Arts & Humanities
APB's arts and humanities speakers combine grace and zest in their unique keynote speeches, covering genres such as dance, music, and theater.
These distinguished speakers add their own creative and innovative flair to each presentation and invite you to explore a diverse array of cultural, artistic, and educational perspectives. Whether you are looking for a famous face or an acclaimed talent who will put a unique spin on the traditional lecture, APB has a speaker on the arts and humanities who will make your event a success.
Arts & Humanities
Concert Pianist & Psychiatrist
Richard Kogan has a distinguished career both as a concert pianist and as a psychiatrist. He has been praised for his "eloquent, compelling and exquisite playing" by The New York Times and has gained... |
Grammy Award-Winning Composer
The Grammy-winning composer of "Just an Old Fashioned Love Song," speaker Paul Williams is a drug rehabilitation counselor who educates audiences of the risks of drug use. |
Tony Award-Winning Tap Dancer & Choreographer
Savion Glover stormed the dance world in the late 1980's with his hard-hitting tap and improvisational choreography using elements from jazz, hip-hop, be-bop, and world music. He is one of the youngest men to be... |
Legendary Folk Singer & Activist
Following her son's suicide, iconic singer Judy Collins survived her grief through her passion for words and music. Today, she shares her moving experience with all audiences. |
Musician & Founder, Asian Man Records
Mike Park's journey into the music world began in the fall of 1985, when his first band, Psychiatric Disorder, set out to play blistering punk rock influenced by the likes of Black Flag, 7 Seconds, Minor Threat, and... |
Touring Drum Act
Recycled Percussion has emerged from underground live show sensation to one of the most powerful touring shows in the US. The band has single-handedly brought the terms "Power-Percussion" and "Junk Rock" into... |
Singer, Songwriter & "Real Housewife"
Singer, songwriter and reality star Kandi Burruss penned TLC's "No Scrubs" and Destiny's Child's "Bug a Boo" hits. Also a "real housewife" of Atlanta, her latest album is titled Kandi Koated. |
Film & Music Producer
The executive producer of the Oscar-nominated Precious, speaker Lisa Cortes has worked with Russell Simmons at Def Jam Records and is former CEO of Rush Artist Management. |
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Playwright
The Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright for "Glengarry Glenn Ross" and an award-winning film and television director, Mamet has also made a name for himself as author of The Wicked Son: Anti-Semitism, Self-hatred,... |
Emmy Award-Winning Actress
Emmy-winning Alfre Woodard has acted in Desperate Housewives and The Practice. She co-founded Artists for New South Africa, a nonprofit promoting AIDS awareness. |
Award-Winning Actor, Lost
An award-winning actor known for his role as "Benjamin Linus" in the hit series Lost, Michael Emerson is a 2009 Emmy Award winner for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series and a 2010 Golden Globe nominee for... |
Tony Award-Winning Actor
Brian Dennehy has won two Tony Awards for Best Actor in a Play, in 2003 for Eugene O’Neill’s “Long Day’s Journey Into Night” and in 1999 for the 50th anniversary production of Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman.”... |
Award-Winning Entertainer
Speaker Ben Vereen's credits include Broadway's "Wicked," Roots, and Law and Order. He addresses such topics as black history and overcoming adversity. |
Businessman, America’s Leading Gospel Singer & Motivator
A top artist in contemporary Gospel music, and the first Gospel artist to ever go platinum, Franklin has transformed and transcended the genre. Throughout his success, he never lost sight of his faith, remaining a... |
Rapper & Actor, Law & Order: SVU
Hip-hop pioneer currently starring on Law and Order: SVU, Ice-T has risen up from the harsh realities of growing up disadvantaged to become a successful entertainer and entrepreneur. Serving as a sobering,... |
"Maria" on Sesame Street & Author
Those who grew up learning their ABC's with Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, Kermit and the Cookie Monster will immediately recognize Manzano as the bilingual "Maria" on Sesame Street. Manzano attributes her appeal... |
Best-Selling Author & Screenwriter
Best-selling novelist Elizabeth Atkins delves into the sensitive dynamics of family, friendship, love and race in her novels, White Chocolate, Dark Secret, and her newest, Other People's Skin. A... |
Award-Winning Music Historian
Curator of American music at the Smithsonian and founder of Jazz Appreciation Month in the United States, Hasse is an expert on 20th century American music. A gifted pianist, brilliant author, and editor of several... |
Actress & Civil Liberties Activist
One of the great actresses of all time, speaker Kathleen Turner is a civil liberties activist who strives to create a future in which society respects women's health choices. |
Actor, Writer, Producer & Activist
A successful actress and well-known civil rights activist, Dee's acting career has crossed all major forms of media over a span of eight decades. |
