"Tuaca Kelly — Tilda Swinton-y even while performing as 'the entire cast of Star Trek' — seemed comfortable portraying everything from Queen Elizabeth to an 8-year-old nerd." — BackStage West
ABOUT
Tuaca Kelly is an American poet, spoken word artist, emcee, and singer-songwriter most known for her unique wordplay, uncanny improvisation, unpredictable humor and ability to connect with the audience.
Originally from San Francisco, she represents the Generation X as a fierce femmeDaddy. Inspired by the iconic leather daddies she encountered in her youth, as well as the enchanting world of Wonder Woman comics, Tuaca explores themes of love, intimacy, religious mysticism, personal development, unbridled sensuality, and the transformative power of sacred sex. With a dictionary in hand, she fearlessly dives into these realms.
Unwanted Words 2nd Queer and Feminist Poetry Awards Nominee for Poet of the Year (2023), Tuaca lives and breathes the importance of poetry with the understanding it is not a luxury, but an essential experience for mental health and a vital pathway for the human spirit to express the soul's wisdom, touch ephemeral empathy and connect with others.
From collaborating with fellow musical artists to joining forces as a co-founding member of The Los Hombres comedic improv troupe, and performed and taught in North America and Europe, Tuaca has left her 43,5-size footprints and audiences with reciprocated love on numerous stages and studios including: Gay Pride San Francisco, McCallum Theatre, Cayman Country Radio, The Improv on Melrose, Highways Performance Space at the 18th Street Art Complex, Kunstinstituut Melly, MACA (Moving Arts Center Amsterdam), Meervaart Theater, KALEIDO x Queer Amsterdam, Milkshake Festival, Poetry International Festival, LantarenVenster, Van Gogh Museum and more.
Based in Amsterdam, Tuaca is very active in poetry and spoken word culture and serves as a local and transnational creative producer for Stichting Unwanted Words Project.
Tuaca can lay down as written, bespoke or improvised spontaneous vitality into your audio book, documentary narration, public service announcement or animation as a voice over and character talent or bring love to your music project with top line, ad lib or feature.
When otherwise engaged with the creative arts, Tuaca can also be found teaching and caring for others in her clinical healing practice.
Tuaca Kelly (zij/haar/femmeDaddy) is een Amerikaanse dichteres, spoken word artiest, emcee, singer-songwriter en muzikante. Ze is vooral bekend om haar unieke woordspelingen, ongekende improvisatie, onvoorspelbare humor en vermogen om een band op te bouwen met het publiek. Ze komt oorspronkelijk uit San Francisco en vertegenwoordigt Generation X als een fierce femmeDaddy. Tuaca is gevestigd in Amsterdam, is zeer actief in de poëzie en spoken wordcultuur en dient als een lokale en internationale projectmedewerker, talent curator, creatief producent en muze bij de Unwanted Words Project Foundation
APHORISMS
"Art isn't a luxury. It is an essential experience for mental health and a vital pathway for the human spirit to express the soul's wisdom, touch ephemeral empathy and connect with others." - Tuaca Kelly
"Inspiration is curated through intimate internal dialog. Resolutions evolve from amity with self." - Tuaca Kelly
Tuaca Kelly, Amsterdam 2023 photo: Anastasiia Mykytiuk
GRATEFULNESS TO
Stichting Unwanted Words Project
Word Up Amsterdam
Pleasure Society Pleasure Poetry Slam
Framer Framed Queer Open Stage
Poet Trapper Keeper
The Writer's Guide to the Galaxy
Labyrinth Amsterdam - Mixology, Food to Share & Poetry
Pakhuis de Zwijger - contemporary 'talking house'
Café 't Mandje - Bet van Beeren, since 1927
For keeping integrity and shelter for poetry, prose and spoken word art forms to flourish.
