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Part 2 of 2

Our discussion continues with actor, writer, and teaching artist J.J. Johnson taking us deeper into his creative process. 

He shares what it’s like to navigate the vulnerability, pressure, and freedom of creating a solo theatre piece, as well as the intensely collaborative nature of writing for film. 

He also reflects on the origins of Galvanize, a truly special network for Black theatricals in the DMV, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025. 

Connect with J.J.:

IG/Threads

Facebook

TikTok

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan.
Theme music by Sycho Sid.

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In Part One of this two-part conversation, Thembi sits down with actor, writer, and teaching artist James J. Johnson, known to many as J.J.

He opens up about growing up as a quirky, intelligent, and imaginative kid in the small town of Front Royal, Virginia, and we dive into his earliest artistic influences, how humor became his tool for connection, the evolution of his creative process, and the semi-autobiographical play that brought his childhood friends to the theatre for the very first time. 

Connect with J.J.:

IG/Threads

Facebook

TikTok

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan.
Theme music by Sycho Sid.

Listen and Connect:

• Spotify: Follow, Rate, and Share
• Apple Podcasts: Subscribe, Review, and Rate
• Instagram: @Keybard_IG
• Facebook: The KeyBARD Podcast

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This episode of KeyBARD features Jared Redick, an award-winning, sought-after master teacher, choreographer, and coach whose leadership has shaped the global dance community. 

A third-generation ballet dancer, Jared blends a deep respect for classical traditions with an innovative approach to contemporary work. 

He currently serves as a full professor and Assistant Dean of Dance at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), one of the nation’s top conservatories.

Jared's Website

Want to be a guest on KeyBARD? Send Thembi a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1740803399472257afce75768

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan.
Theme music by Sycho Sid.

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• Instagram: @Keybard_IG
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Dr. Ilke Demir, Senior Staff Research Scientist, Intel

What makes us human in the age of artificial intelligence?

In this episode, Thembi speaks with Dr. Ilke Demir, a pioneering research scientist whose work explores the intersection of AI, digital integrity, and creative technology. 

From detecting deepfakes using biological signals to defending artists’ rights in an AI-saturated world, Dr. Demir offers a grounded, compelling perspective on authenticity, innovation, and the emotional labor of being a woman in STEM -- and much more!

Explore FaceCatcher

More on Dr. Demir

Want to be a guest on KeyBARD? Send Thembi a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1740803399472257afce75768

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan.
Theme music by Sycho Sid.

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• Instagram: @Keybard_IG
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Alan Sharpe, ACT

What does it take to build a theatrical legacy that centers the lives and truths of Black LGBTQIA+ folx? In this episode, Thembi sits down with prolific playwright, director, and founder of the African American Collective Theatre (ACT), Alan Sharpe, whose work spans decades of dedication to sharing the full range of Black queer experiences. 

• Alan's lifelong artistic journey
• Why Washington, D.C. is the setting for most of his work
• How he accidentally created one of the first Black web series
• Artists that influenced him and shaped his work
• How ACT has created community, mentorship, and visibility for generations of Black queer artists

Learn more about Alan Sharpe at https://alansharpe.org/.

Learn more about ACT at https://a-act.org/.

Want to be a guest on KeyBARD? Send Thembi a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1740803399472257afce75768

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan.
Theme music by Sycho Sid.

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• Instagram: @Keybard_IG
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Keta Newborn: A Life Rewritten Through Theatre

There are moments in life when everything seems set—the destination clear, the plan solid. And then, something unexpected happens, shifting everything we thought we knew. Today’s guest, Keta Newborn, knows this journey well.

After 12 years as a computer engineer, Keta faced a life-altering challenge that forced her to rethink everything. But rather than letting it define her, she found a new purpose—one rooted in storytelling, creativity, and the magic of live theatre.

In this episode, we discuss:
 🎭 The unexpected turn that led her from tech to theatre
 🙏 How faith and resilience shaped her artistic journey
 ✍🏾 The power of storytelling as a tool for healing and transformation

Grab Keta's book: So Emotional

Want to be a guest on KeyBARD? Send Thembi a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1740803399472257afce75768

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan.
Theme music by Sycho Sid.

