Spark: Igniting Dynamic Dialogue

Welcome to SPARK, a podcast from the South Fulton Institute.

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In this episode, we’ll be talking with Robert Drake the Artistic Director of Academy Theatre. Robert has 25 years of experience producing, stage managing, performing in, and directing shows. He has served as Artistic Director of two major Georgia theatres, as Production Manager for two different radio theatre companies, and has experience as a Creative Director. Robert is an Instructor at Emory University’s Osha Life Long Learning Program, teaching semiotics and theatre. He has also been a guest instructor at Decatur High School, DeKalb School of the Arts, and the Good Acting Studio.

website: https://academytheatre.org/

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Hosted by: Jennifer Bauer-Lyons, Executive Director

Produced by: Nathan Jones, Partner Resource and Admin Manager

Welcome to SPARK, a podcast from the South Fulton Institute.

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In this episode, we’ll be talking with K. Parker. She is a director, writer, and actor. Parker began her Atlanta career as a directing and acting dual apprentice at Actor’s Express during the 2019-2020 season. In 2021, Parker produced her short piece, On Being Born as a DK Fellow with Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre Company as well as being a writer for the serialized podcast drama, Crossroads, produced by Actor's Express. Shortly after, her documentary, Maschood was commissioned as part of the Alliance Theatre’s Spotlight Studio. Parker wrapped 2021 by producing her comedy one-act, How to Be A Lesbian, as a part of Synchronicity Theatre's Stripped Bare Arts Incubator project. Parker is excited to be directing a Lynn Nottage piece for the first time and gives a special thank you to the South Fulton Institute.

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Hosted by: Jennifer Bauer-Lyons, Executive Director

Produced by: Nathan Jones, Partner Resource and Admin Manager

Welcome to SPARK, a podcast from the South Fulton Institute.

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In this episode we’ll be talking with Jazz vocalist Karla Harris. Karla Harris has made a career within the art form she loves for more than three decades, captivating audiences from Portland to Provence. Her performance credits include events such as the Sarasota Jazz Festival, Portland Jazz Festival, Oregon Coast Jazz Party, Nantucket Arts Festival, Siletz Bay Music Festival, Atlanta Jazz Party, Atlanta Jazz Festival, and a TED Talk. She has performed for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as part of the Arts Across America live performance series, and in 2022 was awarded a distinguished Jazz Road grant through the South Arts foundation.

Website: https://www.karlaharris.com/

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Hosted by: Jennifer Bauer-Lyons, Executive Director

Produced by: Nathan Jones, Partner Resource and Admin Manager

Welcome to SPARK, a podcast from the South Fulton Institute.

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In this episode we’ll be talking with Angelica Hairston. Known for her fiery performances and passion for social change, Angelica Hairston is a highly regarded harpist, educator, and activist. Throughout her career, she has made it a priority to create social impact through the power of the arts. Actively using music as a tool for equity, Angelica serves as Executive Director of Challenge the Stats and is an in-demand performer, speaker, and presenter for virtual and in-person engagements across the globe.

Website: www.angelicahairston.com

https://challengethestats.org

Instagram:

@angelharpist

@challengethestats

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Hosted by: Jennifer Bauer-Lyons, Executive Director

Produced by: Nathan Jones, Partner Resource and Admin Manager

Welcome to SPARK, a podcast from the South Fulton Institute.

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In this episode we’ll be talking with Shannon M. Turner.

Shannon M. Turner is the Founder/Creative Director of StoryMuse. She serves as an independent consultant who conducts workshops and provides coaching to individuals and organizations seeking to use true, personal stories for transformative potential. Shannon has two decades of professional experience and an MFA from Virginia Tech.

Website: www.storymuse.net

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Hosted by: Jennifer Bauer-Lyons, Executive Director

Produced by: Nathan Jones, Partner Resource and Admin Manager

Welcome to SPARK, a podcast from the South Fulton Institute.

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In this episode we’ll be talking with Clifton Guterman who is the director of our upcoming play reading of Actually by Anna Ziegler

Originally from Iron City, Georgia, Clifton Guterman is an Atlanta casting director, teacher, and acting coach. Currently Head of the Film and TV Division of Big Picture 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 is a member of the Advisory Committee for The Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards (The Shuler Hensley Awards). He chairs the Artist Advisory Council of ArtsATL and was in the Arts Leaders of Metro Atlanta's class of 2020. Clifton has directed in Atlanta with Alliance Theatre, The Atlanta Opera, and Theatrical Outfit. He has cast productions for 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).

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/south-fulton-institute-60058939143

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Hosted by: Jennifer Bauer-Lyons, Executive Director

Produced by: Nathan Jones, Partner Resource and Admin Manager

Welcome to SPARK, a podcast from the South Fulton Institute.

