tracker
My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Home Philadelphia For You Chat My Shows (beta) Register/Login Games Grosses
Ato Blankson-Wood Headshot

Ato Blankson-Wood

Get Ato Blankson-Wood Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

BIO

Ato Blankson-Wood (he/him) is best known for his starring role in Jeremy O. Harris’ critically acclaimed Slave Play, for which he was nominated for a 2021 Tony Award. He has also earned nominations for the Drama League Awards and the inaugural Antonyo Awards for playing ‘Gary,’ a role he originated for the New York Theatre Workshop production, where his performance earned him a Lortel Nomination. This past summer, Ato played the titular role of Hamlet in Shakespeare in the Park’s production directed by Kenny Leon. Prior to this, Ato starred opposite Bill Camp and Elizabeth Marvel in Long Day’s Journey Into Night for Audible, which reunited him with Slave Play director Robert O’Hara. Ato had his breakout performance in the Public Theatre musical The Total Bent (Drama League and Lucille Lortel Award nomination) which explored the life of a black musical prodigy in a nation on the verge of social upheaval. Ato has also been seen on Broadway in Hair and Lysistrata Jones, as well as in The Rolling Stone for Lincoln Center (Drama League Award nomination for Distinguished Performance). Films include Kathryn Bigelow’s Detroit, Spike Lee’s BlacKKKlansman, Worth, opposite Michael Keaton, and Peter Hedge’s The Same Storm. Television includes “The Good Fight,” “She’s Gotta Have It,” and Ava DuVernay’s “When They See Us.” Ato is represented by Independent Artist Group and D2 Management.



Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
2025
Pericles ()

[Off-Broadway]
2025
Igwezu ()

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2024
Cliff


[Off-Broadway]
The Public Theater Shakespeare in the Park Production, 2023
Hamlet


[Off-Broadway]
Shakespeare in the Park Production, 2022
Orlando


[Off-Broadway]
2022
Edmund Tyrone


[Broadway]
Broadway Return, 2021
Gary [Replacement]

[Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2019


[Off-Broadway]
American Premiere at Lincoln Center, 2019
Dembe


[Off-Broadway]
NYTW Off-Broadway World Premiere, 2018
Gary


[Off-Broadway]
The Public Theater Shakespeare in the Park Production, 2018
Orsino


[Off-Broadway]
MCC World Premiere Production, 2018
Performer


[Off-Broadway]
Public Theatre Public Works Production, 2017
Orlando


[Off-Broadway]
Public Theatre Off-Broadway Production, 2016
Marty Roy


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2011
Tyllus


[West End]
London Revival, 2010
Member of the Tribe


[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2009


[Off-Broadway]
Shakespeare In The Park Revival, 2008
Tribe


Movies

It's Kind of a Funny Story
[ 2010 ] Jennifer
Detroit
[ 2017 ] Eddie
BlacKkKlansman
[ 2018 ] Hakeem
The Kindergarten Teacher
[ 2018 ] Justin
Worth
[ 2020 ] Darryl Barnes
The Same Storm
[ 2021 ] Russell Davis

TV Shows

Great Performances
Hamlet
Great Performances
Hamlet

Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2020 - Distinguished Performance Award

Ato Blankson-Wood, The Rolling Stone

Drama League Awards - 2020 - Distinguished Performance Award

Ato Blankson-Wood, Slave Play

Tony Awards - 2020 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Ato Blankson-Wood, Slave Play

Drama League Awards - 2017 - Distinguished Performance Award

Ato Blankson-Wood, The Total Bent

The Lortels - 2017 - Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical

Ato Blankson-Wood, The Total Bent

Videos

News


Photos: Inside Opening Night of THE SEAT OF OUR PANTS
by Jennifer Broski - Nov 14, 2025

The Public Theater just celebrated opening night for the world premiere of THE SEAT OF OUR PANTS, featuring a cast led by Ruthie Ann Miles, Micaela Diamond, Amina Faye, Damon Daunno, Shuler Hensley, and Andy Grotelueschen. Check out photos from the big night here.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld November 3, 2025- PUNCH Closes on Broadway and More
by - Nov 3, 2025

Wake up to all the latest buzz from the theatre world! Last night, the starry new play Little Bear Ridge Road opened on Broadway with Laurie Metcalf and Micah Stock taking the stage—get an inside look at the celebration and check out photos from the curtain call.
Ro Reddick, Keenan Tyler Oliphant and Ato Blankson-Wood to Receive Vineyard Theatre Awards
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 31, 2025

Vineyard Theatre has revealed the recipients of the 2025-2026 Paula Vogel Playwriting Award and Colman Domingo Award and the 2025-2027 Susan Stroman Directing Award.
Photos: Ariana DeBose, Erich Bergen, and More at the NYCLU and ACLU 'Sing Out for Freedom' Concert
by Stephi Wild - Oct 29, 2025

On Monday night, the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) and American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) hosted the 23rd annual Sing Out for Freedom concert at NYU Skirball. Check out photos from the event here!
Keen Company 2025"2026 Season To Include New MIXTAPE SERIES and More
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 7, 2025

