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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, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

Theme music by Sycho Sid.

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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, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

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.

Learn about National University: https://www.nu.edu

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, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

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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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, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

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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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, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

Theme music by Sycho Sid.

Listen and Connect:

• Spotify: Follow, Rate, and Share
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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, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

Theme music by Sycho Sid.

Listen and Connect:

• Spotify: Follow, Rate, and Share
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• Instagram: @Keybard_IG
• Facebook: The KeyBARD Podcast

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Thembi talks with Jose Moreno, Founder and CEO of Neulight, an ed-tech company leveraging AI to help K-12 educators support student success.

In this episode, we discuss:

✅ What it’s like to transition from streaming tech to education
✅ How AI can revolutionize student interventions
✅ The impact of leadership styles on company culture
✅ Bias in AI and strategies to mitigate it
✅ Why sitting all day might be worse than smoking (seriously!) 

Plus, Jose breaks down his vision for Neulight, a company tackling real problems in education while challenging the traditional startup hustle. 

Neulight Website – Try their free version of IntelliTier

Connect with Jose Moreno on LinkedIn

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, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

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 in the world is a KeyBARD, anyway? In this episode, I sit down with my daughter Nadia to reflect on the first season of the pod and look ahead to Season 2. 

We get into the heart of why I started the podcast, from the joy of deep conversations with brilliant minds to the behind-the-scenes realities of producing an independent podcast.

Internal music by u_98o9hlkn7r on Pixabay (YouTube Content ID)

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, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

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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Send us Fan Mail

S1. E20.

“There's always an aspect of joy, because otherwise, what's the point?”

In this episode, Thembi speaks with playwright, poet, and artistic leader Farah Lawal Harris about her journey as a breast cancer survivor and how her experiences have influenced her approach to storytelling, leadership, and wellness. Farah shares how the challenges she has faced, both personal and professional, have refined her as an artist and leader.

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, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

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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The Power of Storytelling: Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich on Writing, Identity & Empowering Young Readers

“Story was just the foundation of my life.”

In this episode of KeyBARD, host Thembi Duncan speaks with award-winning author and educator Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, whose work explores themes of family, migration, and the rich storytelling traditions of the African diaspora. A Jamaican Nigerian New Yorker, Olugbemisola weaves her cultural identity into her writing, creating compelling children's literature that resonates with young readers.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ How storytelling fosters empathy and empowerment
✅ Olugbemisola’s process for crafting authentic, emotionally rich characters
✅ The importance of cultural identity in children's literature
✅ How she taps into the emotional landscape of adolescence
✅ Why diverse storytelling matters in shaping young minds

About Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich:

Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich is a renowned author and educator whose books include Operation Sisterhood, Two Naomis, 8th Grade Superzero, Someday Is Now: Clara Luper and the 1958 Oklahoma City Sit-ins, Makeda Makes a Birthday Treat, You're Breaking My Heart, The Sun Does Shine, It Doesn't Take A Genius, Makeda Makes a Mountain, and many more! She is passionate about amplifying underrepresented voices and helping young readers connect with stories that reflect their experiences.

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, a theater artist, educator, and tech enthusiast exploring the intersections of art, education, and technology through conversations with creative thinkers.

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