guterman Casting, he formerly served as the Tony Award-winning Alliance Theatre's Artistic Assistant, as Casting Director and National New Play Network Producer in Residence at Actor's Express, and as Associate Artistic Director and Casting Director for eight seasons at Atlanta's Theatrical Outfit. Clifton has directed in Atlanta with Alliance Theatre, The Atlanta Opera, Jennie T. Anderson Theatre, and Theatrical Outfit. He has cast over 150 productions locally for companies such as Actor's Express, Agnes Scott College, Horizon Theatre, Theatrical Outfit, and True Colors Theatre Company. As an actor, Clifton has appeared on multiple Atlanta stages, Off-Broadway, and many top regional theatres across the U.S. He has appeared in several Atlanta-filmed movies, TV shows and commercials. Clifton holds a BA in Drama from the University of Georgia and an MFA in Performing Arts from the Savannah College of Art and Design. He, his husband, and their son live in Cabbagetown, Atlanta. -- Hosted by Jennifer Bauer-Lyons Produced by Aaron Rib -- South Fulton Arts is supported by Fulton County Arts and Culture, the National Endowment for the Arts, Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs, The Atlanta Foundation, Georgia Council for the Arts, Publix Super Markets Charities, Greystone Power Corporation, the Waffle House Foundation, and the Zeist Foundation. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/south-fulton-instit/support --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/south-fulton-instit/support

Welcome back to Spark, a podcast from South Fulton Arts! -- Today, we have the pleasure of talking with an esteemed partner for the 2024 Create Program: multifaceted artist and community changemaker Immanuel Laidlaw.  As a Jamaican American first-generation graduate of Morehouse, Immanuel has always held a profound commitment to narrative change and community empowerment. Overcoming homelessness, his resilience propelled him to establish a creative studio and launch a non-profit organization focused on the transformative power of art and storytelling. Today, his documentary film Symmetry, in partnership with South Fulton Arts is fully in the works and will premiere later this year. Check out the crowdfunding campaign for, Symmetry: a documentary on Indiegogo  (https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/symmetry-documentary/x/34293071#/). -- Hosted by Jennifer Bauer-Lyons Produced by Aaron Rib --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/south-fulton-instit/support --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/south-fulton-instit/support

Welcome back to Spark! A podcast from South Fulton Arts -- Today, we're excited to chat with Atlanta actor, Brian Ashton Smith. Brian is a multifaceted talent whose extensive career spans genres and media. His many credits in telveision and film include Cobra Kai, The Ms. Pat Show, Dolly Parton's Heartstrings, and The Evil Inside Her in which he starred opposite his wife Melissa and Oscar nominee Eric Roberts. Brian is a member of the Sketch Comedy groups Black AF and Critical Crop Top. He'll be performing in the role of Jackson Moore in our production of Smart People, which runs March 15th through the 23rd. -- Hosted by Jennifer Bauer-Lyons Produced by Aaron Rib --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/south-fulton-instit/support --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/south-fulton-instit/support

Welcome back to Spark! A podcast from South Fulton Arts -- Today, we have the honor of speaking with Atlanta Filmmaker, Writer, and Director: Ebony Blanding.  As the co-founder of the art film house, House of June, Ebony has not only presented her films at esteemed educational institutions like Spelman College, Emory University, and John H. Hopkins University but has also left an indelible mark on prestigious film festivals including SXSW, Capetown International Film Festival, and the Atlanta Film Society. -- Hosted by, Jennifer Bauer-Lyons Produced by, Solana Ramírez-García --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/south-fulton-instit/support

Welcome to Spark, a podcast from the South Fulton Institute! --- Caitlin King is an Innovative and action-oriented leader with experience in nonprofit development, personnel management, facilities management and event execution. She prides herself on being a resourceful problem solver who is well-versed in leading a wide variety of events with a focus on increasing community awareness and involvement. Caitlin has worked as the director of Red Oak Festival along with many other arts institutions in Atlanta. We are so happy for her most recent path of being the executive director of Onward Theatre, a new company who specializes in comedy and improv with a mission to create accessible and diverse theatre experiences within the community. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/south-fulton-instit/support

