Ty-Quan Steven Payne is a dynamic artist and award-winning educator calling Brooklyn home. Fueled by the need for diverse voices to resonate within the theater world, his journey began with a simple desire: to be heard. This led him to found Love Payne Productions in 2016, creating a necessary platform to champion his work and, significantly, to amplify the narratives and talents of fellow artists often excluded from mainstream stages.

Ty-Quan's passion extends to nurturing actors and young people, guiding them through personalized coaching to unlock their full potential and navigate the complexities of the industry with support.

He honed his craft at SUNY Purchase College, studying Theater and Performance Arts, and under the mentorship of Faye Simpson and Joshua Noble. Ty-Quan has participated in extensive training at the Atlantic Theater Company and the National Actors Retreat (HBMG Foundation). His acting credits include diverse roles from ‘Lust’ in Thoughts of a Colored Man to ‘Proteus’ in As You Like It. Through Love Payne Productions, he has written, directed, and produced award-winning Off-Broadway shows like The Wedding and The Rat Sandwich, bringing distinct perspectives to audiences. His commitment to community-centered work is evident in productions like Courtesy, Professionalism, Respect, and Solid Ground, created for Mass Transit Street Theater in The Bronx, bridging the gap between professional artistry and local relevance.

Driven by curiosity, a love of beauty, and a darkly humorous perspective, Ty-Quan creates characters and stories that delve into the vulnerabilities at the heart of humanity. He continues to push boundaries with projects like his one-man show Window Payne: A Love Letter to myself and, most recently, For the Love of Whiskey. Both as an individual artist and through Love Payne Productions, Ty-Quan remains deeply committed to elevating others and shaping a theatrical landscape that is richer, more inclusive, and more deeply connected to the human experience.