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Ayesis Clay

Performance, Theatre

My work lives at the intersection of education, emotional wellness, and creativity.

About the Artist

Ayesis Clay is a distinguished Theatre educator, stage director, and nationally sought-after performer. Her solo show, Sculpting Clay or How I Became Mother of Unicorns, has been featured at the John F. Kennedy Center (Washington, DC), the 2022 Educational Theatre Association’s National Teaching Conference (Los Angeles, CA), and in school districts nationwide.  Now booking:  🔹Plays Sculpting Clay or How I Became Mother of Unicorns (High School/College/Community/Professional) The Monster at the End of This Play (Young Audiences/Community/Professional) Standing on the Edge (High School/Community/Professional) 🔹Student Residencies and Workshops  🔹Teacher Professional Development

Ayesis Clay website Sculpted Clay Productions Website Ayesis Clay website Ayesis Clay Website

Artist's Statement

"Sculpting Clay or How I Became Mother of Unicorns" by Ayesis Clay is a dynamic one-woman show that chronicles the transformative journey of a teacher navigating the labyrinth of education. Through a blend of imaginative storytelling and raw honesty, Ayesis reveals her path from a reluctant educator to a beacon of hope for her students. The play delves into themes of resilience, compassion fatigue, and the power of creative reflection, offering a heartfelt tribute to the unsung heroes in classrooms everywhere. Intended Audience Educators, Administrators, and Mental Health Professionals: This play is especially impactful for those working in the education sector, offering a deep, personal look at the highs and lows of teaching. Students of Education and Theatre: Aspiring teachers and theatre practitioners will find valuable lessons in resilience, creativity, and the realities of the education system. General Public: Anyone interested in the challenges and triumphs of teachers, or those who enjoy compelling, character-driven narratives, will gain a lot from attending. Learning Objectives Understanding Compassion Fatigue: Audiences will gain insight into the emotional challenges teachers face, particularly how they can lead to compassion fatigue and burnout. Creative Reflection: Viewers will learn how creative practices and imaginative storytelling can serve as powerful tools for personal and professional reflection. Resilience Building: The play illustrates the importance of resilience and perseverance in the face of overwhelming challenges and setbacks. Importance of Authentic Connections: Audiences will see the significance of forming genuine connections with students and how these relationships can impact both students and educators deeply. Navigating Personal and Professional Identity: The play addresses the balance and conflict between personal aspirations and professional responsibilities, providing a relatable narrative for many educators.  

Featured Work

Photos

Ayesis Clay is an actress, director, and teaching artist. Her most recent work with Theatre Alliance was stage managing for The Trans-Atlantic Time Traveling Company. Some of her favorite acting credits include Mayme in Intimate Apparel (DC Black Theatre Festival), Bud Not Buddy (Adventure Theatre), and Miss Leah in Flyin’ West (CVPA-Suitland). Ayesis has written and produced Standing on the Edge, which has toured locations across the US and recently premiered her one-woman show, Sculpting Clay or How I Became Mother of Unicorns, which will be presented in Geneva, NY (June 2019). She is a proud inaugural member of the Assistant Director Fellowship for People of Color (Adventure Theatre). For 14 years, Ayesis served as the Theatre Department Chairperson for the Center for the Visual and Performing Arts at Suitland High School. During that time, she sat on the Prince George’s County Theatre Advisory Board and served as Co-Director of the PGCPS Honor's Theatre Ensemble (2014-2018). She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre (NC Central University), a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction (University of Phoenix), and is a certified Arts Integration Specialist (University of Maryland, College Park). Ayesis currently serves as a teaching artist and has worked with such organizations as Young Playwrights Theatre (DC), Adventure Theatre, Imagination Stage, Capital Charter Public Schools (DC), and Maryland Performing Arts Academy (MD). Visit her online at www.AyesisClay.com
Performance still shot from Standing on the Edge
Performance Picture from Standing on the Edge
Sculpted Clay or How I Became Mother of Unicorns
Promotional Image of the solo show Sculpting Clay or How I Became Mother of Unicorns. Ayesis Clay in various moments throughout the play. Themes addressed include: fantasy, identity, mental wellness, social justice, healing, and resilience.

Videos

  • Standing on the Edge

    See more information about Standing on the Edge
    Standing on the Edge trailer
    Medium: Theatre
    Year: 2017
    Details: 80 minutes (with an optional 15 minute talkback)

  • Sculpting Clay or How I Became Mother of Unicorns

    See more information about Sculpting Clay or How I Became Mother of Unicorns
    Sculpting Clay or How I Became Mother of Unicorns is a solo show written and performed by Ayesis Clay. It is a coming-of-age tale about one woman’s attempts to navigate the fantastical journey of her dreams while repeatedly being drawn into the complicated, often dark realities that her students face: self-actualization, oppressive systems in schools, incarceration, and even death. Weaving fantastical projections with live action, this solo performance addresses a silently increasing problem in our schools: secondary traumatic stress in educators.

    It usually accompanies the "REIGNITE: Addressing Compassion Fatigue and Burnout in Educators" workshop.
    Details: Run- Time: 1 hour (with accompanying workshop: 2 hours)

Written Works

Booking

Booking Price: $2,001-$5,000

For all booking inquiries, please contact:
Ayesis Clay
ayesis@sculptedclayproductions.com
Phone: 240-232-8381

Sculpting Clay or How I Became Mother of Unicorns will be traveling with one (1) performer (AYESIS CLAY), a production assistant, and a MAC laptop. Ayesis’ laptop will be used for the performance and any additional residency/workshop/professional development.  All sound and projection cues for the show will be run through QLab from the laptop by the production assistant.

Sculpting Clay or How I Became Mother of Unicorns requires an onsite contact for all technical needs.

Running Time of Production
The performance runs 45 minutes with an optional 10 minute talkback.
Set up time: Minimum of 1.5 hour before the house opens is needed for the combination of load in, tech set up, and walk thru rehearsal.
Tear down time/strike: Minimum of 30 minutes after the performance/talkback ends

Performance Space
Venue provides:
- At least a 10 x 10 foot stage/performance space
- 6 chairs (preferably non-folding without wheels) for performer
- 1 sturdy table (non-folding) for performer (Note: Performer will stand/sit on this)
- A small desk/table offstage or space inside of the booth for Production Assistant

Projector and Projection Surface
Venue provides:
- A large projection screen
- Projector
- Power outlet for Ayesis' Macbook

**Ayesis provides the Mac laptop with the projections in QLAB to be operated by the Production Assistant. Ayesis also provides either VGA or HDMI adapter needed to connect to the projector/SMART BOARD.

Sound
Venue provides:
- If space does not not a built in sound system, the school/venue will provide a PA system
Ayesis provides Mac laptop with the sound in Qlab (same laptop with projections), controlled by the Production Assistant.