BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that Black theater pioneer Shauneille Perry Ryder has died at age 92. Perry was an actress, playwright and educator who was one of the first Black women to direct plays Off Broadway, most notably for the New Federal Theater.
With the long-running Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope, in which she also starred, she became the first woman to win a Grammy Award for the score of a Broadway musical. She also received Tony nominations for book, music, and lyrics. Another Grammy nomination for the score (with Alex Bradford) of Your Arms Too Short to Box with God followed, as well as another Tony nomination for the score of Working.
The League of Professional Theatre Women will present an Oral History Project event with the award-winning composer, lyricist, playwright, and actress Micki Grant on Monday, November 16 at 6pm on Zoom. Admission to the event is FREE. The interview with Ms. Grant has been prerecorded, and will be followed by a live Q&A.
Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, Artistic Producer), New York City's award-winning pioneer in diversity and multi-ethnic casting in the performing arts since 1968, will celebrate its 49th Anniversary at its annual Gala Benefit on Monday, April 2, 2018 at the Baruch Performing Arts Center (East 25th Street between Lexington and 3rd Avenues). Honorary Chair for the event is Tony Award-nominated actor/singer and 2016 Rosie Award-winner Norm Lewis. Two-time Tony Award-nominee Brad Oscar will be Master of Ceremonies for the evening.
Drama Desk Award winning playwright Ms. J. e Franklin will present her new book To Break Every Yoke, a collection of plays that includes her classic drama Black Girl, on Sunday October 5, from 2pm-4pm at the Castillo Theatre located at 543 W 42nd Street.
Award-winning playwright Ms. J. E. Franklin, the creator of the plays 'Black Girl' (Drama Desk Award) and 'Christchild' (John F. Kennedy New American Play Award), publishes an empowering new book about freedom: 'To Break Every Yoke.' Her latest work introduces stories of real people who triumph over forces which hold them in some form of bondage, two of which are inspired by her personal experience.