Playwright Lynn Nottage and Actor Jessica Frances Dukes Discuss their New Play BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK

Two time Pulitzer-prize winning playwright Lynn Nottage, best known for Ruined and Tony-winning play Sweat, and actor Jessica Frances Dukes, who stars in Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark, joined AM to DM by BuzzFeed News this morning. The duo discussed their new play "By the Way, Meet Vera Stark," how things have and haven't changed for black actors since the early days of Hollywood, their inspiration for the story and character and more.

In honor of Black History Month, AM to DM by BuzzFeed News hosted special Blackout episodes each Friday throughout the month. The episodes have featured special programming celebrating Black culture featuring Black hosts, guests, and segments focusing on the Black experience, including weekly deep dives into issues affecting the community, a "What's Poppin" segment celebrating pop culture accomplishments, and all-Black installments of ongoing segments like Fire Tweets, Follow Friday and more.

The Signature Theatre production of By the Way, Meet Vera Stark, by two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner and Residency 1 playwright Lynn Nottage and directed by Obie Award-winner Kamilah Forbes, recently celebrated opening night on The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center.

The cast of By the Way, Meet Vera Stark includes Jenni Barber (Sunday in the Park with George) as Gloria, Jessica Frances Dukes (Yellowman) as Vera, Tony Award nominee Manoel Felciano (Amélie, Sweeney Todd) as Max/Peter, Warner Miller (Netflix's "Luke Cage") as Leroy/Herb, Carra Patterson (Jitney) as Anna Mae/Afua, Heather Alicia Simms(Signature's Fabulation, or The Re-Education of Undine) as Lottie/Carmen and David Turner (The Boys in the Band) as Brad/Slavick.

The creative team includes Clint Ramos(Scenic Design), Dede M. Ayite(Costume Design), Matt Frey (Lighting Design), Mikaal Sulaiman (Sound Design), Katherine Freer (Projection Design) and Daniel Kluger(Composition). The Production Stage Manager is Laura Wilson and Casting is by Caparelliotis Casting.

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