Teaching Artist Ayesis Clay Shares Her Journey as a Theater Professional

In this inaugural episode of ArtsEnPower, youth host Karina G interviews education and theater professional Ayesis Clay. Ayesis Clay is a multi-disciplinary artist and playwright based in Prince George’s County, MD but serving the entire state of Maryland as a teaching artist. She talks to Karina about her journey as an artist and teacher and how she is helping public school teachers address their trauma through theatre.

ArtsEnPower is a youth-produced program series that focuses on the ways that creative people use their artistry to enhance their community. ArtsEnPower is a project through the MCM Youth Media Academy. The MCM Youth Media Academy is an out-of-school time program that offers media instruction and leadership training to youth aged 13-17 years-old. Taught by Montgomery Community Media professionals, using an Advancing Youth Development (AYD) framework, MCM Youth Media Academy is designed to engage youth in quality media instruction tailored to their age group.

This production was recorded and produced virtually as MCM studios are closed to the public due to COVID-19. To learn more about MCM classes and programs, visit https://archive.mymcmedia.org/training/up…​

Music provided by Manhattan Production Music.

Cast/Crew:

Host/Co-Producer: Karina G.

Co-Host: Lauren H.

Writers/Co-Producers: Lauren H. and Khari D.

MCM Youth Media Academy Instructor:

Khadijah Ali-Coleman, Ed.D.

About Khadijah Ali-Coleman, Ed.D.

The ArtsEnPower blog is curated by MCM’s Director of Education and Community Engagement, Khadijah Ali-Coleman, EdD. Dr. Ali-Coleman is founding director of Liberated Muse Arts Group, a Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist awardee and 2020 Quadrant Playwright Fellow with Theater Alliance in Washington DC. She has taught at schools throughout the area, including Montgomery College, Northern Virginia Community College and Morgan State University. Growing up in both Montgomery County and Prince George’s County, MD, she was born in Washington DC and has shared her art within the region for more than 20 years as a performer and teaching artist.

View all posts by Khadijah Ali-Coleman, Ed.D.