Tsehaye Geralyn Hebert

TSEHAYE HÉBERT lends her unique voice to performance, writing and teaching.  As a faculty member with the Urban Studies Program (Associated College of the Midwest); poet-in-residence for School District 65 (Evanston IL), or artist-in-residence for Valparaiso University’s annual Dr. M. L. King JR Convocation (Valparaiso IN), where she was commissioned to stage “Counting the Costs”, Hébert has brought communities together through artmaking. She has taught creative writing for Catholic Charities; Genesis House; Cook County Jail; Young Chicago Authors and as lead instructor with Gallery 37, After School Matters’ after-school and summer long programs.

 Hébert’s writings have appeared in print and are included in Blakk Love: Storeez of a Darker Hue, Heart of the Matter. Yvonne, Rhonda & Tracey Spend the Evening Together Again received a workshop production at Chicago State University in spring 2010. She is the recipient of a Native Voices, New Visions Award from Louisiana State University; and a New Works New Visions Midwest Playwright’s Theatre Award for her play, Bedtime Story, which was produced during ETA’s 2007 season.  She has received Department of Cultural Affairs, Illinois Arts Council and an NEA Regional Award.  She is one of 80 poets selected internationally to honor Gwendolyn Brooks’ 80th birthday celebration.

Hébert recently directed the Family Literacy Arts Program through the Center of Urban Education and Innovation at Florida International University.  As the Evanston Arts Council’s Program Coordinator, she produced the Evanston Ethnic Arts Festival for five years, bringing it from a half day to a full weekend event that remains a regional draw. 

A graduate of Northwestern University, School of Communication (Evanston, IL), Hébert is a current MFAW candidate at the School of the Art Institute (Chicago, IL).  A past president of the African American Arts Alliance, she is a member of the Dramatist Guild and the Advisory Board of Piven Theatre Workshop.

(Source: author.)