About

Taneka M. Bennett is a musical theatre composer, lyricist, librettist, arranger, creative writer, classically trained violist/vocalist and producer. She was inspired by music at an early age and  was often in the company of musical greats, such as Patti Labelle and others. If she wasn’t sitting in her window seat writing music, lyrics or a play, she was singing in the bathroom, playing the viola, playing the piano or having the neighborhood kids perform one of her original theatrical productions – her stage, the grassy area above a retaining wall. As a former social worker, life inspires her work and she strives to impact positive change in others through creative works.

She’s the recipient of a grant from the North Carolina Arts Council, through Alamance Arts, for her work, Mental: the Musical. This production made its workshop appearance in June of 2016, and was recognized by The Times News as a production worthy of a Broadway stage. All seven performances were presented before sold out audiences. Sponsorship support was provided by Mary Kay Cosmetics.   She is also the composer lyricist, librettist, and arranger for the musical, Wrecking Ball®, which made it’s workshop appearance in 2018 with the support of $30,000 raised through a Kickstarter campaign. In-laws, a work she launched in early 2000, received rave reviews, performed before sold out crowds and marque sponsorship dollars were provided by Pepsi, and State Farm Insurance, while smaller companies also made a financial contribution to her work. She is currently writing a new musical theatrical work which will be released in the near future.

Taneka has worked in various roles in musical theatre. She has played her viola in the orchestra, has performed as an actress in regional theatre productions, and has written the book, lyrics and music for three full length musicals. Recently, she co-wrote the underscore for the national touring production of the “Neighborhood Barbershop,” which features television star Allen Payne, comedian Monique, recording artist Angela Winbush and several other well known performers. She also shadowed Broadway legend, and Broadway’s Newsies, Tony nominee choreographer and director, Jeff Calhoun during the rehearsal process for the national touring production of Dolly Parton’s “9-5.”

As an actress, Taneka has toured with Touring Theatre of North Carolina in its production of the “Life and Times of Fannie Lou Hamer,” and performed in its original production “Living Rough.” She also toured with Sunbelt Theatre Company, in its original production of “Billy, I Love the Music Business,” – a musical about the life of Billy Eckstein and the turning point of bebop, jazz and blues. She’s performed her dramatic works in various venues and has opened for Dr. Maya Angelou, James Earl Jones, Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, Tavis Smiley, Kweisi Mfume, jazz artist Doc Powell at the Austin, Texas MLK celebrations. She has also opened for recording artist Martha Munizzi, Dorinda Clark-Cole at the Lamplighter Awards and has also opened for several other acts. She’s an active participant of North Carolina’s creative community, formerly an active member of the Center for Creative Economy’s Swerve program, participates in the Greensboro Playwrights’ Forum, and was  a featured speaker at a Burlington Writers’ Club and the Alamance Writer’s Club.

As an advocate for the arts, she is a former contractor for Creative Startup Southeast/ Center for Creative Economy’s Swerve network where she played a key role connecting creative industries across silos. With a MBA in Marketing from St. Edward’s University,  a BA in Psychology from Hampton University and an advertising agency background, Taneka uses her many gifts to assist creative industries with audience development.  She’s  counseled several arts organizations including North Carolina A&T’s Paul Robeson Theatre, Touring Theatre of North Carolina, Sunbelt Theatre Company, Centennial Station Dinner Theatre, Alamance Arts, Greenhill Art Gallery, the Heritage Council, Center for Creative Economy and more. She is also an alum of the Commercial Theater Institutes’ Broadway Producing 3-day Intensive program.

When Taneka’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, theatre hopping, recording at the studio, photography, skiing, kayaking, hiking, camping/backpacking, art gallery hopping, lounging with a good book and volunteering in her community.