Caress is a multi-talented professional with a passion for empowering and inspiring audiences through the art of communication. For over 12 years, she has toured the country, providing educational and entertaining presentations that motivate and empower people of all ages. "My goal is to amplify personal connection and empathy through engaging yet meaningful creative content."
PAUL/CARESS ON NETFLIX
THE CIRCLE SEASON 6
LIVE PERFORMANCES
COMMISIONED WORK
“Follow Your Lead”: Arizona State University Sports Commercial
Role: Writer
Description: Commissioned by Arizona State University Athletic Department in Partnership awith Tony Award Winner Lemon Andersen to develop poetic dialogue for use in a commercial for an ASU promising athlete. The challenge was to write for him, in his own words.
Preparation: I met with Lemon Andersen to discuss my poetic approach, I watched video of interviews with the athlete and began to document his disposition, hopes, concerns and life story. I used these notes to write in his voice and from his perspective.
Timeline/Creative Process: I spent two days writing followed by sending a textual version to Lemon Andersen for approval. Following approval, Lemon continued working with the athlete on performative delivery for the commercial.
“Bred For This” - Black History Poem: Arizona PBS
Role: Writer and Screen Actor
Description: Arizona PBS commissioned this piece. They wanted a compelling piece for Black History Month in the middle of the pandemic in 2020. In a period of social unrest, they wanted a poem that offered both compassion and empowerment at such a difficult time.
Preparation: I conducted 24 Hour study of cultural news, videos and historical references.
Timeline/Creative Process: I wrote the piece within two days and then sent audio to their production team for planning and approval. I spent 5 hours working on memorization and performance and was scheduled for 3-4 Hours of filming.
“American Gothic” w/ DBR: National Gallery-2021
Role: Writer and Voice Actor
Description: Commissioned by the National Gallery of Art. Alongside American Haitian Composer Daniel Bernard Roumain, we were challenged to breathe new life into the iconic American Gothic Photograph by responding to it via music and poetry. Daniel Bernard Roumain Provided the musical composition and podcast interview while I responded by writing and recording a custom poetic interpretation.
Preparation: I listened to Daniel Bernard Roumain’s musical interpretation while carefully analyzing the photograph in order to interpret both the obvious and covert aspects of the image.
Timeline/Creative Process: I spent 2 days writing, recorded an audio draft which I sent in for approval. Upon approval, I recorded a clean audio version of the poem acapella. Daniel Bernard Roumain then layered my acapella version over his musical composition.
"We Be": Epik Dance Company
Role: Writer, Voice Actor and Screen Actor
Description: Commissioned By Epik Dance Company. Epik Dance Company specializes in expression and positivity through dance. In 2020 they wanted to respond to the call for culturally empowering messages by coupling their dance with verbal expression of their inner thoughts and frustrations.
Preparation: I conducted a 1 hr. interview with Epik Dance in order to 1) document their individual and collective feelings and emotions, 2) better understand their goals for the piece, and 3) gain a deeper knowledge of dance and the dynamics within its landscape.
Timeline/Creative Process: I spent two days writing and doing further research on popular dance figures and terminologies. I sent an audio version and a textual version to Epik for approval. We met at a recording studio for a 2-hour session to record the audio and scheduled a 5-hour video shoot.
VIDEO PRODUCTION
“Ain’t We Women” Poetic Short Film By Lady Caress
Role: Writer, Producer, Director, Screen Actor
With a $5,000 Budget and 2 2-week timeline, I wrote, produced, directed and starred in a 15-minute poetic short film with a full cast and crew, watch the behind-the-scenes clips below or view the entire film using the link.
“She Votes” w/ Culture Surge Center for Cultural Power
Role: Writer, Producer, Director, Screen Actor
With a generous $1,500 grant from Culture Surge and 2 week timeline, I wrote, produced and directed this community voting call to action video. This video was featured as part of a national voting campaign.
TELEPROMPTER WORK
“Defining Your Values” Online Education Course ASU
Role: Voice Actor, Teleprompter
As part of an online "Values" Course designed by Arizona State University School of Sustainability, I served as the teleprompter actor for the entire course. The project lasted 4 months with regularly scheduled video shoots where I would review the script the day before and record for 2-3 hours each session.
"BREAK IT DOWN" SEGMENT SHOW HOST
ARIZONA PBS
Lady Caress hosts "Break It Down" segment on Arizona PBS. From politics to pop culture, from long-standing problems to news that’s grabbing headlines right now, “Break It Down” is the place to have coffee-shop conversations on topics that matter.
VERSES AND FLOW
TVONE
PHOTOS
.jpg)
GET IN TOUCH
