SPARK

Welcome to SPARK, a podcast from South Fulton Arts.

We have an extra special episode for you all, as we flip the roles and invite our own South Fulton Arts Executive Director Jennifer Bauer-Lyons to speak about directing our upcoming play reading, Tiny Beautiful Things!

With a diverse background in the arts and administration, Jennifer has directed over 80 plays and musicals nationwide, led organizations like GA Shakesp...

Welcome back to Spark, a podcast from South Fulton Arts! -- Today, we’re welcoming back to SPARK SFA friend and collaborator Clifton Guterman!

Originally from Iron City, Georgia, Clifton Guterman is an Atlanta casting director, acting coach, and director. Founder of Thrive Acting Hive and Clifton Guterman Casting, he formerly served as the Tony Award-winning Alliance Theatre's Artistic Assistant, as Casting Director and Na...

Welcome back to Spark, a podcast from South Fulton Arts!

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Today, we have the pleasure of talking with an esteemed partner for the 2024 Create Program: multifaceted artist and community changemaker Immanuel Laidlaw. 

As a Jamaican American first-generation graduate of Morehouse, Immanuel has always held a profound commitment to narrative change and community empowerment. Overcoming homelessness, his resilience propelled him to est...

Welcome back to Spark! A podcast from South Fulton Arts

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Today, we're excited to chat with Atlanta actor, Brian Ashton Smith.

Brian is a multifaceted talent whose extensive career spans genres and media. His many credits in telveision and film include Cobra Kai, The Ms. Pat Show, Dolly Parton's Heartstrings, and The Evil Inside Her in which he starred opposite his wife Melissa and Oscar nominee Eric Roberts...

Welcome back to Spark! A podcast from South Fulton Arts

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Today, we have the honor of speaking with Atlanta Filmmaker, Writer, and Director: Ebony Blanding. 

As the co-founder of the art film house, House of June, Ebony has not only presented her films at esteemed educational institutions like Spelman College, Emory University, and John H. Hopkins University but has also left an indelible mark on prestigious film festivals includi...

Welcome to Spark, a podcast from the South Fulton Institute!

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Caitlin King is an Innovative and action-oriented leader with experience in nonprofit development, personnel management, facilities management and event execution. She prides herself on being a resourceful problem solver who is well-versed in leading a wide variety of events with a focus on increasing community awareness and involvement. Caitlin has worked as the dire...

Welcome to Spark, a podcast from the South Fulton Institute

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Today we talk to ANON the Griot! ANON is a dynamic force at the intersection of spoken word, education, and Hip-Hop culture. Drawing inspiration from the impactful ideologies of Gil Scott-Heron and the subtle subversion of James Baldwin, he wields words as his sword and shield. As an educator, ANON passionately believes in the transformative power of education as a nob...

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

This week, we sit down with Tatiana Fitata (he/they) about all things flower arrangements, being a filmmaker, an artist, and an organizer in the city of Atlanta. Tatiana will be leading a flower arrangement workshop titled "Harmonious Gardens" this Saturday, October 14th, at the Red Oak Arts Festival in partnership with the Red Oak District. Join us for an insig...

Welcome back to SPARK! A podcast from the South Fulton Institute. This week we sit down with Jessy Díaz.

Jessy is a highly motivated and energetic musician (singer, percussionist, musicologist, and teacher) with international exposure. Originally from Cuba, as a performer she focuses on the Latin jazz, cha-cha-cha, danzón, son, mambo, and bolero genres. Not only is she an excellent singer, she is also competent in playing a wi...

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

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This week we sit down with cellist Jenn Cornell. Jenn Cornell is a performer, composer and educator bringing cello across boundaries with her visionary style of playing, creating songs that stretch what a cello can be, and inspiring young musicians with her mentor approach to teaching.  Jenn has had a diverse career as a professional musician beginning at age 11 wh...

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

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This week we sit down with Co-founders of Reentry Arts Connection. The Reentry ARTS Connection was established in Atlanta, Georgia, in the Spring of 2021, by co-founders Curtis Alexander King, CEO, and Garry Yates, Creative Director.  With combined experience, King and Yates have spent over 50 years of service and patronage in the arts. They understand, on a personal an...

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

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This week we sit down with Atlanta quilter and CEO of the Atlanta Quilt Festival, O.V. Brantley. In her own words: "I started quilting to relieve stress, but now I quilt for the sheer joy of it. My quilts have become such a part of my life that I renovated the attic in my home so that I could have a private studio that I call paradise. My quilts tend to be inspira...

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

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This week we sit down with McKinley Stinson, Jr. Dr Stinson is the band director at J.C. Booth Middle School in Peachtree City, GA. His responsibilities include directing the 6th, 7th and 8th grade concert bands, BMS Warrior Pep Band, Jazz Ensemble, Chamber Winds, and Percussion Ensemble. McKinley is the co-founder of Atlanta based trio, North Star Percussion. Mr. Stin...

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

- In this episode we will be speaking with Alexander Acosta of Soul Food Cypher. Alexander “Cost One” Acosta is a Community Leader, Arts Advocate, and the Founding Executive Director of Soul Food Cypher. In 2011, he had a vision of creating the cypher while mentoring at-risk teenagers at the Whitefoord Intel computer clubhouse in in Atlanta, Georgia. Originally, he aime...

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

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In this episode, we’ll be talking with Actor Jeff Hathcoat. After living and performing in NYC for almost a decade, Jeff Hathcoat moved back home to Atlanta in 2018. That year, he made his Atlanta debut at Synchronicity Theatre in Midtown, followed by an appearance at Essential Theatre during the summer of 2019 performing in Slaying Holofernes by Emily McClain. Jef...

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 ...

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 se...

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...

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 Di...