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In this episode we’ll be talking with Filmmaker Dr. Arshley Emile.

Dr. Arshley Emile is an award winning documentary director and cinematographer with 7 years to his credit. His love and passion for filmmaking was something he was aware of as early as 8 years old, but it was not until he embarked on his dissertation on racism in public schools, that he realized that his admiration for visual arts spanned well beyond the classroom. Instead of just going the traditional route of dissertation writing, Dr. Emile ventured on a journey that would eventually lead to a career focused on film. Today Dr. Emile is a full time creator. He has already been selected for numerous film festivals and has recently won Best Documentary for 2022 in the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, all of which highlights how remarkably gifted he is considering his short time in the business. Furthermore, Dr. Emile has projects ranging from television news programs, corporations, music videos, public school settings, as well as nonprofit organizations. His primary focus is to help portray the black and brown community in a more positive light as opposed to the narrative historically perpetuated by the general public. He is competent in all aspects of the production process from initial stages of researching and organizing production to script writing, interviewing, camera and editing. Dr. Emile hopes to one day film and produce feature films and to have his own soundstage campus where both young and seasoned filmmakers can gather and create.

@dr.emileinspires

Website: www.timberhousefilms.com

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Hosted by: Jennifer Bauer-Lyons, Executive Director

Produced by: Nathan Jones, Partner Resource and Admin Manager

Welcome to SPARK, a podcast from the South Fulton Institute.

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In this episode we’ll be talking with Visual Artist Miriam Robinson.

Miriam is a conceptual artist, painter, and metal worker. She lives and works in Atlanta, Georgia. Working across multiple disciplines, Miriam works with the mission of using art to inspire hope and possibility across the globe. Predominantly auto-biographical in nature, Miriam’s work expresses personal narratives involving relatable human experiences and current social issues in approachable ways.

Website: www.miriamrobinson.com

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Hosted by: Jennifer Bauer-Lyons, Executive Director

Produced by: Nathan Jones, Partner Resource and Admin Manager

Welcome to SPARK, a podcast from the South Fulton Institute.

Some history about the South Fulton Institute, we are an arts organization founded on the vision of artistically vibrant, deeply connected communities, spreading from South Fulton County into the broader Southeast region and beyond. At SFI, we work to embody this vision through our commitment to offering meaningful and accessible programming, cultivating a diverse range of community partnerships, and directly connecting both institutions and individuals with tangible resources.

SPARK is one part of our five program Courageous Conversations series that works to provide year round community focused programming. The other programs include FILMER: A Short Documentary Film project, CONNECT: A Play Reading Series, REFLECT: A Book Club and EXCHANGE: An Information Forum.

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In this episode we’ll be talking to one of our long-time partners, Filmmaker Ethan Payne.

Ethan is a documentary filmmaker based in Atlanta, Ga. His work has been featured in Pitchfork, Stereogum, Oxford American, ArtsATL, Southern Foodways Alliance, and The Bitter Southerner. His award-winning short documentaries have made international festival rounds and his first feature-length documentary "The Green Flash" is in post-production.

IG: @ethanpayne

Website: http://www.ethanpayne.com/

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Hosted by: Jennifer Bauer-Lyons, Executive Director

Produced by: Nathan Jones, Partner Resource and Admin Manager

Welcome to SPARK, a podcast from the South Fulton Institute.

Some history about the South Fulton Institute, we are an arts organization founded on the vision of artistically vibrant, deeply connected communities, spreading from South Fulton County into the broader Southeast region and beyond. At SFI, we work to embody this vision through our commitment to offering meaningful and accessible programming, cultivating a diverse range of community partnerships, and directly connecting both institutions and individuals with tangible resources.

SPARK is one part of our five program Courageous Conversations series that works to provide year round community focused programming. The other programs include FILMER: A Short Documentary Film project, CONNECT: A Play Reading Series, REFLECT: A Book Club and EXCHANGE: An Information Forum.

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In this episode we’ll be talking to one of our long-time partners, Author, Poet and Playwright Jon Goode .

Jon Goode is an Emmy nominated author, poet, and playwright currently residing in Atlanta, Georgia. He has been a featured performer on HBO’s Def Poetry, TVOne’s Verses & Flow, and BET’s Lyric Café. Jon’s debut collection of poems and short stories, Conduit, has received to date 54 five star reviews, spent 16 weeks as a #1 title on Amazon and is the best reviewed book of poetry on Amazon for 2015/16. Jon has released his first novel, Mydas, which also debuted as a #1 title on Amazon. He is the regular host of The Moth StorySLAM in Atlanta, GA.

IG: @jon_goode

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Hosted by: Jennifer Bauer-Lyons, Executive Director

Produced by: Nathan Jones, Partner Resource and Admin Manager