Since 1998, director and actor, Ayinde Hurrey, has taken his vision of multiculturalism with him, traveling all over the east coast as an actor and teacher in the performing arts.  After discovering the vast educational opportunities for culturally diverse stage works such as his own, Hurrey decided to form a production company that would reflect his style as an actor, director, writer, and educator. Hurrey-UP Stage & FilmWorks is Hurrey’s vision made reality. With particular focus on multi-cultural themes and performance styles, the company produces stage plays, performance workshops, films, and dance programs. The company’s mission is to be an icon of cultural diversity in the performing arts by performing original works as well as published works by authors of varying ethnic backgrounds.  Hurrey-UP believes that through its works, the company can improve the quality of life, on a personal level, for its casts, staff and audiences, through the theoretical teachings and philosophies of the performing arts.  Hurrey-UP Stage & FilmWorks is also the producing company for Bafoulabe African Dance Company;  a dance ensemble that presents traditional West African dance, music, and song. 

Ayinde Hurrey, Founder/Director

was born in Manhattan, New York and raised in Goldsboro, North Carolina.  At an early age, he began his career on the stage as a drummer/musician with , a company founded by his father, Raymond “Nilaja” Hurrey, the original percussionist for .    Ayinde’s background in African dance and percussion has provided him with the opportunity to perform as a guest artist with various dance companies all over the country and abroad.

Ayinde decided to develop his talents as an actor, writer, and director.  He studied at North Carolina Central University in Durham, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and pursued his graduate training at the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he received his Masters of Fine Arts in Acting.  As an actor, he has played numerous roles throughout the east coast at universities as well as regional theatres.  As a director, he has produced numerous West African dance concerts, West African percussion compositions as well as stage plays.  Ayinde’s most recent works have been directing Hurrey-UP Stage & FilmWorks’ productions of The Soul Plays; a repertoire of various plays written by African-American playwrights, and performing his solo show, Nappy Journeys. 

As an educator, Ayinde has trained elementary to university level students, teaching the various aspects of the working theatre.  He has conducted workshops in acting performance to youth and young adults in various communities as well as workshops in movement.  Ayinde has worked as a teacher for the New York City Board of Education, Wayne County Public Schools in North Carolina, and Escambia County School District in Pensacola, Florida. 

Nappy Journeys

Hurrey-UP’s solo performance production, Nappy Journeys, written, directed, and performed by Ayinde Hurrey, focuses on the artistic expression and amazing phenomenon of African-American hair.  From sculptured hairdos to intricate waves, braids, plaits and cornrows, "black hair" has always been fertile ground for cultural commentary and even socio-political identity.  Hurrey was always amazed at how a simple hairstyle, namely his own, could dramatically affect how others responded to him as a person.  Soon, he came to realize that various hairstyles he chose to wear impacted his life as a child, student, lover, and yes, as an actor.  First performed in 1997 as partial requirement for his M.F.A. in Acting from the University of Florida, Nappy Journeys is a wild ride with four of Hurrey’s very animated characters.  With his audience participatory style of performance, Hurrey’s unique journey will entertain, educate, and inspire its audiences.

The Art of West African Culture: Drum and Dance Workshop for Schools

Students will learn about African cultures through traditional West African movements.  Various drum and percussion instruments will be taken into the classrooms for demonstrations as well.  Students will have an opportunity to see and hear different sounds and rhythms through hands-on learning.  The workshop blends theatrical movement, music, dance, and acting in order to create a unique, all-involved session for the student.  In an effort to develop a better appreciation of the beauty of West Africa’s rich culture, this workshop  blends West African movement, music, and dance, in order to create a session that frees the student’s mental and physical talents.