Antoinette Nwandu facts for kids

Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu is an American playwright, which means she writes plays for the theater. She is based in New York and is known for creating powerful and thought-provoking stories for the stage.

Early Life and Education

Antoinette Nwandu was born and grew up in Los Angeles, California. She was a dedicated student and attended several famous universities. She studied at Harvard University, the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, and the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU.

Studying at these top schools helped her develop her skills as a writer. She is also a member of a spoken-word group called Sister Scribes, where she performs her writing.

Career as a Playwright

Nwandu has worked with many well-known theaters and programs that help new playwrights grow. These experiences allowed her to share her work and become a respected voice in American theater.

She has received several fellowships, which are special programs that support talented writers. She was a Dramatists Guild Fellow and a Eugene O'Neill Playwrights Conference Fellow. These are big honors that show how much experts believe in her work.

The Success of Pass Over

One of Nwandu's most famous plays is called Pass Over. In 2015, it was chosen as a finalist for the Ruby Prize, a major award for female playwrights. The play was also included on the 2016 Kilroys' List, a list that highlights the best new plays written by women.

Pass Over was first performed at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago in 2017. It was so successful that it was filmed live at the theater. This film version was directed by Danya Taymor and the famous director Spike Lee. It was released on Amazon Prime Video in 2018, allowing people all over the world to see it. The play later made its New York City debut at the Lincoln Center Theater in June 2018.

Other Important Plays

In 2018, another one of her plays, titled Breach, was performed at the Victory Gardens Theater in Chicago. It was directed by Lisa Portes. This play explores important ideas about identity and society.

Awards and Recognition

Nwandu has won many awards for her writing. She received the Lorraine Hansberry Playwriting Award for her play Flat Sam in 2009. She also won the Negro Ensemble Company's Douglas Turner Ward Prize.

Being a finalist for other awards, like the Page73 Fellowship and the Princess Grace Award, shows that she is considered one of the most talented playwrights of her generation.

Notable Works

Here are some of Antoinette Nwandu's plays:

• FLAT SAM (2013)
• Vanna White Must ... (2012)
• Black Boy & the War (2011)
• 4 Sustenance (2012)
• Pass Over (2017)
• BREACH (2018)

See also

In Spanish: Antoinette Nwandu para niños