Woodie King Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Woodie King Jr.
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![]() King at the 74th Tony Awards in 2021
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Born | Baldwin Springs, Alabama, U.S.
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July 27, 1937
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Occupation | Director, producer |
Woodie King Jr. (born July 27, 1937) is a famous American director and producer. He has worked on many plays and movies. He is also known for starting the New Federal Theatre in New York City. This theater helps tell important stories, especially those from Black artists.
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Early Life and Education
Woodie King Jr. was born in Baldwin Springs, Alabama, in the United States. He finished high school in 1956 in Detroit, Michigan. After high school, he worked at the Ford Motor Company for three years. Then, he worked for the City of Detroit as a draftsman, which means he drew plans for buildings or machines.
In 1970, he started the New Federal Theatre. He went back to college later in life. He earned a bachelor's degree in 1996 from Lehman College. He focused on Theatre and Black Studies. Then, he earned a master's degree in 1999 from Brooklyn College.
Woodie King Jr.'s Work
Woodie King Jr. has directed and produced many films, TV shows, and plays. He has a long and impressive list of projects.
Film and Television Projects
Woodie King Jr. has worked on several films and television shows. He has been a performer in some, and a director in others.
- In 1967, he performed in the film Sweet Love, Bitter.
- He also performed in Together for Days in 1972 and Serpico in 1973.
- In 1976, he directed his first film, The Long Night.
- Later, he appeared in big movies like Men in Black 3 (2012) and Staten Island Summer (2015).
- For television, he directed TV films like Death of a Prophet (1981) and Love to all, Lorraine (1983).
- He also appeared in popular TV shows such as Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU.
Theatre Productions
Woodie King Jr. is especially known for his work in theatre. He has directed many plays at different theaters across the country.
- In 1976, he directed Sizwe Banzi Is Dead at the Pittsburgh Public Theater.
- He directed Checkmates several times, including on Broadway in 1988.
- He directed Joe Turner's Come and Gone by August Wilson in 1990 and again in 1996–1997.
- In 1994, he directed A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry in Atlanta, Georgia.
- He also directed Angels in America in 1998–1999.
- In 2000, he directed James Baldwin: A Soul on Fire in New York.
- More recently, in 2012, he directed The Piano Lesson.
Plays He Helped Produce
Woodie King Jr. also helped produce several important plays.
- He co-produced For Colored Girls Who Have Considered ... / When the Rainbow Is Enuf by Ntozake Shange. This play was very important and won awards.
- He also helped produce What the Wine Sellers Buy and Reggae.
- Another play he co-produced was The Taking of Miss Janie by Ed Bullins. This play won the Drama Critics Circle Award.
Awards and Special Recognition
Woodie King Jr. has received many awards for his amazing work in theatre and film.
- In 1988, he won an NAACP Image Award for directing Checkmates.
- He received AUDELCO awards in 1993 for Best Director and Best Play.
- In 1997, he earned an Obie Award for his long-lasting achievements in theatre.
- He was given the Paul Robeson Award in 2003.
- In 2011, he was honored by being inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame. This is a very special award for people who have made a big impact on American theatre.
- In 2020, he received Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre. This shows how much his work is valued in the world of theatre.