Karla Payne

Karla Payne (Sheila Henderson) Karla Payne is a veteran stage actress and has appeared in countless productions, including Little Shop of Horrors, Into the Woods and Black Nativity. Most recently, she appeared as Actress 1 in Do Lord Remember Me, a stage play written by James de Jongh, produced by New Horizon Theater, Inc. Set Free is her first major film appearance. Karla began her formal studies as a voice major at Duquesne University, under the tutelage of jazz great Maureen Budway. She went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Music Merchandising from Mansfield University in Pennsylvania. As a founding member of the 3-voice female a cappella group, Anaiah, Karla sang for and with many gospel recording artists, including Tye Tribbett, Damita Haddon and Lisa McClendon. She has also sung background vocals for artists such as Dorinda Clark-Cole, James Ziegler, Anita Levels and Tia Pittman. As a wordsmith and spoken word artist, Karla is known by the penname Spirit-Lead, and has been writing poetry since 2004. Her name symbolizes the influence of the Holy Spirit as she writes, applying her pencil lead to the paper. Her meticulous use of wordplay, coupled with a message of hope, restoration and redemption, has caught the ear of many who have had the pleasure of experiencing her unique talent. Her debut album, Words Unspoken, was released in May 2012.