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Esther Rolle

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BIO

Rolle was a member of Asadata Dafora's dance troupe, Shogolo Oloba (later renamed the Federal Theater African Dance Troupe). She became the troupe's director in 1960. Rolle's earliest roles were on the stage; her New York stage debut was in the 1962 play The Blacks. She was often cast in plays produced by Robert Hooks and the Negro Ensemble Company. She also appeared in productions of The Crucible and Blues for Mr. Charlie. Rolle's most prominent early role was as Miss Maybell in the Melvin Van Peebles 1972 Broadway musical Don't Play Us Cheap, and its subsequent 1973 film adaptation.1 In 1977, Rolle portrayed Lady Macbeth in Orson Welles' Haitian-influenced version of William Shakespeare's Macbeth at the Henry Street New Federal Theater in Manhattan.

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
1980
Mrs. Harriet Washington

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1972
Miss Maybell


Awards and Nominations

Helen Hayes Awards - 1987 - Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production

Esther RolleA Raisin In The Sun

News


Darius V. Daughtry Brings SEEKING to the Broward Center This Month

 In 2022, Darius V. Daughtry, one of South Florida’s best-known poets, authors, directors and educators, presented a stage reading of Seeking, where he explored a journey of self-discovery in the midst of an everchanging world. Now he brings his well-received work to the stage in this new full production.
Stephen McKinley Henderson Will Be Master Teacher for 2024 Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship at Ten Chimneys

Ten Chimneys Foundation has announced Stephen McKinley Henderson as the 2024 Master Teacher for the nationally acclaimed Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship Program at the Historic National Landmark, Ten Chimneys.
Stephen Mckinley Henderson Will Lead The 2024 Lunt-fontanne Fellowship Program At Ten Chimneys

Ten Chimneys Foundation has announced Stephen McKinley Henderson as the 2024 Master Teacher for the nationally acclaimed Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship Program at the Historic National Landmark, Ten Chimneys.
New Federal Theatre to Present TELLING TALES OUT OF SCHOOL Beginning Next Month

Four women writers of the Harlem Renaissance meet in 'Telling Tales Out of School' by Wesley Brown, directed by Woodie King, Jr. at Castillo Theatre/ASP. The play offers a unique perspective on the Harlem Renaissance by providing a character study of four of its most-noted female prime movers. Check out event information here!
The Negro Ensemble Company to Premiere MECCA IS BURNING at Harlem Schoool Of The Arts In August

From August 10 to 26, the Negro Ensemble Company, Inc. (NEC), in conjunction with their residency at Penn Live Arts, will perform the world premiere of 'Mecca Is Burning' at Harlem School of the Arts.
New Federal Theatre to Present TELLING TALES OUT OF SCHOOL in May

New Federal Theatre will present 'Telling Tales Out of School,' a new play by Wesley Brown, from May 2 to 7 as a work in progress at Castillo Theatre/ASP.
THE HAPPENING: A THEATRICAL MIXTAPE VOLUME IV Comes to the Broward Center

A tapestry that explores the intricacies of life through the unique lens of Black men comes to life in The Happening: A Theatrical Mixtape, Volume IV: Black Like He, written and directed by Darius V. Daughtry and featuring some of South Florida's finest talent, in the Abdo New River Room at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Friday through Sunday, December 16-18. 
Broward Center In Fort Lauderdale Presents Staged Readings Of SEEKING

One of South Florida's best-known poets, authors, directors and educators takes the stage in the Abdo New River Room at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts when Art Prevails Project founder Darius V. Daughtry presents a staged reading of his new play, Seeking, on Saturday July 23 at 4 and 6 p.m. and Sunday, July 24 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15. 
Broward Center Presents RHYTHM BY THE RIVER Festival Celebrating Black Voices

The Broward Center for the Performing Arts presents Rhythm by the River, a festival celebrating some of the most exciting and innovative Black voices in Broward County. Sons of Mystro headline this free event on Sunday, March 20 from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. in Esplanade Park in Downtown Fort Lauderdale. 
Ali Cultural Arts Center to Pay Homage To Esther Rolle's Dance Career With New Exhibition

Ali Cultural Arts Center is honoring the dance career of iconic actress and Good Times star Esther Rolle with a new juried exhibition. While living in New York City, the celebrated Pompano Beach-born actress was a member of the Shogola Oloba dance troupe, created and led by master Asadata Dafora, and became its director in 1960.
Pompano Beach Exhibition Celebrates Broward's Black History

