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A daughter of the Caribbean diaspora, Nehassaiu deGannes is a multi-hyphenate actor, poet and maker, recently seen Off-B'way, regionally, internationally and in the Ice-T produced indie feature,  Equal Standard. Her pandemic poem "To Find, To Be' was shortlisted for the 2020 Montreal Prize, and her first book-length collection of poems, Music for Exile, debuts February 2021 from Tupelo Press. 

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Whether acting, writing or devising new work, whether engaging an audience of thousands or one –––Nehassaiu says, "Her WHY? Is to tell courageous stories and embolden others to courageously tell their own, so together we can create a more just and empathetic world." 

How does one pronounce "Nehassaiu?"
 né-hé-sigh-u is a little song  
With a whisper, promise yourself:  "I'll never lie to you."
​Now say...  Né-hé-sigh-u  (emphasis on the sigh)
+ deGannes ( di-ganz) rhymes with "hands."

ethics & aesthetics!