Aya Travick-Best: Bay Area-Based Content Creative & Dancer
BIO
In 2022 Aya returned to her hometown in the Bay Area working as a content creator for an international marketing agency before booking a Swing role in the 2023 A.C.T production of The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical. Aya’s first steps were taken in a Horton Dance class, cementing her reverence of the dance floor. A multi-hyphenate, Aya’s introduction to digital art and design technology dates back to elementary school, coinciding with the invention of the iMAC. From the ages of 6-11 she was enrolled in expansive computer classes, learning to create websites, organize files, and edit audio & video expanding a natural aptitude for “media.
Aya attended Oakland School for the Arts pre-professionally training in Ballet, Jazz, and Contemporary Dance while studying music, costuming and ""spacing"". Graduating from UCLA’s Theater Film and Television Program in 2022, she would later go on to crew on Network shows such as Project Runway and Flatbush Misdemeanors.
Aya has created original social media content for Saks Fifth Avenue, Amazon, and Audi and has danced on stages worldwide including the Video Music Awards. In 2021 Aya received her first arts grant from New York Foundation of the Arts to begin her video series Negritude. A student of traditional West African dance and diasporic musical structures, Aya has extensive knowledge of over 30+ diasporic cultural dance styles and rhythms, specializing in those coming from Senegal, West Africa."
Why are you participating in the Lit From The Black! 2024 fellowship
I am eager to join the Lit From the Black Fellowship to gain more hands-on experience with lighting and design equipment, addressing a critical gap in my current skill set.
As an independent filmmaker, creative producer, and stage performer, I am continually seeking opportunities to deepen my knowledge in stage and screen production. However, a lack of comfort with lighting equipment hinders the creation of the film and stage work I aspire to produce. The fellowship presents a unique opportunity to work with equipment, testing various technical approaches to creative design in an environment that encourages experimentation—unlike on-the-job learning, which often lacks room for mistakes or repetition.
Being part of a cohort of Black women and non-binary individuals is particularly appealing, offering a creative space distinct from my experiences in non-diverse environments and PWI academic institutions. Connecting with local Bay Area artists during the fellowship is essential for expanding my network and fostering meaningful collaborations. Ultimately, my goal is to create more portfolio work that not only highlights the richness of the Black diaspora but also contributes significantly to the Black Diasporic arts scene.