Nationally Touring Show & Film

"Slice into a Community Conversation on Culture, Class, Race & Cake"

Kelly cuts into a cake, revealing what its history and ingredients can teach us about race, class and equity in America. Experience the live performance by Dasha and her baker, plus a delicious conversation and cake.

Watch & Preview

Performance Trailer & Excerpts

Performance clips, stage baking dynamics, and audience reactions from Dasha's nationally touring show.

The Performance Experience

A Sweet Metaphor for Complex Conversations

Makin' Cake cuts through race, class, culture, and history through the lens of America's favorite dessert. Using vignette storytelling, poetry, and live baking dynamics, Dasha Kelly leads audiences through a multi-layered examination of privilege, labor, and connection.

Praise & Reactions

"Brilliant and compelling storytelling of a very serious topic. WOW!"

— Patricia CarrollUniversity of Wisconsin Extension

"Makin' Cake is brilliantly performed! Dasha creatively uses layers of cake and the evolution of its ingredients to teach the history of race, class and inequity and how 'isms' got built into our culture. Remarkable!"

— Karen NelsonDirector of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for Rogers Memorial Health

"Dasha crafted an event that filled the theatre with learning, discussion, laughter, and applause! Props to Dasha for creating and delivering a meaningful message that applies to all of us."

— Christy SchwanPresident of Ozaukee County League of Women Voters

"Dasha's way of telling a slice of America's history is captivating and makes the bad ingredients a little easier to swallow because they, too, are a part of the cake."

— Bregetta WilsonCommunity Advocate

"And best of all, there was something baking during the production that was better than cake. The sense of community. I left feeling closer to the person next to me. And I think we could all use a second helping of that these days. Bravo."

— Scottie Lee MyersJournalist, PBS

"She takes us through history as she deals with race, culture, women's roles, class structure, inequity and more. It's a lot to bite off—no matter how you slice it."

— Shepherd ExpressArts & Culture Review

"So deliciously presented!"

— Sharon LezbergUniversity of Wisconsin Extension
Dasha Kelly with Makin' Cake
Live Performance & Cake Tasting

Every show culminates in real cake served to the audience alongside facilitated community conversation.

Show Overview

  • 75-minute performance + 30-minute cake reception
  • Ideal for theaters, universities, & civic venues
  • Includes live digital visuals and baker on stage

Live Stage Show

January 17, 2027 · 3:00 PMTICKETED SHOW

Historic Masonic Theatre

Alleghany Highlands Arts Council Presents

510 Main Street, Clifton Forge, VA 24422

Wisconsin's Poet Laureate, Dasha Kelly stars in a one-woman theatrical work that slices into aspects of race, culture, and class in a refreshing and fun way. Part history lesson, part social science revelation, Makin' Cake leaves room for dessert and dialogue at a cake reception following the show.

All tickets are subject to a $5 fee. Tickets are nonrefundable.

Box Office: 540-862-5655Tickets & Event Details
Dasha Kelly smiling in red dress
Hands unwrapping chocolate frosted cupcake
Freshly cut slice of red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting
Dasha Kelly performing Makin' Cake on stage in red dress
Bring Makin' Cake to Your Venue

Inquiries & Bookings

Represented nationally by Siegel Artist Management. For performance dates, residency packages, and educational workshops:

Production Photos

Gallery

Makin' Cake live audience engagement

Makin' Cake live audience engagement

Dasha on stage during performance

Dasha on stage during performance

Community cake tasting post-show

Community cake tasting post-show

Dasha Kelly with signature Makin' Cake

Dasha Kelly with signature Makin' Cake

We Inkwell