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Ato Blankson-Wood

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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
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


Williamstown Theatre Festival 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.
Tony Danza and More Join Williamstown Theatre Festival Summer Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 22, 2025

Additional cast members have been unveiled for the Williamstown Theatre Festival's 71st season. The season will feature Tony Danza and more. See the lineup here!
Camille A. Brown Will Direct West Coast Premiere Reading of SWEET LORRAINE
by Stephi Wild - May 21, 2025

Celebration Theatre, in partnership with City of West Hollywood and Los Angeles LGBT Center's Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center will present the West Coast Premiere reading of sweet lorraine.
Exclusive: André De Shields to Return as Hermes for LIVE FROM MOUNT OLYMPUS Season 6
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 14, 2025

BroadwayWorld is excited to exclusively reveal that Tony-winner André De Shields is back as Hermes, god of storytellers, travelers, and thieves, in the sixth season of the hit podcast Live From Mount Olympus. Check out the trailer here!
Ato Blankson-Wood and More Will Lead THE SWAMP DWELLERS at Theatre for a New Audience
by Stephi Wild - Mar 14, 2025

Theatre for a New Audience will present the Off-Broadway premiere of the 1958 production, The Swamp Dwellers. The cast has now been announced. Learn more here!
Video: Watch 8 MINUTES 20 SECONDS Short Film Starring Brandon Uranowitz and Ato Blankson-Wood
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 26, 2025

After a successful festival run, the short film 8 MINUTES 20 SECONDS, starring stars Tony Award winner Brandon Uranowitz and Tony nominee Ato Blankson-Wood has been released on Omeleto, YouTube’s top showcase for award-winning short films. Watch it now!
Full Cast Set for ALONG THE BENT AND NARROW Industry Reading
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 19, 2025

The full cast has been sent for a reading of Owen Lou Wilson's Along the Bent and Narrow directed by Danny Sharron. See who is starring and learn how to attend.
Benjamin Pelteson, Ato Blankson-Wood, and Mallory Portnoy to Lead ALONG THE BENT AND NARROW Reading
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 13, 2025

Benjamin Pelteson, Ato Blankson-Wood, and Mallory Portnoy will star in a private reading of Owen Lou Wilson's Along the Bent and Narrow directed by Danny Sharron. Learn more!
Photos: Inside the 24th Annual THE 24 HOUR PLAYS On Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 24, 2024

The 24th Annual The 24 Hour Plays On Broadway, a one-night-only event featuring distinguished artists from the New York entertainment community took place this week at The Town Hall. Check out photos from the one-night-only production.
David Iacono, Lois Smith, Avantika And More Join THE 24 HOUR PLAYS On Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 19, 2024

THE 24 HOUR PLAYS has announced additional artists for The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway on Monday October 21, 2024 at 7pm at The Town Hall (123 W 43rd St, New York NY, 10036). The annual event features distinguished artists from the New York entertainment community coming together for one night only to create, rehearse, and perform six new plays.
Cat Cohen, Elizabeth Marvel, Jen Tullock & More to Star in THE 24 HOUR PLAYS at The Town Hall
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 2, 2024

THE 24 HOUR PLAYS revealed the first round of artists for their annual gala on October 21, 2024, at The Town Hall. The event will feature Brett Azur, Ato Blankson-Wood, Devon Bostick, David Burtka, and more. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Photos: Adam Lambert and Auli'i Cravalho in CABARET AT THE KIT KAT CLUB
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 16, 2024

Get a first look at Adam Lambert and Auli'i Cravalho in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club on Broadway. See their first photos, learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
Photos: CABARET Stars Eddie Redmayne & Gayle Rankin Honored with Sardi's Portraits
by Bruce Glikas - Sep 8, 2024

Cabaret stars Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin were placed on the Sardi’s Walls of Broadway fame with portraits at an unveiling by Max Klimavicius, owner of Sardi’s. Check out photos from the event below!
Calvin Leon Smith to Join CABARET as 'Clifford Bradshaw' in September
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 5, 2024

Calvin Leon Smith will return to Broadway this Fall as ‘Clifford Bradshaw’ in the Tony Award -winning Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club at the August Wilson Theatre. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.

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.

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