ARABIA PARKEY*

Arabia Parkey is a second-year student double-majoring in Journalism and Studio Art at the University of Iowa. A multimedia artist originally from Des Moines, Iowa, Arabia’s practice serves to highlight Black experiences and accentuate the beauty of Black features. Through each piece of art, Arabia depicts an intense image influenced by both her upbringing and current world events affecting the Black community. Arabia also uses her role as an event organizer and co-founder of the Akyn collective to create space for Black artists to thrive. Through Akyn, she has co-organized over 7 arts and community-based events throughout Des Moines, Ames, and Iowa City in the past two years. Arabia is a storyteller at heart, compelled to share and uplift Black experiences through her art, journalism, and activism.  

BRAXTEN JONES*

Braxten Jones is a fourth-year Theatre and Mathematics student at the University of Iowa, and she is very excited to perform in this showcase! This is her sixth performed show at the university after appearing in Bonnets, Seven Neos on the Brink of Mediocracy, Ascend, Smile Medicine and And Then. She would like to thank everyone involved in making this showcase possible and hopes you enjoy the evening! 

A. EMMANUEL LEADON

A. Emmanuel Leadon is a comedian, author, and draftsman from the remote island nation of South Oak Cliff, whose writing for the page, stage, and screen approaches current events with surrealism, hyperbole, ​and a distorted sense of language. His work has been staged, presented, and/or funded by Arts Mission Oak Cliff, Black Revolutionary Theater Workshop,  the Play Penn Conference, the Great Plains Theater Conference, American Theater Group, the National New Play Network, the Yale Department of Theater Studies, and the Dallas Office of Arts and Culture. He currently studies playwriting at the University of Iowa. 

GARIN CLINTON-NELSON*

Garin is a second-year student from Davenport Iowa. Garin is a BA student majoring in Dance. This semester she will be taking part in the annual Dance Gala.  

GARIANNA CLINTON-NELSON*

Garianna Clinton-Nelson is a second-year student from Davenport Iowa. Garianna is currently a BFA student double majoring in Radiation Science and Dance. This semester she will be taking part in the annual Dance Gala.  

KABEDI MUTAMBA*

Kabedi Mutamba is a first-year UIowa student from the Quad Cities Area. Kabedi has been singing since they could talk, and they started participating in choir in the 4th grade. They have performed solos as part of Ankeny High School’s Visual Adrenaline Show Choir in 2020 and in Bettendorf High School Surround Sound’s 2021 and 2022 shows. While Kabedi is not pursuing a professional career in singing at UIowa, they are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of performances like this one. 

MICHAEL TAYLOR

Michael Taylor is a 2nd-year MFA Acting candidate from Chicago, Illinois. He received his BA in Speech Communication and Theatre from Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi. He is also a Spring '22 Initiate of the Nu Chi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and has most recently been cast in the upcoming UIowa Theatre Production The Bacchae portraying the role of Pentheus.  

STEVEN WILLIS

Born and raised in Chicago, IL, performance poet Steven Willis uses his poetic and theatrical background to embark on the daunting task of creatively articulating African American culture. With art heavily influenced by urban life and religion, Steven mixes elements of theatrical performance with formal teachings of anthropology and and political theory to express his eclectic personal narrative. Willis is a contributing writer to the Breakbeat Poets Anthology, NYU’s National Council for Teacher Journal, is a 3-time Individual Work Poetry Slam finalist, and former slam team member of the Nuyorican Poets café. Willis received his MFA in acting from the University of Iowa in 2021. He currently attends Iowa Writer’s Workshop for poetry. His first full collection, A Peculiar People, was released with Button Poetry in 2022.  

SAVANHA MOORE

Savanha Moore (She/Her/Hers) is a Theatrical Artist and Production Stage Manager from Southern California. She is happy to be continuing her education at the University of Iowa as a Stage Management MFA student. Her recent show credits include: HBO House of the Dragon Activation (SDCC 2022), Untitled Baby Play (IAMA Theatre), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Geffen Playhouse), Celestial Events (IAMA Theatre), Robin Hood Panto (Laguna Playhouse), Reapers Remorse (13th Floor Entertainment), Falling (Touring Opera), HULU’s Castle Rock Activation (SDCC 2018), and NBC’s Good Place Activation (SDCC 2018). Savanha thanks those who have always supported her on this journey and encouraged her to take that leap of faith; without your support none of this would be possible. She thanks you for coming and enjoying live theatre once again; enjoy the show! 

CAROLINE S. CLAY

Caroline S. Clay is an associate professor of acting here at the University of Iowa Department of Theatre Arts. She is a veteran actress of Broadway (Doubt, The Little Foxes), film (Morning Glory), and television (Grey's Anatomy). She is the winner of the 2021 NAACP Award for Best Actress in a Play (Skeleton Crew). Clay is extremely grateful for the opportunity to support and amplify the voices, stories, and narratives of young artists throughout communities of color.

TALIA HOWARD*

Talia Howard is a senior at the University of Iowa. She will be graduating in May with her Dance BA and certificate in Enterprise and Leadership. Talia is from Chicago, IL and had previous training at Joel Hall Dancers and Center. Throughout college, she has performed in many pieces in the dance department like choreography from Armando Duarte, Melinda Myers, etc. Talia has also performed in Dance Gala 2020 and 2021. She is expedited to perform in Dance Gala 2022. She currently teaches at the Iowa City Youth Ballet School and hopes to continue teaching dance in her future years. Talia would like to thank the audience for coming out and also like to thank anyone involved with the makings of this showcase. She is honored to be a part of showing off black talent at the university. Enjoy the show.