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Connecting Artists To Opportunity

Formed in 2016, tall poPpy is an artist-led social enterprise which seeks to instigate systemic change in theatre. Co-founders Jeanine Tesori, Torya Beard, and Darren Biggart develop programs that center those who are often marginalized. They bring artists together to create work, develop opportunities, and interact with issues that are relevant to the community at large. Artists in Residence: Ayodele Casel (World Premiere: WHILE I HAVE THE FLOOR, Spoleto Arts Festival), Alex Puette (Developmental Residency). Education & Advocacy: Town Halls with Harvard University, Pace University, Emory & Henry College; Project DASL campaign (in development)

Torya Beard, Co-Founder

Torya is a Creative Director, Creative Strategist and Arts Educator with more than 20 years of professional experience as a dancer/choreographer/teacher and more than 15︎ years of experience in pr, marketing, and theatrical production. She was a featured dancer in more than a dozen dance companies as well as Disney's The Lion King on Broadway. Torya serves as the Executive Director of A BroaderWay Foundation, is Co- Director of Original Tap House, and Managing/Creative Director of AyoLives. She is 2019-20 Artist in Residence at the Harvard ArtLab, the Arts Education Consultant for Excellence Community Schools and is on the Advisory Board of Earl Mosley's Diversity of Dance. Select recent projects: “Ayodele Casel + Arturo O’Farrill” at The Joyce Theater (Creative Director, Assistant Choreographer), Ayodele Casel’s “Rooted” for New York City Center’s inaugural season of On The Move (Creative Director), Ayodele Casel's "Diary of A Tap Dancer v.4" (Director), Classical Theatre of Harlem’s “The First Noel” (Associate Choreographer), “Jesus Christ SuperStar - In Concert,” (Producer), Idina Menzel 2017 World Tour (Creative Director).

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Darren Biggart, Co-Founder

Darren is a Creative Producer, Director/ Choreographer, and Educator based in NYC. Producer: EVITA & 4 seasons of Encores! Off-Center at New York City Center, where he co-founded an internship for early-career artists. Director of Programming: A BroaderWay Foundation, an arts-centered leadership program for middle school girls. Vocal Assistant: West Side Story film, dir. Stephen Spielberg. Director: Idina Menzel’s World Tour (2017). Director/choreographer: Pace University & Plymouth State University. Co-founder: tall poPpy, inc, an artist-led social enterprise that develops new work, educational & advocacy programs (Spoleto Arts Festival, Harvard University, National YoungArts Foundation, SDC). AEA Performer: National Tour (ELF); Madison Square Garden, Kennedy Center, NY City Center, PLCO, Muny, Prospect Theatre Co. BFA: University of Michigan.

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Jeanine Tesori, Co-Founder

Jeanine Tesori is an award-winning composer of musical theatre and opera. Along with Missy Mazzoli, Ms. Tesori is one of the first female composers commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera. Broadway: Fun Home (Tony Award, Pulitzer finalist); Caroline, or Change (Olivier Award); Violet; Shrek; Thoroughly Modern Millie; Twelfth Night; A Free Man of Color. The Public: Mother Courage. Opera: Blue (Libretto, Tazewell Thompson); A Blizzard on Marblehead Neck (Tony Kushner); The Lion, The Unicorn and Me (J.D. McClatchy); Grounded (George Brant). Supervising Vocal Producer for Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story. Founding Artistic Director: Encores! Off-Center. Lecturer: Yale University. Current: Soft Power at the Public Theater.

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