ABOUT THE PRODUCER / FOUNDER

AYINDE HURREY hails from Goldsboro, North Carolina.  At an early age, he began his career on the stage as a drummer/musician with The Cultural Movement, Inc., a company founded by his father, Raymond “Nilaja” Hurrey, the original percussionist for The Last Poets.  His musical career eventually guided him to assume the responsibilities as Musical Director for TCM, Inc., as well as Founder/Artistic Director of Ayoluwa African Dance Company in Durham, NC.  Ayinde’s background in African dance and percussion has provided him with the opportunity to perform as a guest artist with various dance companies all over the country and abroad.

In the years to come, Ayinde decided to develop his talents as an actor, writer, and director.  He studied at North Carolina Central University in Durham, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and pursued his graduate training at the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he received his Masters of Fine Arts in Acting.  Ayinde landed his first role in a stage play in September 1991, as Reuben Mercer in August Wilson’s, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.  He has played numerous roles in university as well as regional theatres. As a director, he has produced numerous West African dance concerts, West African percussion compositions as well as stage plays.  His first directorial piece was For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide…When the Rainbow is Enuf, by Ntozake Shange.  Ayinde’s most recent works have been Nappy Journeys, a solo piece written, directed, and performed by Hurrey and the role of T-Bone in T-Bone & Weasel.      

Now residing in Pensacola, Florida, Ayinde continues to spread his theatrical energy to audiences both near and far through the efforts of Hurrey-UP Stage & FilmWorks.  As producer and founder, Ayinde develops theatrical works in both stage and film with particular focus on cultural awareness and diversity.  Hurrey-UP produces highly entertaining works while at the same time, acknowledging the crucial educational value of the performing arts.

The Company     Edutainment     Productions/Auditions    African Dance & Percussion     Nappy Journeys      Contact     Home