Welcome to Spark, a podcast from the South Fulton Institute --- Today we talk to ANON the Griot! ANON is a dynamic force at the intersection of spoken word, education, and Hip-Hop culture. Drawing inspiration from the impactful ideologies of Gil Scott-Heron and the subtle subversion of James Baldwin, he wields words as his sword and shield. As an educator, ANON passionately believes in the transformative power of education as a noble revolution. He prioritizes the holistic growth of students over standardized assessments, challenging the status quo. ANON has reimagined the poetry club as “The Griot Circle,” a space where he cultivates empowerment through creative expression. An avid emcee and devoted advocate of hip-hop as a culture, movement, and music, ANON seamlessly integrates his passions into the realm of education. He is the author of “Locked Up but not Locked Down: A Guide to Surviving the American Prison System” and “Poems for a Barfly.” Additionally, he serves as the Cypher Master for the freestyle rap organization, Soul Food Cypher, and pioneers his original course, “Criminology in Hip Hop,” at Pendulum Ink. ANON The Griot’s latest musical endeavor, “Alchemy,” can be discovered on bandcamp.com and all major digital streaming platforms. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/south-fulton-instit/support

Welcome to SPARK, a podcast from the South Fulton Institute. This week, we sit down with Tatiana Fitata (he/they) about all things flower arrangements, being a filmmaker, an artist, and an organizer in the city of Atlanta. Tatiana will be leading a flower arrangement workshop titled "Harmonious Gardens" this Saturday, October 14th, at the Red Oak Arts Festival in partnership with the Red Oak District. Join us for an insightful conversation as we explore his artistic journey, his unique blend of talents, and his remarkable impact on diverse communities, and get a sneak peek into what to expect at his upcoming floral workshop. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/south-fulton-instit/support

Welcome back to SPARK! A podcast from the South Fulton Institute. This week we sit down with Jessy Díaz. Jessy is a highly motivated and energetic musician (singer, percussionist, musicologist, and teacher) with international exposure. Originally from Cuba, as a performer she focuses on the Latin jazz, cha-cha-cha, danzón, son, mambo, and bolero genres. Not only is she an excellent singer, she is also competent in playing a wide range of musical instruments. As a multi-instrumentalist artist and music teaching professional, she endeavors to give her all in each single performance and project and is fully committed to providing a solid education and instilling music appreciation in all her students. Before emigrating to the U.S., Jessy had the opportunity to perform with the Matanzas Symphonic Orchestra (Matanzas, Cuba), University of Arts Symphonic Orchestra (Havana, Cuba), Failde Youth Band (Matanzas, Cuba), and Suns of Cuba (Matanzas, Cuba). One of the highlights of her career include a performance for President Barack Obama during a Cuban State Dinner in Havana, Cuba, on March 21, 2016. Since arriving in the U.S. in 2017, she has performed at various venues in Florida and Georgia. A well-rounded music professional, in addition to performing live on stage, working on several studio recording projects, and being a dynamic and energetic teacher, she is also a sought-after Cuban and Afro-Cuban music lecturer. Keep up with Jessy through here website, jessydiaz.com and on Youtube at Jessy Diaz Music! - Hosted by: Jennifer Bauer-Lyons, Executive Director Produced by: Jordan Battle, Administrative Assistant --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/south-fulton-instit/support

Welcome to SPARK, a podcast from the South Fulton Institute. - This week we sit down with cellist Jenn Cornell. Jenn Cornell is a performer, composer and educator bringing cello across boundaries with her visionary style of playing, creating songs that stretch what a cello can be, and inspiring young musicians with her mentor approach to teaching.  Jenn has had a diverse career as a professional musician beginning at age 11 when she realized she desired to play cello the rest of her life.  Since then, she has crossed over from classical into the genre-bending music she creates today in performance, film scoring, and education of the arts. - Hosted by: Jennifer Bauer-Lyons, Executive Director Produced by: Jordan Battle, Administrative Assistant --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/south-fulton-instit/support