Gwendolyn Whiteside
Awards
The following honors have been received for her work in theatre, performance, scholarship, and literary arts.
Executive Artistic Director
National Theatre Company Award
American Theatre Wing
Joseph Jefferson Award nomination for Production - midsize
On Clover Road | American Blues Theater
Joseph Jefferson Award for Solo Performance,
performed by Joe Foust
The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey | American Blues Theater
Joseph Jefferson Award for Musical - midsize
Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story | American Blues Theater
Joseph Jefferson Award for Solo Performance,
performed by James Leaming
This Wonderful Life | American Blues Theater
Joseph Jefferson Award nomination for Production - midsize
It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! | American Blues Theater
African American Arts Alliance of Chicago Award nomination for Solo Performance,
performed by Wandachristine
Beauty's Daughter | American Blues Theater
Joseph Jefferson Award nomination for Production - midsize
The Columnist | American Blues Theater
Joseph Jefferson Award nomination for Musical - midsize
Little Shop of Horrors | American Blues Theater
Joseph Jefferson Award nomination for Solo Performance,
performed by Manny Buckley
Looking Over the President's Shoulder | American Blues Theater
African American Arts Alliance of Chicago Award nomination for Solo Performance,
performed by Manny Buckley
Looking Over the President's Shoulder | American Blues Theater
Joseph Jefferson Award nomination for Production - large
Native Son | American Blues Theater, in co-production with Court Theatre
Joseph Jefferson Award nomination for Adaptation,
adapted by Nambi E. Kelley
Native Son | American Blues Theater (original commission)
Joseph Jefferson Award for Musical - midsize
Hank Williams: Lost Highway | American Blues Theater
Joseph Jefferson Award for Solo Performance,
performed by Gwendolyn Whiteside
Grounded | American Blues Theater
Broadway World Chicago Award nomination for Best Musical (2014)
Hank Williams: Lost Highway | American Blues Theater
Broadway World Chicago Award nomination for Best Musical (2013)
Hank Williams: Lost Highway | American Blues Theater
Joseph Jefferson Award nomination for Production - midsize
Collected Stories | American Blues Theater
Broadway World Chicago Award nomination for Best Revival of a Play
Collected Stories | American Blues Theater
Joseph Jefferson Award nomination for Production - midsize
Tobacco Road | American Blues Theater

Acting Honors
Joseph Jefferson Award for Solo Performance
Grounded | American Blues Theater
Broadway World Chicago Award nomination for Best Actress
Grounded | American Blues Theater
Broadway World Chicago Award for Best Actress
Collected Stories | American Blues Theater
Joseph Jefferson Award nomination for Solo Performance
the k of d: an urban legend | American Blues Theater
Joseph Jefferson Award nomination for Supporting Actress in a Play
St. Scarlet | American Blues Theater
Joseph Jefferson nomination for Ensemble
Metamorphoses | Lookingglass Theatre Company
Joseph Jefferson Award nomination for Ensemble
Dream Boy | About Face Theatre
After Dark Award for Best Production
Dream Boy | About Face Theatre
After Dark Award for Best Ensemble
Bus Stop | American Blues Theater (aka American Theatre Co.)
Academy Award Finalist for Live Action Short
Big Canyon
Chicago International Film Festival - Silver Plaque Jury Prize
Big Canyon
Chicago International Film Festival - Best Short
Big Canyon
IFP Conference Spotlight Short
Big Canyon
Other Honors
Kellogg Scholar, Non-profit Management
Kellogg School of Management | Northwestern University
Master of Fine Arts
Creative Writing | School of the Art Institute of Chicago
SAIC Excellence in Leadership Award: "Service, Advocacy, Innovation, Community"
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Bachelor of Science, cum laude
Theatre | Northwestern University
photo by Johnny Knight