User:Jen dva/sandbox

SHERAN GOODSPEED KEYTON

Sheran Goodspeed Keyton has been acting and singing professionally for more than 20 years. She has performed in many venues all over the DFW metroplex, and has toured nationally and internationally. In 2008, Sheran formed her own nonprofit theater company, DVA Productions. Sheran has also worked off stage doing voice over/radio commercial work, television shows, and film. In the recent past, Sheran was awarded a best actress award by the DFW Theatre Critic's Forum for her portrayal of Bessie Smith: Empress of the Blues at Jubilee Theatre. She was also awarded a Best Actress Award by the Fort Worth Black Chamber of Commerce Film Festival. In July 2011, after more than 100,000 auditions were held, Sheran was also one of only 160 acts to make it to the Hollywood Boot Camp of The XFactor.

Prior to the official formation of DVA Productions, Artistic Director Sheran Goodspeed Keyton, partnered with many arts organizations in the area to produce original works. For 2 years she co-produced, with Casa Manana, their Neighborhood Arts Program and received rave reviews and return invitations from schools all over Tarrant County. She also wrote and co-produced three full-length shows with Fort Worth’s Jubilee Theatre. Prior to being named DVA, Sheran as an individual wrote, choreographed, and was music director on several plays co-produced by the YMCA afterschool program, Century 21, and Boys and Girls Club. She has also personally formed a partnership as an artist with Big Thought and has performed in the Dallas ISD for the past 7 years.

The company also has a thriving community outreach program which includes weekly youth workshops which cover basic performing skills. Samaritan House Inspirational Choir is another community outreach partnership which DVA has created. The choir consists of Samaritan House Residents, staff and DVA performers. It performs at community events raising awareness of prevention and treatment of AIDS and HIV.

The Artistic Staff and Board of Directors of DVA Productions Inc have continued to be an intricate part of the entertainment industry in Tarrant County and abroad. Sheran’s passion is not only to entertain, but also to educate the youth in the community. She has dedicated years of her life to that passion, and plans to continue doing so.