TAH-JANAY

ARTIST

Tah-Janay is a multi-disciplinary artist that rejects the traditional labels of determination that are often used to keep Black women in their boxes. What is of the most importance to Tah-Janay, is the calling to be a Griot and tell the stories of their ancestors and of the souls still walking this earth but who may be unable to use their voices themselves and they feel empowered to do that in the medium that best serves that particular story.

Raised on the Southside of St. Petersburg, Florida, Tah-Janay’s southern Black American heritage has remained a powerful influence within the stories they dare to tell.

You may have seen her playwriting debut at THE ARCHIVE: New Works by Black Women Staged Reading Series at The Flea Theater featuring her newest work “Burdens” or their directorial debut, “Clara & Carmilla” at the Fresh Fruits Festival last year. Tah-Janay’s newest work “TART/s” will be debuting at the Limon Salon on December 7th. Click HERE for tickets!

Tah-Janay is currently the General Management Fellow for 25/26 at Playwrights Horizons.

Tah-Janay Shayoñe graduated from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee with a B. F. A in Contemporary Theater and currently resides in NYC.

Tah-Janay is dedicated to a world that uplifts and highlights the diverse and colorful experiences of black people.

As a writer, I feel that is my task to be a birther of worlds, spirits and connections. A maker and sower of seeds; allowing my essence and my soul— my love, my pain and my joy, to exist within them. I create to illuminate, examine and to become. Truth lives within me and I sing its words through rhythm and style.

                                                                                           - Tah-Janay Shayoñe

AEA UNION

248-533-3129

HEIGHT: 5’4”

VOCAL RANGE: MEZZO/BELT (C3-A6)

THEATER

Burdens Nanya/Ramona THE ARCHIVE: New Works by Black Women at The Flea Theater

TJ Loves Sally 4 Ever Sally Speakeasy Stage Company

For Colored Girls Who (etc) Lady in Blue Samuel-Lancaster Productions

The Balcony Madame Irma Boston Conservatory

The Diary of Annie Mae Franklin Annie Mae American Stage

Good Kids Daphne Boston Conservatory

The Secret in the Wings Ensemble Pinellas County Center for the Arts

The Bluest Eye Claudia Studio@620

Ordinary People Jeannine St. Petersburg City Theater

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Daisy/Sookie Pinellas County Center for the Arts

FILM/TELEVISON

(r)EVOLVE* Sophie Ayana Francois & Shane Mendoza

PLAYWRITING

Burdens THE ARCHIVE: New Works by Black Women Staged Reading at The Flea Theater

FRUITS

Correct Me, if I’m Wrong

Schwelle

DIRECTION

Mija. Directing Asst. NAMT Festival of New Musicals

Correct Me, if I’m Wrong Boston Conservatory

I’m Straight* Assistant Director Euphoria Theater Project

Schwelle Boston Conservatory

Memphis The Musical Assistant Director St. Petersburg City Theater

Heart in the Ground Clearwater High School

PRODUCTION

Bel-Air Creative Consultant

Graduation Day Intimacy Coordinator

For Colored Girls Who (etc) Assistant Producer Samuel-Lancaster Productions

Schwelle Boston Conservatory

EDUCATION

Theater of Change by Broadway Advocacy Coalition & The Center for Institutional and Social Change at Columbia Law

B. F. A. in Contemporary Theater at Boston Conservatory at Berklee College of Music

Pinellas County Center for the Arts

SPECIAL SKILLS

Suzuki, Growotoski, Lecoq, Acrobatics, Devising, Intimacy Trained, Viewpoints Trained, Dialects (Brooklyn/Bronx, South Jersey, North Jersey, RP, Cockney, West African, American Southern, American Country, French,), Lyrical Dance, Driver’s License

AWARDS

Outstanding Ensemble for “Clara & Carmilla” at Fresh Fruits Festival 2024

Thomas Derrah Emerging Artist Award 2021

Critics’ Choice Award for Solo Monologue at Florida State Thespians 2016

*denotes film work