SHAYLA ALAYRE CALDWELL (Guest Artist) is a third-generation native of New Haven, CT. She began dancing at a very young age with her mother and dance teacher, Shari Caldwell. She became heavily influenced by traditional West African dance after being introduced to Guinean culture by her parents and dance mentor, Aly “Tatchol” Camara. She was further introduced to various styles of dance and a plethora of choreographers and performing artists while attending the Educational Center for the Arts and Earl Mosley Institute of the Arts in CT. She was accepted into the BFA program at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA, in 2007. After studying briefly at the institution she landed a dream position as a performing artist in Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE, A Dance Company. She was promoted to rehearsal director and proudly served in the company for twelve years. A few highlights of her dance career include representing the USA at the International Festival of Ballet held in Cali, Colombia, performing at the infamous Joyce Theater, Delacorte Theater in Central Park, and The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., and being featured in The New York Times courtesy of Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE, A Dance Company. She has taught and assisted dance classes with community outreach and fitness awareness at various theaters, performing arts schools, and universities. She was elated to become an adjunct dance professor at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts with a focus in hip hop, modern contemporary, and West African-inspired styles from 2021 to 2023. She is overjoyed to currently be a part of the ensemble in the revival of The Wiz on Broadway!