Olisa Enrico - Performing Artist

Born into a family of music, Olisa has been performing in family bands since the age of 4. Her specialty lies in music performance, showcasing her improvisational skills across various genres, and has an impressive knack for composing full songs on the spot. As a writer of expressive songs, Olisa blends Hip-Hop, Soul, and RnB with a funk-folk twist that keeps the energy alive. She delved into hip-hop and the art of eMCee at the age of 11.

Her journey in the arts led her to theatre in 2003, where she became an arts education specialist at Seattle Central Community College under the guidance of Dr. Tawnya Pettiford-Wates. Here, she learned the Acting methodology of Ritual Poetic Drama within the African Continuum, and joined www.TheConciliationProject.org (TCP) (501c3), whose mission is to foster open and honest dialogue about racism in America through powerful dramatic works. Olisa believes that artists and art play a crucial role in shaping culture and society, and she aspires to share her soul through performance.

Captivated by the transformative power of theatre, Olisa committed herself to the craft. She earned her BFA, magna cum laude, in performance from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2007, where she continued her studies with her mentors Dr. Tawnya Pettiford-Wates and Professor Janet Rodgers. In 2010, she attained her MFA in theater pedagogy, focusing on both Acting and Directing as well as Voice and Speech. Additionally, she is a certified instructor in RPDWAC, Archetypes for the Actor, and the Oxyrhythms.

With an immense appetite for the stage, Olisa finds fulfillment in teaching, directing, and performing. Some of her favorite roles include "Billie Holiday" from Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill by Lanie Robertson, "Rose" from Fences by August Wilson, "Lady in Blue" from For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf by Ntozake Shange, "Nell" from Ain't Misbehavin, and "Anita" from West Side Story.