MetroArts Detroit
Featuring a diverse group of artists from the metro Detroit Area
Steve Blackwood
Steve Blackwood was raised in Detroit, MI and graduated with honors from Oakland University in Rochester, MI. From there, Steve moved to NY to study acting with the great Uta Hagen, appearing off-Broadway and in nightclubs as a jazz singer. It was there Steve met his wife Karen and after the ceremony drove to LA to try T.V. and film work—the cross-country drive was the honeymoon!
In LA, Steve worked on countless TV (JUDGING AMY, N.Y.P.D. BLUE) and film projects (ED GEIN) before landing the role of BART on NBC's long running soap
opera, DAYS OF OUR LIVES (1997-2007).
A national recording artist, Steve's CD's include JAZZBABY, an all-star (Dr. John, Billy Preston) compilation on
CASABLANCA RECORDS (NY) and I DONT WORRY ’BOUT A THING on Pat
Boone's GOLD LABEL. Most recently Steve has appeared with the Jersey Boys at The Detroit Music Hall and has sung the National Anthem for the LA Lakers.
Steve has worked with such luminaries as Jamie Lee Curtis, Tyne Daly, and
Gerard Butler (MACHINE GUN PREACHER), as well as continuing to teach and lecture across the country on the art of acting and administrating a film/TV career. He is adjunct professor at HILLSDALE COLLEGE in Michigan and
includes SPRING ARBOR, JACKSON CC and MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY amongst his lecture stops. He will teach at the OU Honors College in 2012.
On stage, Mr. Blackwood's credits include THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE (Double Image Theatre/NY), THE PRISONER OF 2nd AVENUE (Katselas Theatre/LA), and most recently BOEING-BOEING (Meadowbrook Theatre/Rochester, MI) winner: WILDE AWARD Best Comedy 2010, winner: ANDES AWARD Best Actor in a Comedy. Steve has also been honored to receive the MATILDA AWARD for lifetime achievement in Theatre from Oakland University (2001).
He lives in Beverly Hills, MI with his artist/wife Karen Blackwood and their12-year-old daughter Nicole.
Timothy Orikri
Timothy UfuomaEfe Orikri is a freelance artist whose style varies from semi-realism to abstract paintings, hand-painted ceramics and music. Although currently residing in Michigan, he was born the son of a Baptist minister in the Delta State, southern Nigeria. It’s not surprising that this early upbringing has been influential on his perception of the world. His artistic desires – much like the messages given by his father from the pulpit – come in themes of hope, harmony, and the gift of nature. His sincere lifelong desire is to use a wide spectrum of vibrant colors and mixed mediums to create a secure world in which humanity is restored to God’s intended pure state for man at the dawn of creation.
Trezz Larry
Trezz Larry was born and raised in the City of Detroit where music has been a part of his life since the early age of 9. Coming from a family that's always into listening to music and trying to mimic what they hear, it's no wonder why Trezz Larry captures his abilities and utilizes the gift that God has provided him with. Whether he's singing, playing the piano, or writing songs, he is always being the creative person that he is. If asked to describe his music, Trezz Larry will tell you that his sound is a fusion of Soul, Pop & Jazz, with an R&B Flavor.