Dominique Morisseau facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dominique Morisseau
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | March 13, 1978 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Occupation | Playwright, Actor |
| Education | University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (BFA) |
| Notable awards | Chambers Playwriting Award NAACP Image Award Primus Prize for an Emerging Woman Playwright The Steinberg Playwright Award Stavis Playwriting Award Obie Award, 2016 MacArthur Fellowship, 2018 Windham-Campbell Literature Prize, 2023 |
Dominique Morisseau (born March 13, 1978) is an American writer and actress from Detroit, Michigan. She is famous for writing many plays, especially a group of three plays called The Detroit Project. In 2018, she received a special award called the MacArthur Fellowship, often called the 'Genius Grant', for her amazing work.
Contents
Meet Dominique Morisseau
Dominique Morisseau grew up in Detroit, Michigan, with her parents. Her mother's family is from Mississippi, and her father's family is from Haiti. She went to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she earned a degree in Acting in 2000.
While in college, she met J. Keys, who is also from Michigan. They got married in 2013. J. Keys is a music promoter and hip-hop musician.
Becoming a Playwright
Dominique Morisseau started her career by performing live poetry in Detroit. After college, she continued acting in different plays. However, she found that there weren't many roles she wanted to play. This inspired her to start writing her own plays. She wanted to create the kinds of characters and stories she felt were missing.
Morisseau believes that music is a huge part of her writing. She says it helps her connect with different cultures. Her plays often include musical elements or are inspired by music.
In 2015–16, Dominique Morisseau was one of the top 20 most-produced playwrights in America, with 10 of her plays being shown across the country.
She has also worked in television as a story editor and co-producer for the TV series Shameless.
Morisseau wrote the story for the musical Ain't Too Proud—The Life and Times of the Temptations. This musical tells the story of the famous music group, The Temptations. It opened on Broadway in 2019 and was her first play to be shown on Broadway. She was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for her work on this show.
Her Amazing Plays
The Detroit Project
Dominique Morisseau has written a special series of three plays called The Detroit Project. These plays explore important moments and themes in the history of her hometown, Detroit.
Detroit '67
This play is set during a difficult and important time in Detroit's history. It shows how characters deal with racial tension and money problems. Detroit '67 was recognized with the 2014 Edward M. Kennedy Prize for Drama, an award for plays inspired by American history.
Paradise Blue
In Paradise Blue, a former musician named Blue wants to sell his jazz club to follow his dreams. But he has to decide if he will leave behind his partner, Pumpkin, and his loyal jazz band. This play explores difficult choices and dreams.
Skeleton Crew
The last play in The Detroit Project is about a group of workers at an auto plant. They are worried about losing their jobs because the plant might close. Skeleton Crew shows their struggles and hopes. This play won an Obie Award in 2016 for its teamwork between Morisseau, the director, and the theater company. It also opened on Broadway in 2022 and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play.
Other Cool Plays
Dominique Morisseau has written many other plays that have been performed across the country. Here are some of them:
| Play | Year Premiered | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Follow Me To Nellie's | 2011 | This play premiered in New Jersey. |
| Sunset Baby | 2013 | This play premiered in New York City. |
| Night Vision | 2013 | This is a short, 10-minute play. |
| Blood At The Root | 2014 | This play premiered at Penn State University. |
| Pipeline | 2017 | This play premiered in New York City and won an award in 2016. |
| Mud Row | 2019 | This play premiered in Pennsylvania. |
| Confederates | 2022 | This play was asked for by two different theater companies. |
| Jazelle the Gazelle | unknown | This is a short, 10-minute play that was recorded live. |
| Third Grade | unknown | This is another short, 10-minute play. |
Awards and Recognition
Dominique Morisseau has received many important awards for her writing:
- MacArthur Fellowship (Genius Grant) (2018): This is a very special award that comes with a large amount of money. It is given to talented people in many fields.
- Jane Chambers Playwriting Award: This award celebrates plays written by women that show a feminist viewpoint and offer great roles for female actors.
- NAACP Image Award: She has won this award twice. It honors the achievements of people of color in the arts and those who work for social justice.
- Primus Prize (2012): Given by the American Theatre Critics Association for her play Follow Me to Nellie's.
- Stavis Playwriting Award
- University of Michigan: Emerging Leader Award
- City of Detroit: Spirit of Detroit Award
- Edward M. Kennedy Prize for Drama (2014): For her play Detroit '67.
- Steinberg Playwright Award (2015)
- OBIE Award (2016): For "Special Citation: Collaboration" for her work on Skeleton Crew with director Ruben Santiago-Hudson.
- Windham Campbell Literature Prize (2023): For drama.
