Sunday Spotlight with Khalia Davis

Happy New Year friends! On this special episode of Sunday Spotlight, our host, Khalia talks with award-winning author, MacArthur Fellow, and resident artist for the Kennedy Center, Jacqueline Woodson! And when we say “award-winning,” we’re talking about a National Book Award, Newbery Honors, and NYTimes Best Sellers just to name a few. Khalia and Jacqueline have a conversation about the exciting world of books and storytelling and the importance of creating works of art that speak to young people today. How cool is it to read a story where you feel like the author is speaking directly to you? Jacqueline Woodson writes her stories this way! We are also so excited to present the west coast premiere of her new show based on her popular children’s book, The Day You Begin later this year! Ms. Woodson challenges our young viewers to write about their favorite first day of school and when they run out of true facts, use their imagination to come up with even more moments. That is how you write fiction!

Knock, knock! Who's there? It's our final guest of the season, comedian and professional voice actor, Aparna Nancherla! Even though Aparna proudly represents a community of people who might identify as shy or introverted, she has made a career out of standing in front of audiences large and small telling jokes and sharing stories. Since their time working together as cast mates with The Story Pirates in Los Angeles, Khalia always knew Aparna had a love for being in work for young people and has leant her unique voice to popular animated series like The Great North and Mira, Royal Detective on Disney Jr. And make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming release of her new book filled with personal essays all about imposter syndrome. Aparna ends our episode inviting our audience to access their funny bone by giving us advice on how to land our favorite jokes.

Dynamic performer and motivational speaker for young people, Katy Geraghty joins host, Khalia Davis to share her unlikely artistic journey to the Broadway stage. From her Broadway debut in Groundhog Day the Musical, to starring in new works like Bliss and &Juliet, she is living her best life doing what she loves. Up next, she is about to star as Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods on Broadway, returning to her first ever role in theater when she was just a kid! Wow! While pursuing her artistic dreams, she always finds ways to give back to the next generation as a public speaker and social media personality advocating for equity and inclusion in the arts and showing them how to live a fully authentic life. Plus, kids don't want to miss a chance to learn how to build up confidence with what makes them special when Katy shares her inspiring Creative Craft!

Kimberly Marie Olivier joins host, Khalia Davis, to share her journey as a proud afro-Latina professional dancer and art maker. From early inspiring moments of representation dancing with the famed Ballet Hispanico in New York to inspiring the next generation of young dancers of color through her performances with the internationally acclaimed SF Ballet. Kim continues to champion the work of other talented dancers and artists of color while embracing new and innovative ways to create the art she loves. For this episode's Creative Craft, Kim gives our young viewers the secret to spinning in circles for as long as you want without getting dizzy!

Awarding-winning native Hawaiian television and stage actor, director, writer, and storyteller, Moses Goods reunites with our host, Khalia, after their time working together on the critically-acclaimed production of A Kids Play About Racism. Moses shares his journey discovering his passion for performing that came from an unlikely audience and the pride he has for his multiple identities - being both Black and Hawaiian. He offers words of wisdom to our young viewers and invites them to learn a traditional seated hula for their Creative Craft.

HAWAIIAN
I luna lā I luna
Nā manu o ka lewa

I lalo lua i lalo
Nā pua o ka honua

I uka lā i uka
Nā ulu lāʻau

I kai lā I kai
Nā iʻa o ka moana

Haʻina mai ka puana
A he nani ke ao nei

He inoa no nā kamaliʻi

ENGLISH
Up, up above
Birds fly in the sky

Down, down
Flowers of the earth

Upland, up in the uplands
The grove of trees

In the sea, the sea
The fishes of the ocean

Tell the refrain
Of this beautiful world

In honor of the children

In celebration of International Arts Education Week, this week's episode of Sunday Spotlight features our host, Khalia's friend, artist, educator, activist and former Disney Theatrical Group co-worker, Najah Muhammad! They reconnect over their shared love of the power of arts education for young people and the need for more positive, uplifting platforms like her podcast, Underrepresented Represenatives. She discovered her passion for teaching artistry early in life because of her mom, Fonda Muhammad, the founder of Leaders by Choice, an arts nonprofit serving children and young adults. Najah teaches our young viewers fun tools they can add to their Actor Toolkit. What's in your toolkit?

Welcome back to another season of Sunday Spotlight! We have been busy during our hiatus putting together a brand new original show called The Imaginaries: An Immersive Musical! This is even more exciting because it is the first major collaboration between our creative storytellers in our BACT Writer's Room! In this special insider episode, our host, Khalia, interviews the incredible artists that make up our writer's room. They share about their own artistic journeys and what makes working together this past season so meaningful. At the end, Khalia and the writers invite our young viewers to dream up a fun adventure they would have with their own imaginary friend, write it down and then act it out for their grown ups!

Guests:
Ali Xavier Travis
Samantha Miller
Carissa Atallah
Samantha Blain

Sunday Spotlight  –
For our season one finale, Khalia learns all about the fun and fascinating world of clowning from her two buddies, Marisol Shapiro and Andrew P. Quick! You may even recognize Andrew from past BACT shows like Press Here and Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy the National Tour. Together, they dispel a lot of myths about clowns and instead demonstrate the real mission and heart behind the art form. From Clowns Without Borders to the Medical Clown Project, these two masters of silly, share all the many reasons why humans can use a bit of clown in their lives. Our young viewers get an extra special treat when they get to meet and play with Andrew and Marisol's clown alter egos during their Creative Craft!

Sunday Spotlight –
Rhiannon Brogan is a Voice Actor represented in the Bay Area. She discovered the world of voice over while studying Theatre at USC, and since 2011, Rhiannon has focused her acting career behind the microphone. She has honed her skills through her experiences ranging from voicing video games/interactive, toys & e-learning to commercials, narration, and more. Credits include (but certainly not limited to): NB2K video games, Vainglory, Animal Island Learning Adventure, LeapFrog, Hatchibabies, Fingerlings, Del Taco, Grammarly, GoDaddy, PG&E, and exhibits at the de Young Museum & The Legion of Honor.

Sunday Spotlight –
TYA playwright, composer, director and performer, Tyrone L. Robinson joins Khalia to talk about the joy-filled journey of taking a beloved children's book and adapting it for the stage. After the closing of Frozen on Broadway, Tyrone had some more time on his hands and he hasn't wasted a moment, most recently creating a new work for Kennedy Center's resident artist, Jacqueline Woodson! Khalia and Tyrone invite our young viewers to write their own story with a special futuristic twist!