TAJLEED HARDY
Artistic Mission Statement
My artistic mission is to serve as a cultural ambassador for the African American community by producing, performing, managing, and teaching works that affirm, celebrate, and uplift the Black and African Diaspora. Through my artistry, I strive to create spaces that encourage critical reflection on how these works impact, reflect, and resonate with the lived experiences of historically marginalized communities—particularly African Americans.
ACTING EXPERIENCE
PRODUCTION PHOTO GALLERY
The Homecoming
By The University of Sierra Leone and The University of Louisville
Sierra Leone Creative and Theatre Group and University of Louisville
Professor Day/Amdu/ Ensemble
The Tempest
By
William Shakespeare
Kentucky Shakespeare
Ferdinand
The Comedy of Errors
By
William Shakespeare
Kentucky Shakespeare
Antipholus of Ephesus
Romeo and Juliet
By
William Shakespeare
Kentucky Shakespeare
Benvolio
The Island
By
Athol Fugard
HopePunk Theatre Collective
Gem of the Ocean
By
August Wilson
University of Louisville
Winston
Citizen Barlow
A Soldier's Play
By
Charles Fuller
Norfolk State Theatre Company
The Wiz
By
William F. Brown
The Virginia Stage Company
Smalls
The Lord High Underling
CV SUMMARY
Full CV Available Upon Request
ABRIGED HIGHLIGHTS
UNIVERSITY EDUCATION & TRAINING
MASTER OF FINE ARTS
in THEATRE ARTS
University of Louisville
​
Emphasis in Acting
Fully Funded Graduate Fellow
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE
in AFRICAN AMERICAN THEATRE
University of Louisville
​
Emphasis in Theatre and Performance from Africa and the African Diaspora
Fully Funded Graduate Fellow
BACHELOR OF ARTS
in DRAMA & THEATRE
Norfolk State University
Emphasis in Performance
​
CREATIVE WORK
Professional Acting Experience:
-
2025, Professor Day/Amdu/Ensemble – The Homecoming, dir. LaShondra Hood, University of Sierra Leone Creative and Theatre Group, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
-
2024, Josh - The Local Piglet and the Whooping Crane, dir. Vidalia Unwin, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Louisville, KY.
-
2024, Love – Thoughts of a Colored Man, dir. Anthony Stockard, NSU Theatre Company, Winston-Salem NC (International Black Theatre Festival).
-
2024, The Color Lust – The Color of Sin, dir. Tajleed Hardy, Kentucky Shakespeare, Louisville, KY.
-
2024, Ferdinand – The Tempest, dir. Matt Wallace, Kentucky Shakespeare, Louisville, KY.
-
2024, Antipholus of Ephesus – The Comedy of Errors, dir. Amy Attaway, Kentucky Shakespeare, Louisville, KY.
-
2024, Benvolio – Romeo and Juliet, dir. Matt Wallace, Kentucky Shakespeare, Louisville, KY.
-
2023, Winston – The Island, dir. Crystian Wiltshire, HopePunk Theatre Collective, Louisville, KY.
-
2023, The Child – Unchained, dir. Tajleed Hardy, Kentucky Shakespeare, Louisville KY.
-
2023, Dumaine – Love’s Labour’s Lost, dir. Matt Wallace, Kentucky Shakespeare, Louisville, KY.
-
2023, Young Siward – Macbeth, dir. Amy Attaway, Kentucky Shakespeare, Louisville, KY.
-
2023, Mustardseed/Fairy – A Midsummer Night’s Dream, dir. Matt Wallace, Kentucky Shakespeare, Louisville, KY.
-
2022, Alfred Croghan – Unfolding the Story: The Enslaved Community at Locust Grove, dir. Brandi Lashay, Locust Grove, Louisville, KY.
-
2021, Antipholus of Ephesus – The Comedy of Errors, dir. Steve Pacek, Virginia Stage Company, Norfolk, VA.
-
2020, Smalls – A Soldier’s Play, dir. Anthony Stockard, NSU Theatre Company/Virginia Arts Festival, Norfolk, VA.
-
2018, Caliban – The Tempest, dir. Patrick Mullins, Virginia Stage Company, Norfolk, VA.
-
2017, Lord High Underling – The Wiz, dir. Patrick Mullins/Anthony Stockard, Virginia Stage Company, Norfolk VA*.
Academic Acting Experience:
-
2024, Citizen Barlow- Gem of the Ocean, dir. Shona Tucker, UofL Theatre Arts, Louisville KY.
-
2023, Dayton – Fairview, dir. Catron Booker, UofL Theatre Arts, Louisville KY.
-
2022, Justin – Blood at the Root, dir. Nefertiti Burton, UofL Theatre Arts, Louisville KY.
-
2022, John – Afromemory, dir. Nefertiti Burton, UofL Theatre Arts, Louisville KY.
-
2021, Parker – Split Second, dir. Sidney Edwards, UofL Theatre Arts, Louisville, KY.
-
2020, Brother Boxer – The Amen Corner, dir. Anthony Stockard, NSU Theatre Company, Norfolk, VA.
-
2019, Eli – Gem of the Ocean, dir. Anthony Stockard, NSU Theatre Company, Norfolk, VA.
-
2018, Ensemble – The Color Purple, dir. Anthony Stockard, NSU Theatre Company, Norfolk, VA.
-
2018, Gabriel – Fences, dir. Anthony Stockard, NSU Theatre Company, Norfolk, VA.
-
2017, Aid Worker – Ruined, dir. Anthony Stockard, NSU Theatre Company, Norfolk, VA.
-
2016, The Messenger – Black Nativity, dir. Anthony Stockard, NSU Theatre Company, Norfolk, VA.
