Izaya Spencer

Detroit native, Izaya Spencer began his career in the arts as a creative writer and poetic orator in InsideOut/Citywide Poets program. In 2009, after being featured in several publications and performing his work across the state of Michigan. Izaya earned a spot on the Detroit SLAM team, and went on to participate in HBO’S Brave New Voices competition in Chicago. By 2015, Izaya evolved his passion in performance art in the production Collaborations (2015) that brought together many independent writers, directors, and producers. Here, he worked under the direction of Don Snipes and Dana Elam, which lead to him furthering his education under the tutelage of acting coaches like Brian Taylor, Rich Goteri, and Henri Franklin to name a few. In 2019, after being featured in a slew of independent film and stage productions, Izaya was cast in the psychological-thriller, Dangerous Creation. Following its national and international success, the film participated in the 2022 Calella Film Festival in Spain. The film amassed over 30 awards, where two of which Izaya earned for Best Actor. Izaya is currently featured by muralist and painter, Ijania Cortez at The University of Michigan. Where the art is said to remind all that anything is possible and nothing we want is closed to us. Izaya is elated to continue his new journey here at The Detroit Public Theatre starring in Blues for an Alabama Sky, and would like to dedicate his performance to anyone brave enough to dream.