Photo: Evelina Kvartunaite, Amsterdam, 2025
"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
"Tuaca is a larger-than-life artist — big voice, big presence and big talent!” — Gary Catona
"A star... Unique, Tuaca Kelly" — Gavin MacCleod
ABOUTHailing from multiple generations of Irish poets and musicians, Tuaca Kelly is an American poet, spoken word artist and songwriter, most known for her unique wordplay, uncanny improvisation, unpredictable humor, presence and ability to connect with the audience.
Nominated Poet of the Year, Queer & Feminist Poetry Awards, 2023, and ranking semi-finalist at Tell 'em International Poetry Slam, 2025, Tuaca is a prominent and influential figure in Amsterdam's vibrant poetry scene, and recognized by her peers in the international spoken word community. Originally from San Francisco, she represents Generation X. Tuaca’s unique perspective provides intimate, empathic and bold glimpses of humanity by integrating themes of love, nature, Christian mysticism, spiritual discernment, personal development, unbridled sensuality, neuroscience, technology, forgiveness and service above self. Quick wit, freestyle rap skills, and a cooperative storytelling acumen positioned Tuaca, along with fellow cast member Rick Rosner, in a Los Angeles-based MENSA-laden short-form improv troupe. In addition to this format, Tuaca was honored to perform autobiographical improvisation with renowned performance artist, author, teacher, and Motion Theatre® Founder, Nina Wise. As a vocalist and songwriter, she has worked with a number of phenomenal musicians, including the Grammy Award Nominee Robben Ford, as featured on her tune Lost Time, co-written with American musician and poet, Bruce Gaims. Tuaca is a creative producer, performance coach and event host for Stichting Unwanted Words Project, an award-winning platform for spoken word and poetry, and curates programs at Pakhuis De Zwiger, Theater Bellevue, Labyrinth and others. With an in-depth background in integrative therapeutic bodywork, craniosacral, Gestalt therapy, Charisms and faith, Tuaca also serves as a spiritual counselor to young adults and their parents. As an innovative mentor, Tuaca conducts private tutorials and workshops to kindle inspiration and develop one’s own unique voice through the intersection of creative arts, healing arts and the power of words. Born to inspire, Tuaca resides in Amsterdam with her cats, an ukulele, a thesaurus, and an adventurous spirit. Read more about Tuaca here. |
 Tuaca Kelly performing in Amsterdam. photo: Anastasiia Mykytiuk, 2023
 Like jazz, it's in my cells. Winner: Rap-n'-Down, San Francisco, 1985 w/my cousins.
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#poetry #spokenword, #spokenwordartist, #emcee, #host, #masterofceremony, #mc, #director, #creativeproducer, #amsterdam #netherlands |