Transforming MSU Playwriting Fellowship
Transforming Theatre Ensemble, or TTE, is partnering with the Department of Theatre to develop and present a series of student-written and student-performed short plays that will be presented in showcase performances for members of the MSU community as a part of the Department of Theatre’s 2023-24 offerings.
These short plays will have a continued life as a part of Transforming Theatre Ensemble's repertoire, and may be performed in the context of hybrid performance-workshops offered by the Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion for students, faculty, staff and administrators at MSU.
2024-25 Playwriting Fellows
Yétúndé S. Alábẹdé
Yétúndé S. Alábẹdé is a Doctoral student in the Curriculum, Instruction, and Teacher Education (CITE) Program. She is interested in the language practices of African families at “home” and in the diaspora. Through (auto)ethnographic and Global South epistemological approach, Yétúndé centers on African indigenous knowledge and ways of being in her research approach. At her leisure, Yetunde loves cooking and spending quality time with her family transnationally.
Marcos Barrera
Marcos Barrera is a film photographer and filmmaker based in Grand Rapids, MI. His artistic practice began with an interest in black and white film photography. He has received accolades for his photography including multiple Gold and Silver Key awards from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards and being named a 2023 and 2024 YoungArts Winner in Photography. His passion slowly blossomed into a love for the moving image as well. He was recently named a 2024 YoungArts Winner with Distinction in Film for his short, “Juntos.” In his work, Marcos employs realism and documentary techniques, providing an authentic perspective on narratives often overlooked, influenced by his upbringing in an environment marked by gang violence. He hopes to illustrate stories that are often not portrayed, by centering themes of family, resilience, and the universal nature of struggle across communities, particularly for young men.
Ming Ming Cheung (she/her)
Ming Ming Cheung (she/her), born and raised in Hong Kong, is a doctoral student in the Curriculum, Instruction, and Teacher Education program at Michigan State University. Living between diverse cultures, Ming has developed a profound interest in exploring the intricate identities of transnational youth through digital storytelling. With a deep commitment to promoting the voices and experiences of these youth, she is dedicated to sharing their stories as a means of empowerment
Miguel R. Mejía
Miguel R. Mejía is an international first-year grad student in the Ph.D. in Mathematics Education (PRIME). He comes from Colombia, where he used to work as a mathematics teacher for middle and high school. Since he was a child Miguel has experienced a deep love for poetry and performing arts. During his adolescence, he joined a local theatre initiative at the time he discovered a passion for reading verses. In his undergrad, Miguel participated in a university theatre collective and organized reading sessions with his classmates and friends. For the last five years, he has had the opportunity to work in a small rural school located in Curití, Colombia. There, Miguel strove to bring art to this community by opening spaces for local artists and leading activities to develop artistic affinities in different scenarios like theatre, circus, poetry, photography, and declamation. Etc. At the same time, Miguel and his fiancée led a theatre group called Arte Parlante, formed by secondary students from the urban side of the town. This project allowed its members to explore artistic ways of standing up for social claims; and to foster a self, collective, and environmental awareness for caring and healing. Miguel has explored writing and feeling poetry taking part in local expressions organized for people who share the love for word. He participated in and supported the National Ismaelian Poetry Competition, as in writing as in declamation modalities, and also, motivated and trained his students in joining the different versions of this wonderful event. Miguel is convinced arts provide people sensibility and tools necessary to heal, recognize, reconcile, empower, care, and love.
Sam Kerby (He/Him)
Sam Kerby (He/Him) is an undergraduate Secondary Education major with an English focus. He applied and was accepted into the Transforming Playwright's fellowship in 2024, and hopes to bring his previous experience in theater, competitive performance, poetry, and creative writing into this new opportunity. He seeks to continue producing works that do not shy away from important subjects and is incredibly excited to bring his visions to life. Sam has been an advocate for and participant in speech and performance throughout his life, becoming an active member of his Speech and Debate team and Theatre Department while in high school. While at MSU, he has continued these passions through other clubs such as Mock Trial and Spartan Speech, continuing to cultivate both his own voice and the voices of others.
Dasmen Richards (she/her)
Dasmen Richards (she/her) has familial roots that extend across the south from Memphis, Tennessee to Charleston, South Carolina. But she was born and raised in Riverdale, Georgia, and spent her adolescence in Fayetteville, GA. She is also a PhD candidate in the K-12 Educational Administration & Leadership program in the College of Education at Michigan State University. Dasmen is an advocate for getting your body and mind moving, whether that is picking up a set of dumbbells, having a thought-provoking conversation with family or friends, or reading a book. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends, exercising, finding new places to eat, being in the community, and traveling. Dasmen’s love for music, theater, and films began with her bonding time with her mother, as they would listen to an eclectic range of music and watch Old Hollywood movies together. She has also spent some time in her childhood years on and off the stage. Dasmen is looking forward to stepping back into the theater world, but this time with a pen in hand.