NEWS
a. I woke up breathing
b. I'm writing
c. I look forward to seeing you (Agenda)
TRIVIA
a. I was Uma Thurman's stand-in on film Final Analysis - staring Richard Gere, Uma Thurman and Kim Basinger.
b. After 4-years of N.J.R.O.T.C, I enlisted in the US Navy as an E-3. My recruiter pulled the plugs I never shipped out.
c. In junior high school, after seeing the celebrated band live at Day on the Green in Oakland, CA with my mom, I was sent to detention for wearing a Journey concert t-shirt instead of the required San Francisco physical education uniform.
ENDORSEMENTS FOR BESPOKE WORK
" I had the pleasure of co-producing events with Tuaca Kelly and witnessing her spoken word poetry in action, and I can wholeheartedly say that her presence is transformative. As a collaborator, Tuaca is a force of creativity and professionalism. She brings a clear vision, dedication, and adaptability to every project, ensuring that each event is impactful and meaningful.
As a spoken word artist, Tuaca has a rare gift for capturing deep emotions and delivering them with a raw authenticity that resonates powerfully with audiences. Her performances are not only beautifully crafted but are also deeply soulful, often leaving a lasting impression on those who experience them. Tuaca's ability to blend vulnerability with strength in her words creates a space for both personal reflection and collective connection.
I highly recommend Tuaca for any project that seeks to uplift, inspire, and engage. She has an incredible ability to bring people together through her artistry and her thoughtful, compassionate approach to collaboration."
- Evelina Kvartunaite, Founder of Circle K and Word Up Amsterdam
" I recently experienced Tuaca's brilliance at a co-creation event. As a design thinking facilitator, I know the importance of opening events the right way. Tuaca spoke about 'genius listening,' and prepared participants to be fully present. Her own presence is a sweet combination of power and ebullience. I encourage everyone to consider Tuaca's art as a major contribution to any gathering - but especially in the corporate realm, where we can all use more self-reflection. It was the highlight of my day."
- Julie Krohner, Founder of Lighting Up Rooms, Social Scientist, TEDx Speaker
" Tuaca makes deep, strong and embodied poetry that I can highly recommend for every occasion! She is a highlight of our professional events, creating a spot on tailor made piece every time!"
- Aafke de Groot, Hatch - Immersive Learning Experiences
" My husband and I asked Tuaca Kelly to write and perform an original bespoke poem on for our wedding. The poem, God Gave Me You, was such a beautiful surprise! The Love expressed in the personal poem touched our hearts and many others who have the honor to read this beautiful treasure.
With her enormous passion it is clear that Tuaca writes and performs with heart and soul and shines bright light on her audience. She is very talented and we definitely recommend Tuaca Kelly to perform during your event." - M & F, newlyweds.
POETRY MOMENTS
©2011 Tuaca Kelly, printed and bound in Canada. ISBN: 978-0-615-43890
Woman of My Dreams
by Tuaca Kelly
Deep through the night answering the call
my Soul came to your alter
Woman of my dreams
Found purpose at your bedside among women of reason
Swaying to our music
Woman of my dreams
Kissing every mouth to taste only your lips
Your Soul held me to the alter
Woman of my dreams
Your Soul held me to the alter
Deep through the night
I’ll hold you to your promise
Woman of my dreams
we shall obey - Scholastica's plea
beloved brother
ausculta
muffled by the Rule
and the weave
of your tunic
my plea failed
to brush immaculacy
my prayers,
received and answered
through the vault,
insisted
il mio gemello
blame me
my beloved reflection
for obliging you to bide
so dutybound faithful
in Covenant and simple habits
we are subject to forget
what we deny
one night
dear brother
we shall be rebels
and speak of things
we won’t write down
and think of things
we won’t say aloud
and render a final hymn
until the earth absorbs
the tears of men
one night
dear brother
our last night
dear brother
let us share innocence
and warmth
lest wisdom make fools of us
let your labor be mine
dear brother
it is winter
I’ll take my rest there
one night
dear brother
we shall be rebels
and speak of things
we won’t write down
and think of things
we won’t say aloud
and render a final hymn
until the earth absorbs
the tears of men
one night
dear brother
we shall be rebels
we shall obey
©2024 Tuaca Kelly