Pompano Beach Arts will present the exhibition B.A.S.E. (Broward Art and Soul Experience) at Ali Cultural Arts Center in Pompano Beach through May 13, 2021, by appointment. 
Pompano Beach Arts Presents the Old Skool Gang

The Pompano Beach Cultural Affairs Department will present the Old Skool Gang for a virtual Soulful Sundays concert. The high-energy event will have people dancing in their living rooms as the group belts out hit after hit while showcasing their smooth moves.
Pompano Beach Cultural Affairs Department Launches Short Term Artist in Residence Program

The Pompano Beach Cultural Affairs Department has announce a new pilot program to support young, emerging artists requiring short-term access to a creative workspace.
Charles Weldon, Artistic Director Of Negro Ensemble Company, Dies At 78

Actor/Director Charles Weldon, who was Artistic Director of The Negro Ensemble Company (NEC) since 2005, died December 7 at Mt. Sinai Hospital, NYC. He was 78.
Negro Ensemble Company Presents HERCULES DIDN'T WADE IN THE WATER

From May 16 to 27, The Negro Ensemble Company, Inc. will present the world premiere production of 'Hercules Didn't Wade in the Water' by Michael A Jones.  The play is winner of the troupe's 2017 Emerging Playwrights Competition.  Called a 'drama with comedy,' it is a story of displacement of Black families and the forces that lead to it in modern America.  Performances are at Theatre 80 St. Marks, 80 St. Marks Place.
getTV Reveals Mother's Day Lineup Including ALL IN THE FAMILY, GOOD TIMES, & More

What better way to spend Mother's Day than laughing with Mom at the first ladies of TV's funniest families, Edith Bunker and Florida Evans? To celebrate Mom's Day, getTV will air classic back-to-back episodes of “All in the Family” and “Good Times” showcasing the talents of Jean Stapleton and Esther Rolle, on Sunday, May 13 beginning at 1:30PM ET/12:30C and continuing all day until 12 midnight/11C.
Stephen McKinley Henderson To Lead Ten Chimneys Foundation's 2018 Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship Program

Ten Chimneys Foundation is proud to announce Stephen McKinley Henderson as the 2018 Master Teacher for the nationally acclaimed Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship Program at the Historic National Landmark, Ten Chimneys.
Negro Ensemble Company Presents HERCULES DIDN'T WADE IN THE WATER

From May 16 to 27, The Negro Ensemble Company, Inc. will present the world premiere production of 'Hercules Didn't Wade in the Water' by Michael A Jones. The play is winner of the troupe's 2017 Emerging Playwrights Competition. Called a 'drama with comedy,' it is a story of displacement of Black families and the forces that lead to it in modern America. Performances are at Theatre 80 St. Marks, 80 St. Marks Place.
Negro Ensemble Company Presents HERCULES DIDN'T WADE IN THE WATER

From May 16 to 27, The Negro Ensemble Company, Inc. will present the world premiere production of 'Hercules Didn't Wade in the Water' by Michael A Jones.  The play is winner of the troupe's 2017 Emerging Playwrights Competition.  Called a 'drama with comedy,' it is a story of displacement of Black families and the forces that lead to it in modern America.  Performances are at Theatre 80 St. Marks, 80 St. Marks Place.
The Negro Ensemble Company Remounts A SOLDIER'S PLAY This February

To reach an expanded audience, The Negro Ensemble Company, Inc. (NEC) will re-mount its 2017 revival of 'A Soldier's Play' by Charles Fuller, directed by Charles Weldon, from February 14 to March 4, 2018 at Gene Frankel Theatre, 24 Bond Street. The piece is historically NEC's most famous and successful play. It was produced last fall at Theatre 80 St. Marks as the culminating event of NEC's landmark 50th season, playing to full houses and glowing notices. The cast of that revival will return intact for the Gene Frankel Theatre run.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Esther Rolle been in?

Esther Rolle has appeared on Broadway in 2 shows.

How many West End shows has Esther Rolle been in?

Esther Rolle has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Esther Rolle been nominated for?

Esther Rolle was nominated for the Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production at the Helen Hayes Awards for her performance in A Raisin In The Sun.

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