Peggy Pettitt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peggy Pettitt
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Pettitt, 2013.
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| Born | February 8, 1950 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
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| Years active | 1969–present |
| Known for | Billie Jean – Black Girl |
| Spouse(s) |
Rémy Tissier
(m. invalid year) |
Peggy Pettitt (born February 8, 1950) is an American actress, dancer, teacher, writer, and storyteller. She is well-known for playing Billie Jean in the 1972 family movie Black Girl. In this film, she acted with Brock Peters and Claudia McNeil. Peggy Pettitt was born in St. Louis, Missouri.
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Peggy Pettitt: Storyteller and Playwright
Peggy Pettitt is famous for her unique solo performances. These shows are based on African-American storytelling. She uses this style to play many different characters. These characters help show the rich history of African American men and women. They also tell "stories about important issues of our time."
Plays and Performances
Working with director Remy Tissier, Peggy has created over 10 full-length plays. Some of her plays include Women Preachers and Wild Steps.
One play, The Spirit Factor, came from her 2000-01 Fulbright Fellowship to Senegal. This play is based on the history and storytelling traditions of West Africa. Another play, Voyage, was shown at the Avignon Off Festival in 2010. This play explores American history through blues music and spiritual traditions. These traditions started in West Africa and traveled along the Mississippi River.
Peggy Pettitt has shown her work at festivals around the world. She has also received many awards and grants. These include grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. She is the founder of Pearls of Wisdom. This is a storytelling group for seniors in New York City. In 2007, she and Pearls of Wisdom were honored in City Lore's People's Hall of Fame.
Peggy Pettitt: Actress
In 1972, Peggy Pettitt starred in Black Girl. This was her first major film. She was nominated for Best Actress by the NAACP for her role. The movie Black Girl was written by J.E. Franklin and directed by Ossie Davis.
Another important role for Peggy was as Miss Lindsey in Mule Bone. This play was a historical comedy by Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes. It was performed at Lincoln Center.
Peggy Pettitt: Teacher
Peggy Pettitt has a lot of experience teaching directing and storytelling workshops. She teaches people how to create, write, and perform their own stories. She works with many groups to help them share their unique stories. These stories can be presented as theater or storytelling performances.
She also works with drama therapists, social workers, and teachers in public schools. Peggy has taught at many schools and places in the U.S. and other countries. Her teaching includes working in homeless shelters, prisons, and hospitals. She also works with people who have emotional or physical disabilities. Currently, she teaches at New York University's Experimental Theatre Wing.
Biography
In 1974, Peggy Pettitt earned a college degree from Antioch College. After that, she moved to London on a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship. Today, Peggy lives in New York City. Since 1982, she has been married to Rémy Tissier, who is a writer, director, and painter.
Awards and Honors
- 2008: Story gatherer for "Another River Flows," which won the Pennsylvania Human Relation Award.
- 2010: Her play Voyage was shown at the Avignon, France Off Festival.
- Nominated for an NAACP Image Award for her role in Black Girl.
- 2007: Ms. Pettitt and the Pearls of Wisdom were added to New York City Lore's People's Hall of Fame.
- Received New York City's Arts In Education Roundtable Award for her long work in theater.
- Honored by several senior centers for her "Commitment to the art of storytelling that transforms lives and communities."
- 2011: Received the Shining Star Award from Performance Space 122 founders.
In Books
Peggy Pettitt's work and life have been featured in several books:
- Out of Character, by Mark Russell, 1997
- Performing Democracy, by Susan Chandler Haedicke, 2004
- Mapping Memories, by Pam Schweitzer, 2004
- Local Acts, An International Anthology, by Jan Cohen Cruz, 2005
- Ensemble Works, An Anthology, by Ferdinand Lewis, 2005
- Reminiscence Theatre: Making Theatre from Memory, by Pam Schweitzer, 2007
- Forget Memory: Creating Better Lives For People With Dementia, by Ann Basting, 2009.
