Spark: Igniting Dynamic Dialogue

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 organi...

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,...

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

Welcome back to Spark! A podcast from South Fulton Arts -- 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...

Welcome back to Spark! A podcast from South Fulton Arts -- 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 o...

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

Welcome to Spark, a podcast from the South Fulton Institute --- 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 transfo...

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...

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...

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

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

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

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

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 Atla...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 program...

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 program...