Book

Kelundra Smith moderating a panel in July 2022 at True Colors Theatre in Atlanta.

If you like what you’ve read, you’ll love what you hear. I deliver keynote addresses and workshops about art and writing for professionals and students across the country. I have taught workshops at BroadwayCon, Theatre Communications Group, Emory University, Syracuse University and more. I’d love to share exciting possibilities with you.

Appearances

Panels, Keynotes and Workshops

Actor’s Express

American Players Theatre

Aurora Theatre

Boston University

BroadwayCon

Clayton State University

Emory University

Georgia Ensemble Theatre

Georgia State University

National Black Theatre Festival

Northwestern University

Roberts Wesleyan College

Synchronicity Theatre

Syracuse University

Theatre Communications Group Conference 

University of Georgia

UNC Charlotte 

Interviews

American Theatre Magazine Canon Reloaded: 3 Playwrights Respond to 20th Century Classics by Howard Sherman

WABE 90.1 City Lights with Lois Reitzes “Kelundra Smith’s new play, ‘Younger’ is a prequel to ‘A Raisin in the Sun’

Her with Amena Brown “Best TV of 2020″

Beltline to Broadway “Live Chat with Kelundra Smith

WOSU 89.7 All Sides with Anne Fisher “Black Representation In Theater From ‘Othello’ To ‘Hamilton’” (hear me at 36:05)

WABE 90.1 City Lights with Lois Reitzes How A Book Of Poetry Became An Original Ballet Written For A Black Ballerina

GPB 88.5 On Second Thought with Virginia Prescott Several Original Productions Taking Centerstage in Atlanta

GPB 88.5 On Second Thought with Virginia Prescott “Spring Arts Events and Festivals”

WABE 90.1 City Lights with Lois Reitzes Atlanta Critic on the State of Black Theatre in America

Areas of Expertise

  1. Arts journalism
  2. Theater criticism 
  3. Grant writing for individual artists
  4. Equity, diversity & inclusion in media and public relations 
  5. Media relations for independent artists
  6. Culturally competent interviews in reporting
  7. Higher education communications strategies for alumni relations and capital campaigns

Workshops

THE ARTS

The Art of Writing A (good) Review

Nowadays everyone thinks they’re a critic, but there is a difference between the thoughtful analysis offered by theater experts and the Rotten Tomatoes score. Get comfortable in the aisle seat in this half-day workshop, during which participants will go see a play and write a review.

Introduction to Theatre Criticism

The objective of this workshop is to offer novices an introduction to the field of arts criticism. Over the course of the workshop, participants will learn the basics of writing a review and examine a variety of factors to consider in writing a review (form/style, new work vs classics, gender, race, etc.).

MARKETING

Produce Yourself: Personal Branding for Creatives

A life of art is full of possibilities, but those possibilities can also feel overwhelming. Everyone has more than one talent, and there’s no need to choose which ones you use, but there is a need to hone in on the one you want to be your calling card. In this workshop, students will learn how to write an elevator pitch that will help them present their most authentic selves to the world. The name of the workshop is from Marianne Williamson: “Maturity includes the recognition that no one is going to see anything in us that we don’t see in ourselves. Stop waiting for a producer. Produce yourself.”

Media Relations for Artists and Arts Administrators 

In this 90-minute workshop, participants will get a high-level view of the news cycle and deadlines, how to develop relationships with journalists and influencers, how to pitch stories that standout and places to get arts coverage outside of traditional news outlets. 

JOURNALISM

Media Literacy 101

Nowadays every one is talking about real and fake news and questioning whether all reporters are biased. It’s hard to know who to trust and how interviews become stories. In this 90-minute workshop, we’ll go through how to identify trustworthy news sources, how news outlets ensure accuracy and what factors determine which information gets into an article.

I’m the only Kelundra I know, so if you’ve accidentally stumbled upon this page, it’s fate (and I have no idea what word you were trying to type in your search engine).