Arts

Naa Akua

Photo of Black queer person with a brown hat, black jacket and burgundy turtle neck

Biography

Naa Akua, is a New York-born poet, actor, educator, and sound-word practitioner who is Ghanaian/Bajan and queer.

Akua uses the vibratory energy of sound and the intent of word as a vehicle towards healing. Akua, a former 2019 Citizen University Poet-in-Residence, teaches with Writers in the Schools (Seattle Arts & Lectures), Writer-in-Residence at Franklin High School, Hugo House, and Young Women Empowered (Y-WE) .

Naa Akua stars in Book-It Repertory’s 2021 adaption of N.K. Jemisin’s “The Effluent Engine,” directed and adapted by Jéhan Òsanyin. Akua was a cast member of Book-it Repertory Theater’s adaptation of T. Geronimo Johnson’s “Welcome to Braggsville” adapted and directed by Josh Aaseng and Daemond Arrindell, cast member for Theater Schmeater’s production of “Welcome to Arroyo’s,” as well as member of the original Boilesque Ballet Earth Pearl Production “Tailfeathers”.

Akua, wrote, directed, and produced the one-person show, “Akwaaba: Healing of A Queer Black Soul”, which debuted at Gay City’s Mosaic arts show and appeared at Earth Pearl Collective’s “Sovereign Queer Black Womyn Festival” and Hugo House Theater. Akua was a cast member of the groundbreaking play “Queer. Mama, Crossroads” written by Anastacia-Renée and directed by Anastacia-Renée and Aviona-Rodriguez Brown. Akua was also a cast member of Sound Theater’s Gregory Award winning production of “Citizen, An American Lyric” written by Claudia Rankine and produced by Jay ‘O Leary.

When Akua is not writing and performing, they are facilitating Sound Healing sessions which focus on breathing, being in the body, and multi-sensory meditation.

youth arts program

Gay City: Seattle’s LGBTQ Center’s Youth Arts Program is a guided mentorship program providing a stipend that culminates in a showcase of new performance art for LGBTQ BIPOC youth ages 13-18. The program is led by mentors Naa Akua and Moonyeka.

Illustration shows silhouette of person with paint strokes and ribbons around them

ABOUT GAY CITY ARTS

Art is the voice, spirit, and conscience of every community and is a vital tool for community reflection, dialogue, and pride. We collaborate with local LGBTQ artists to galvanize an audience for queer arts, foster the development of LGBTQ artists and works, and facilitate accessible artistic excellence. Gay City Arts is committed to presenting challenging, dynamic, and excellent queer art across a wide range of disciplines, including theater, music, dance, film, spoken word, comedy, and literary and visual arts. To learn more, subscribe to the Arts Newsletter.