Keen Company’s 2025–2026 season will feature the debut of its Mixtape Series—four one-night-only events curated by Monica Bill Barnes & Company, Adam Gwon, Ato Blankson-Wood, and Mona Mansour.
Video: Denée Benton Performs 'It's My Birthday' From PERICLES at The Public
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 3, 2025

Watch Denée Benton perform 'It's My Birthday' from PERICLES: A Public Works Concert Experience, which ran for free at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Learn more!
Video: Watch Highlights from Public Works' PERICLES
by Nicole Rosky - Sep 2, 2025

You can now get a first look at PERICLES: A Public Works Concert Experience, which will run for free at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine through tonight, Tuesday, September 2. See photos here and watch highlights below!
Photos: Denée Benton, Blankson-Wood and More in PERICLES
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 29, 2025

You can now get a first look at PERICLES: A Public Works Concert Experience, which will run for free at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Learn more here!
Photos: Denée Benton, Ato Blankson-Wood and More in PERICLES Rehearsal
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 26, 2025

The Public Theater will begin free performances of PERICLES: A Public Works Concert Experience at the awe-inspiring Cathedral of St. John the Divine. See rehearsal photos here!
PERICLES: A PUBLIC WORKS CONCERT EXPERIENCE Begins This Week At Cathedral Of St. John The Divine
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 26, 2025

Pericles: A Public Works Concert Experience comes to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine August 29–September 2. With choreography by EMERGE125’s Tiffany Rea-Fisher, direction by Carl Cofield, and starring Denée Benton, Ato Blankson-Wood, and Tony winner Alex Newell, the free Public Works production reimagines Shakespeare’s tale through gospel and the Black church.
Photos: Denée Benton, Crystal Lucas Perry and More In Rehearsal for PERICLES: A Public Works Concert Experience
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 19, 2025

Check out rehearsal photos for PERICLES: A Public Works Concert Experience, which will run for free at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, August 29-September 2.
Top Off-Broadway Shows for August 2025
by Sidney Paterra - Aug 1, 2025

What's happening off-Broadway? BroadwayWorld is here to guide you through the top picks for theatre for August 2025! See the list of BroadwayWorld's top shows here!
Denée Benton, Ato Blankson-Wood and More to Star in Public Works' PERICLES
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 23, 2025

The Public Theater has revealed the cast for PERICLES: A Public Works Concert Experience, a new adaptation with music and lyrics by Troy Anthony. Learn more!
Williamstown Theatre Festival Kicks Off 71st Season with CAMINO REAL, NOT ABOUT NIGHTINGALES, and More
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 16, 2025

Williamstown Theatre Festival returns July 17–August 3 for its 71st season, featuring Pamela Anderson in Camino Real, new work by Jeremy O. Harris, a world premiere on ice, and late-night comedy from Julio Torres and Sydnee Washington.
The 24 Hour Plays Reveals Company for The 24 Hour Plays Nationals in NYC
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 27, 2025

The 24 Hour Plays revealed this year's company for The 24 Hour Plays Nationals in NYC. Learn more about the events taking place in July and see how to attend!
Keen Company Reveals New Leadership Roles for Upcoming 26th Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 25, 2025

Off-Broadway's Keen Company has revealed its new leadership for its 26th Season. Learn more about Keen Company's new leadership changes and upcoming season here!
Amber Heard, Brandon Flynn, Lío Mehiel and More Set for Williamstown Theatre Festival
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 23, 2025

Additional cast members have been revealed for Williamstown Theatre Festival's 71st season. See who is staring and learn how to purchase tickets.
Williamstown Theatre Festival Reveals Additional Casting, Creatives, and Programming for 2025 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 12, 2025

Williamstown Theatre Festival has announced additional casting, creative team members, and programming for its 71st season (W71), running Thursday, July 17 through Sunday, August 3. Weekend passes and single tickets are available now.
Photos: The Public Theater Celebrates the Newly Renovated Delacorte Theater at 2025 Gala
by Jennifer Broski - Jun 12, 2025

The Public Theater just presented its annual gala on the lawn outside the newly renovated Delacorte Theater, where guests got an exclusive preview as The Public lit up the reimagined theater for the first time.
Berkeley Rep Reveals 2025 GROUND FLOOR SUMMER RESIDENCY LAB Lineup
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 11, 2025

Berkeley Repertory Theatre has revealed the full lineup for its 2025 Ground Floor Summer Residency Lab, welcoming over 120 local and national artists to develop 24 cutting-edge theatrical projects.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Ato Blankson-Wood been in?

Ato Blankson-Wood has appeared on Broadway in 5 shows.

How many West End shows has Ato Blankson-Wood been in?

Ato Blankson-Wood has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was Ato Blankson-Wood's first West End show?

Ato Blankson-Wood's first West End show was Hair which opened in 2010

What awards has Ato Blankson-Wood been nominated for?

Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for The Rolling Stone, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Slave Play, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Slave Play, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for The Total Bent and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical (The Lortels) for The Total Bent.

Get Ato Blankson-Wood Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos