Danielle A. Drakes
THEATRE PROFESSIONAL, WRITER & ADVOCATE
This is Danielle... (a snippet)
"Drakes’s direction will leave you breathless. It is fast-moving and hard-hitting. She seems to have used every inch of her actors’ physical and mental capability to bring the message home to the audience."
Danielle A. Drakes is a multi-faceted theatre professional with extensive experience in performance, directing and arts administration. Drakes has dedicated her career to using theatre as a tool for envisioning a more empathetic and equitable society. As an actor, she blends living history with social impact. As an artistic doula she has supported artists on their creative journeys from idea to execution with care. She developed and directed Paige Hernandez’s solo shows Paige in Full and Havana Hop and both continuing to tour nationally and internationally.
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Most recently, she directed two world premiere productions: The Wilting Point at Keegan Theatre and Ghost/Writer at Rep Stage. Professionally, her work has earned her a Helen Hayes Awards nod for outstanding direction. Additional professional credits include The Kennedy Center and Ford’s Theatre, where she originated the role of Elizabeth Keckley in History on Foot (recipient of the Helen Hayes, The Washington Post Award).
She is a member of DC’s Taffety Punk Theatre Company, Actors' Equity Association and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. She received her BA in Theatre from Goucher College and MFA in Acting from The Catholic University of America.
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Currently, Ms. Drakes is splitting her time between the stage and the classroom as an assistant professor of theatre arts at Towson University.
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Lectures and Intensives
Devising For Social Change
An in depth exploration of devising theatre that fuels positive social change. Participants receive a guided experience in devising theatre which includes; building and working as an ensemble, tactics for collaborative thought and staging call to action works.
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NAVIGATING ISMs & PHOBIAs IN PROFESSIONAL THEATRE SPACES
An interactive conversation on best practices navigating bias in professional cultural arts spaces, specifically theatre. An introspective look at conflict resolution, self-preservation and advocating for equitable growth opportunities.
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VOICE PRODUCTION & SPEECH
An intensive on performing complicated text. Participants receive techniques on speaking, memorizing and performing classical and stylized text.
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