Meet Koialina Gray (AKA Makayla Graybeal), a homegrown Chatham creative with a background that spans music, theater, and dance.

She is currently working as puppeteer and narrator for “The Wild Wisdom of the World” by @paperhandpuppet, currently running at Chapel Hill’s Forest Theater. In this conversation (listen to the full audio on our website), we connect with Koialina about everything from her experience as a young artistic person growing up in Chatham County, to her current work performing with Paper Hand Puppet Intervention, to what’s next. “I also have never done what I’m doing now. So it kind of tapped into something new, which I really love. And it was a little bit more of a challenge. I love memorizing lines. I love looking out into an audience and getting to see their face as they receive the words I’m speaking. Yeah, what I’m talking about also is something I’m very passionate about and it’s so easy when it feels true to you and I get to kind of make it my own.” So, take a look–or in this case, have a listen—and meet your very inspiring neighbor. https://www.chathamartscouncil.org/meet-this-artist-koialina-gray/ Heather O’Shaughnessy interviews Koialina Gray. The Chatham Arts Council is investing in artists through our Meet This Artist series, introducing you to Chatham County’s creative community one interview at a time. This Meet This Artist feature is made possible with support from VRC, Ltd.