Element Everest-Blanks is a Milwaukee-based media personality, cultural strategist, and founder of The Culture Plug — a lifestyle and media brand that amplifies diverse voices through storytelling, creative collaboration, and community connection. As Amplifier in Residence, Everest-Blanks will create exclusive content and serve as a community voice to spotlight MPAC’s diverse programming, including the Culture Collective, a series designed to celebrate artists from various backgrounds and artistic disciplines.

Audiences can look forward to behind-the-scenes features, artist interviews, and special ticket giveaways. Everest-Blanks will also serve as a host and spokesperson, connecting audiences directly with the artistry and energy that define MPAC’s programming.

In October 2023, the Marcus Performing Arts Center joined First Stage on a co-commission of Dream, Quickie! Dream! for young audiences and their families based on Driver’s successful Quickie Series of children’s books.

In January 2023, the Marcus Performing Arts Center hosted Step Afrika! for a three-day residency that included workshops, a panel discussion, a Divine 9 roll call, public performance, and Student Matinee. Driver participated in the adult workshop, panel discussion, and introduced the performance. 

In his first engagements as MPAC Cultural Ambassador, Driver sat down with diverse leaders in the performing arts industry to talk successes, trials, triumphs, and more in the Artists Unscripted Series.

Check out some of Driver’s work as MPAC Cultural Ambassador in the videos below:

Driver and Dream, Quickie! Dream! cast members.

Step Afrika! Residency

Go behind the scenes with Hiplet!

Watch the full conversation with Terence Blanchard.

Watch our favorite Driver and Blanchard clips!