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Dayan Kodua

Dayan Kodua

About me

Dayan Kodua, a versatile talent, excels in acting, voice work, writing, and entrepreneurship as the founder of Gratitude Verlag publishing house. Born in Ghana and raised in Kiel, Germany, she followed her passion for acting, studying in Berlin and Los Angeles.

Dayan has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry, starring in TV, film, and theater productions like "Tatort," "Unter Verdacht," "Fleisch ist mein Gemüse," "Hallo Ella," "Mephisto," and the award-winning "Devil Inside Me." Beyond her acting career, she passionately advocates for empowering People of Colour, striving to increase their representation as role models.

In 2014, Dayan published "My Black Skin: Schwarz. Erfolgreich. Deutsch," a photo book, accompanied by a traveling exhibition and workshops. Her dedication to empowering children is evident in her children's books, such as "Odo" (2019) and "Odo und der Beginn einer großen Reise" (2021), released through Gratitude Verlag.

Dayan's commitment to diversity and inclusivity led to collaborations with Random House USA, where she translated and published children's books like "Emmanuels Traum - die wahre Geschichte von Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah" by Laurie Ann Thompson and "Ich bin genug" by Grace Byers. Her publishing house boasts two New York Times bestsellers, "Ich singe dich von den Sternen zu mir herunter." Upcoming releases include children's books like "Trommel Traum Girl" by Margarita Engle and "Träumer" by Yuyi Morales, another New York Times bestseller.

In August 2022, Dayan released the second part of her photo book series, "My Black Skin: Lebensreisen," along with a traveling exhibition. Her goal is to raise awareness about Racial Profiling and underscore the significant roles held by Black Germans in society, contributing to positive changes in societal narratives.

Information

Acting age
35-44 years
Place of birth
Ghana
Height (cm)
176
Weight (in kg)
75
Eye color
brown
Hair color
black
Hair length
Long
Place of residence
Rosengarten (DE), Hamburg (DE)
Housing options
Munich (DE), Hamburg (DE), Stuttgart (DE), London (GB), Berlin (DE)
Nationality
German
Languages
English(native)German(native)Twi(native)AkanSign language (DE)Spanish
Dialects
African-EnglishAmerican-African AmericanAmerican-CaliforniaAmerican-StandardEnglish-StandardHamburgianJamaicanNorden(native dialect)Standard German
Accents
AfricanAmericanEnglish
Instruments
PianoDrum
Sport
BasketballGolfYogaCapoeiraJugglingKickboxingPilatesSwimmingVolleyball
Dance
Afro danceChoreographyFreestyle dancePopHip hopLatin American dancesSalsaJazz danceSamba
Main profession
Actor
Specializations
Model, Facilitator, Orator, Singer, Speaker, Dubbing actor
Singing
Backing vocalsBalladA cappellaGospelPopRockSoul/RnB
Special skills
BarmanCatwalkPracitical shooting
Pitch
Alto
Driver's licenses
B - Car

Credits

Professional background

-2005-2008: Schauspielausbildung mit Abschluss in Los Angeles, Theater of Arts. -2002-2004: Coaching Company-Berlin -2000- Abschluss als staatlich geprüfte Wirtschaftsassistentin

Other professional training

2019
Sprecherziehung/ Stimmbildung bei Eva Weissmann
2018
Casting Workshop & E-Casting Workshop bei Acting Booster
2007 – 2008
Schauspielunterricht bei Tasha Smith Studio in L.A
2005 – 2007
Schauspielstudium bei Theater of Arts
2004
Schauspielunterricht bei Howard Fine Studion, L.A
2001 – 2003
Coaching Company Berlin

Film

2023
Mo Wagner - Die Spur der Bilder (AT) (Feature film)
Farah (SR) Jörg Lüdorff Producer: Katrin Kuhn für ZDF Distribution: Zeitsprung Pictures GmbH Casting Director: Marc Schötteldreier Written by: Jörg Lüdorff
2022
The Devil Inside Me (Short film)
Mutter (MR) Gabriel B. Arrahnio Producer: Kevin Borgböhmer Distribution: Produktionspartner Snapper Films (U.K.) International Written by: Gabriel B. Arrahnio
2022
Bumper in Berlin (AT) (Series)
Juliebelle Tottentorf (ESR) Producer: Megan Amram, Elizabeth Banks, Max Handelman, Paul Brooks & Scott Niemeyer Co-Exec. Producer: Krissy Wall Distribution: Einundfünfzigste Babelsberg Film GmbH for NBC Universal Casting Director: Tröber Casting
2021
I Was Never Really Here (Short film)
Supporting role Gabriel B. Arrahnio
2018
Mein Schulweg des Lebens (Short film)
Mutter Bradley Iyamu Distribution: Kurzfilm
2016
T.H.U.G - True Hustler Under God (Cinema film)
Esther Okotie Benny John Distribution: Kino
2010
Wenn Bäume Puppen tragen (Short film)
Nabilas Tante (NR) (SR) Ismail Sahin Distribution: Kurzfilm, Macchiato Pictures
2009
Fremdenzimmer (Short film)
Jennifer (HR) (MR) Bela Lukac Distribution: Kurzfilm, Filmhochschule Wien
2009
Peripheres Verlangen (Short film)
Amina (HR) (MR) Beatrice Fevre Distribution: Kurzfilm, Kaskeline Filmakademie
2007
Fleisch ist mein Gemüse (Cinema film)
Soul Singer (NR) (SR) Christian Görlitz Distribution: KINO, Studio HH
2006
In other Words (Short film)
Angela Burris Distribution: Kurzfilm
2005
Crank (Cinema film)
Brian Taylor Distribution: KINO, Lakeshore
2005
Lords of the Underworld (Cinema film)
Madam (NR) (SR) Dale Reeves Distribution: KINO
2004
The Stoning (Cinema film)
Harald Holzenleiter Distribution: KINO