Listen and Connect:

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• Instagram: @Keybard_IG
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From Military Leadership to Instructional Design: Dr. Dwayne Wood on AI, Education, and Rethinking Grading

In this episode of KeyBARD, host Thembi Duncan interviews Dr. Dwayne Wood, an educator, instructional designer, and military veteran with over 22 years of experience in the U.S. Army. Now a leader in instructional design and curriculum development, Dr. Wood shares how his military background shaped his approach to education, leadership, and mentorship.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ How military leadership naturally cultivates teaching skills
✅ Why Dr. Wood challenges traditional grading systems
✅ The role of AI in education and its impact on instructional design
✅ How discipline fuels innovation in learning and development
✅ Dr. Wood’s journey from the Army to instructional design

About Dr. Dwayne Wood:

Dr. Dwayne Wood is a distinguished educator, instructional designer, and curriculum developer who specializes in creating engaging learning experiences for adult learners. His expertise spans instructional design, AI in education, and innovative assessment strategies.

Want to be a guest on KeyBARD? Send Thembi a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1740803399472257afce75768

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan.
Theme music by Sycho Sid.

Listen and Connect:

• Spotify: Follow, Rate, and Share
• Apple Podcasts: Subscribe, Review, and Rate
• Instagram: @Keybard_IG
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In this episode, I sit down with acclaimed director and educator Eric Ruffin to explore the artistry, history, and purpose that fuel his work. We talk about his unexpected journey from actor, to Navy submariner, to visionary theatre director, and how his lived experiences have shaped the way he tells stories.

Eric shares his insights on:
 ✅ Theatre as a tool for visibility and healing
 ✅ The responsibility of Black artists in storytelling
 ✅ How directing is an act of love and transformation
 ✅ The power of bold design choices in theatrical worlds
 ✅ His dream of leading a theatre company that serves the community first

...and lots more! This was a rich, dynamic conversation about artistry, legacy, and how we shape culture through storytelling.

Want to be a guest on KeyBARD? Send Thembi a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1740803399472257afce75768

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan.
Theme music by Sycho Sid.

Listen and Connect:

• Spotify: Follow, Rate, and Share
• Apple Podcasts: Subscribe, Review, and Rate
• Instagram: @Keybard_IG
• Facebook: The KeyBARD Podcast

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What kind of art would you create if money was no object? What stories would you tell? 

It’s a powerful question, but in American theatre, too few artists ever get to explore it.  

In Part 2 of my conversation with actor/playwright Keith Hamilton Cobb, we unpack what it really takes to make meaningful work in an industry that often prioritizes profit over process. We discuss:

• Art Without Limits – What theatre could look like if artists had unlimited time, resources, and creative freedom
• Curiosity as a Radical Act – How deep inquiry and artistic risk-taking are becoming rarer in today’s cultural landscape
• Race, Representation, and Shakespeare – Insights from American Moor and Project Untitled on using Shakespeare's work to explore the complexities of the human condition
• Making Meaningful Work in a Profit-Driven Culture – How artists can push boundaries despite industry constraints

Learn more:

American Moor

Untitled Othello Project

Keith Hamilton Cobb's Website

Be sure to like, follow, and subscribe so you don't miss any new episodes!

Want to be a guest on KeyBARD? Send Thembi a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1740803399472257afce75768 

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan.
Theme music by Sycho Sid.

Listen and Connect:

• Spotify: Follow, Rate, and Share
• Apple Podcasts: Subscribe, Review, and Rate
• Instagram: @Keybard_IG
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In this episode I speak with award-winning actor and playwright Keith Hamilton Cobb, and this conversation was so rich that I had to split it into two parts. In part 1, we talk about Keith’s training and his early years as an actor. We get into a really nuanced conversation about the commercialization of acting, barriers that Black actors face on stage and on screen, and the ideal process for developing story and character in American theatre.

We also get into his groundbreaking play, American Moor, and the way he developed this piece to interrogate racism, power dynamics, and identity through the lens of a Black actor navigating an industry that prioritizes revenue over the authentic exploration of the nature of human beings.

Be sure to like, follow, and subscribe so you don't miss Part 2 or any other new episodes!

Learn more:

American Moor

Untitled Othello Project

Keith Hamilton Cobb's Website

Want to be a guest on KeyBARD? Send Thembi a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1740803399472257afce75768

KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan.
Theme music by Sycho Sid.

Listen and Connect:

• Spotify: Follow, Rate, and Share
• Apple Podcasts: Subscribe, Review, and Rate
• Instagram: @Keybard_IG
• Facebook: The KeyBARD Podcast