Laurence Holder

Laurence Holder is an American playwright, poet, and director who focuses on the African-American experience. His plays often center historical African-American figures including Malcolm X, Elijah Muhammad, Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Zora Neale Hurston. He is a 1998–1999 Otto Rene Castillo award recipient for political theatre. Holder's work has been performed at the Henry Street Settlement New Federal Theatre, the Ford Theatre, the American Place Theatre, and more. His work has been reviewed by The New York Times and the Washington Post among others. In addition to being a playwright, Holder teaches English at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.[1]

Education

Holder attended the City College of New York from which he received a bachelor's degree in geology and creative writing.[1]

Plays

When the Chickens Come Home to Roost

Performed at the New Federal Theatre and featured Denzel Washington as Malcolm X and Kirk Kirksey as Elijah Muhammad.

Zora Neale Hurston

Off-Broadway play about the early 20th century writer starring Elizabeth Van Dyke and Tim Johnson and directed by Wynn Handiman. Shown at the American Place Theatre on West 46th Street in Manhattan.[2]

Their Eyes Were Watching God

Off-Broadway play adapted from Zora Neale Hurston's novel Their Eyes Were Watching God; directed by Marishka S. Phillips and starring Lauren Marissa Smith. Held at the WOW Café Theatre in New York.

Monk

Off-Broadway one-man show starring Rome Neal as Thelonious Monk performed at the Nuyorican Poets Café. Directed by Holder and Neal. Assistant director, Jennifer Cummings. Lighting by Neal. Executive producer, Miguel Algarín. Production stage manager and sound by Triple-5 (William J. Vila). Jechibea Adu-Peasah on set design. This play has been reviewed by The New York Amsterdam News.[3]

MonknBud

A play depicting the relationship between the American jazz musicians Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell.[1]

Awards
  • 1998–1999 Otto Rene Castillo Award for Political Theatre
  • Garland Anderson Award from the National Black Arts Festival
  • New York Foundation Grant
  • AUDELCO Best Writer Award for "M: The Mandela Saga"[4]
  • AUDELCO Award for drama Off and Off Off Broadway presented at CCNY's Aaron Davis Hall (1981) for "When the Chickens Come Home to Roost"
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References
  1. Hill, Anthony D.; Barnett, Douglas Q. (December 4, 2008). Historical Dictionary of African American Theater. Volume 31 of Historical Dictionaries of Literature and the Arts. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9780810862760.
  2. "Theatre". New York Media, LLC. New York Magazine. December 18, 1989. p. 124. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  3. Weber, Bruce (February 7, 2000). "A portrait in words for a wordless artist". New York Times. Gale OneFile: News. p. E5. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  4. Gerald Fraser, C. (Nov 17, 1981). "15 Receive 9th Audelco Stage Awards: Husband-Wife Hosts Tie for Writing". New York Times. ProQuest 121647645.
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