Tanya Wright

Tanya Wright, Ed. M is a two-time SAG Award winner (Best Ensemble) for her portrayal of Crystal Burset in Orange is the New Black. Tanya received her master’s in Learning Design, Innovation and Technology from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. While there, she won the Harvard Innovative Venture in Education (HIVE) Award (most promising early stage venture), the Education Entrepreneurship Fellowship and was a finalist in the Saul Zaentz Early Education Innovation Initiative for Hairiette. She is the children’s author of Goodnight, Hairiette (a 24 minute filed puppet musical that comes with a picture book) which is the prequel to the Hairiette of Harlem Chapter Book Series (Sourcebooks, Sept. 2024).

Tanya has appeared in countless TV series including True Blood, Madame Secretary, “24” and The Good Wife and has been in billions of households worldwide. She is also a highly sought after speaker and has spoken at several elementary schools, colleges, corporations, and organizations.

School Visit Presentations (30-45min in length)

We Are Made of Star Stuff (after film screening of musical with puppets of Goodnight, Hairiette)
In this presentation, Tanya talks about her idea for Hairiette, how she has created over 30+ stories for the character, why we need good role models like Hairiette in our lives, and how she inspires you to be your best self in everything you do — from reading to learning to being leaders in your lives.

Write your own storybook—like Hairiette!

How to write a beginning, middle and ending to a story.

Presentations for Adults (60min in length)

Tanya’s Journey: The Intersection of Education & Entertainment

Tanya talks about her journey as a distracted- early- learner- turned- actor that led her to use her actor platform to pursue her passion to write for children and to make sure all children have the resources to read and thrive.

Creating Goodnight, Hairiette

Tanya talks about her process in creating the video to inspire K-3 learners to read. How she wrote the script, songs, and voiced the songs of Hairiette/Nana Grace!

Testimonials

“A sense of fun married to a social mission, the focus on literacy at a young age,
the attention to resources for families.”

“Such a thoughtfully designed experience for students.”

“Having Hairiette as the central character is such a great idea for so many reasons,
not to mention representation. I love her magic hair!”

“Tanya was amazing! The students had a great conversation with her that was
inspiring. It was great for them to be reminded that theater is a business, too. In
addition, she encouraged them to look at failure differently. Her perspective on
failure is refreshing and offers hope.”

Website

Availability and Honorariums

For rates and availability, contact Carmen Oliver.

Gallery

Videos