Television

2023
Tod in Mombasa (TV movie)
Supporting role Jörg Lühdorff Station: ZDF Casting Director: Marc Schötteldreier
2022
Nächste Ausfahrt Glück - Katharinas Entscheidung (Series)
Miriam Opoku (EL) Esther Gronenborn Station: ZDF Distribution: Producers at work Casting Director: Liza Stutzky
2022
Nächste Ausfahrt Glück - Familienbesuch (Series)
Miriam Opoku (EL) Esther Gronenborn Station: ZDF Distribution: Producers at work Casting Director: Liza Stutzky
2020
Die Pfefferkörner
Safiya Madowo Daniel Drechsel-Grau Station: NDR Casting Director: Marion Haack
2019
Salida Mallorca
Heilerin Ju Casper Jean Hogarzeil Station: Pilot
2019
Puzzel Pictures / Hart auf 4- Die Synchroncomedy
Die Superproducerin Christopher Groß
2018
Phönixsee
Jasmin Bettina Woernle Station: WDR
2016
Tatort. Am Ende geht man nackt
Neyla Mafany Marcus Imboden Station: ARD
2015
Eltern allein Zuhause
Kardiotrainerin Josh Broecker Station: ARD
2015
Phönixsee
Jasmin Bettina Woernle Station: WDR
2014
Männer! - Alles auf Anfang
Kellnerin Wellnessoase Edzard Onneken Station: RTL
2014
Großstadtrevier
Saidi Nuambe Jan Ruzicka Station: ARD
2011
Die Pfefferkörner
Bisa Garong (EHR) Klaus Wirbitzky Station: NDR, Studio Hamburg
2010
Unter Verdacht: eine elegante Lösung
Kahfee (NR) (SR) Aelrun Goette Station: ZDF, ARTE
2009
Der Dicke
Supporting role Marc Brummund Station: Serie, ARD / Studio HH
2008
Akte XY Ungeloest
Main role Peter Claridge Station: ZDF
2008
Dr. Molly & Karl
Frau Strellbeck (Epi HR) Franziska M. Price Station: Serie, SAT.1 / Prod. At Work
2003
Balko – Tod eines Fahrlehrers
Daniel Helfer Station: Serie, RTL
2003
Hai Alarm auf Mallorca
Jorgo Papavassilou Station: RTL
2003
Wahnsinnsweiber
Hans Schoenherr Station: SAT.1
2002
Die Hochzeit
Matthias Steurer Station: ZDF

Theater

2019
Die Stumme von Portici
Titelrolle „Fenella“ Valentina Carrasco Theater: Theater Kiel Casting Director: Valentina Carrasco
2018 – 2019
Hamburger Sprechwerk/ Hallo Ella
Solostück „Hallo Ella“ Denise Stellmann Theater: Hamburger Sprechwerk
2017
Ein Kunststück (England)
Kai Hufnagel Theater: Goldbekhaus
2013
Mephisto
Juliette Martens Michael Bodganov Theater: Altonaer Theater
2007
Barefoot in the park
Main role Tasha Smith Theater: Theater Los Angeles
2007
Diverting Devotion
Main role Tasha Smith Theater: Theater Los Angeles

Audio

2020
CSC Studio
Jill Scott (Synchron) Kerstin Dreger
2020
Lausch Medien (Audio drama)
Abebe Enyasi (HR) (MR) Günther Merlau
2019
NDR/ Radio Tatort
Ida Andrea Getto
2019
Studio Hamburg/ Taken Down (Dubbing)
Other Beate Klöckner Casting Director: Beate Klöckner
2019
Lausch Media/ Head Money
Abebe Enyasi (HR) (MR) Günter Merlau Casting Director: Günter Merlau
2015
SWR/Der Zan von Mellila
Sprecherin
2015
NDR Hörspiel/ Man Down
Sprecherin
2008
Goodfable/ Ajabu– das Vermächtnis der Ahnen
Sprecherin
2008
Lausch Media/ Caine (Audio drama)
Günter Merlau Casting Director: Günter Merlau