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Ayesis Clay | Actor, Director

@ayesis

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Actor. Director. Educator. Multi-passionate Artist. CEO and Founder of Sculpted Clay Productions LLC @sculptedclay ⁣

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Heading into tech for Flyin’ West! (Ticket info in bio!)

Tech days (especially 10/12s) can be brutal on the mind and body but they don’t have to be.

Share what things you do to prepare mentally and physically for long rehearsals!

#theatredirector #flyinwest #actor #actorselfcare @pgccarts @theatrepgcc taken in Prince George's County, Maryland by @ayesis

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2 years ago

Last night felt like a homecoming—and a triumph.

I am incredibly proud of the work we’ve done with this production. These PGCPS educators-turned-actors leaned into the script, trusted the process, and brought their full selves to the stage. Watching them embody this story with such honesty and heart? I was in awe.

And then… teachers in the audience said, “I feel seen.”
That moved me beyond words.

This is my why.
To humanize education.
To use theatre as a conduit for healing and transformation in our schools.

#PGCPS #UnicornTeachers #TheatreInEducation #TeacherWellness #EmotionalResilience #ArtsInEducation #ThisIsMyWhy #FullCircle @pgcpstheatre @pgcps @pgcpsspecialtyandarts taken in Prince George's Community College by @ayesis

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a year ago

The Class of 2006 got the version of me that didn’t know how to stop.

Twenty years. That’s how long it’s been since they walked out of my classroom at Suitland.

I was 27 when they got me. Still figuring myself out, still carrying the students I’d lost before I ever got to that building. I thought I was the one doing the teaching.

What I understand now is that the habits I built those first few years came with a cost I couldn’t see yet. Staying past dark. Taking their worries home with me. Answering the phone at 11pm because who else would. From the outside it looked like dedication — and honestly, it felt like dedication to me too.

I don’t regret one hour of it. I’d give it again.

But I want a different deal for the teachers coming up behind me. The ones who love this work the way I loved it, who are right now learning the same lesson I learned the hard way — that caring deeply and sacrificing yourself are somehow supposed to be the same thing.

They’re not supposed to be the same thing.

Sitting across from those grown faces last night, I kept thinking about how much beauty is still in this work. We just have to stop treating a teacher’s disappearance as the cost of doing it well.

Class of 2006 — thank you for growing up with me. 🖤

If there’s a teacher in your building who gives like this, send them this post.

Andif you’re a leader watching your strongest people run on fumes, comment UNICORN and i’ll share what we actually do about it. by @ayesis

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a month ago

I really thought leaving the classroom to travel the country as a speaker and facilitator was going to be all cute hotel rooms, exciting cities, and glamorous travel days.

Meanwhile… I’m dragging two bags through the airport, trying to remember what city I’m in, and walking into the hotel room like I just completed a full theatrical production by myself. 😂

But then I get to explore a new place.

I get to meet incredible educators.

I get to create spaces where the people who pour into everyone else finally get poured into, too.

So yes, the travel can wear me out.

And yes, I still love this life.

The adventure, the people, the purpose… all of it.

Where should this work take me next? 🦄💜 by @ayesis

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3 months ago

❤️❤️❤️❤️. by @ayesis

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5 months ago

I am feeling so honored to have served on the panel for Black Love Talk: A Fly on the Wall Experience presented by National Pan-Hellenic Council of Washington, DC @dcnphc and @monumentalmendc last night!!

I witnessed so many nuggets being shared that can hopefully bridge the gap that is sometimes present between Black men and women. There was so much love in the room.

Shout out to fellow panelists Shawna Dixon @purplerosepetals, Jaida Pervis @matchmakerjaida, Tyrell Hughes @theofficialtyrellhughes, and Jeff Tyler @goodmendoexistofficial

An extra special shout out to Marvin Burton @ldt03 for sharing his wisdom on the panel and for having the vision to bring this beautiful event to the community! You inspire me brother! by @ayesis

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7 months ago

Nope. No signs of global warming here. In fact….Nothing to see here at all. 😳😳 taken in Maryland/Washington DC by @ayesis

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7 months ago

Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter…my Mouse. I fell in love the moment I saw your face and I am so grateful that God saw fit to make me your Mom. Love you to the moon and back again!!! by @ayesis

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8 months ago

Then ➡️ Now.
From one show to six years of impact.
Thank you for growing with me. 💜 #EmotionalWellness #ArtsInEducation #TeacherWellness by @ayesis

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a year ago

Some days, joy feels distant and all you can do is just be.

Hold space for yourself in those moments.
Not to fix.
Not to force a smile.
But to breathe.
To rest.
To remember that being human is enough.

You don’t need to be “on” all the time.
Even stars need the dark to shine. ✨

#HoldSpace #MentalHealthMatters #ActressLife #EducationalConsultant #CreativeJourney #SelfCompassion #JoyInTheJourney #RestIsProductive #FeelYourFeelings by @ayesis

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a year ago

✨ "Theatre builds emotional resilience by transforming lived experiences into healing, connection, and courageous conversation. This is what it looks like when stories spark change." 💪 From @ayesis @sculptedclay ❤️

Join us in celebrating National Arts In Education Week with visionary Teaching Artists like Ayesis from Sculpted Clay Productions. 🎭✨ Based in Maryland, Ayesis is paving the way for a brighter future through the arts!

🌈 Fun Fact: In Maryland, arts education is part of the public school curriculum. Most students are enrolled in at least one arts class, thanks to generous grants and support from local organizations, including the @mdartscouncil !!! Let’s keep growing awareness and support for arts in education! 🙌🎨

#unicornteacher #MAGICMethod #TheatreHeals

#NationalArtsInEducationWeek, #ArtsEdWeek, #BecauseOfArtsEd, #ArtsEducation, #ArtsInAction, #EncourageCreativity, #TeachTheArts, #SupportLocalArts" #TeachingArtist, #TeachingArtistsRock, #TeachingArtistLife, #MidAtlanticTeachingArtist, #MDArts, #thisisMDarts, #MDlovesthearts, #MarylandTAs by @ayesis

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a year ago

Night out with the Theatre Crew for Signature Theatre’s Play On! Always a good time hanging with them!!! by @ayesis

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a year ago