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 - short run

It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! | American Blues Theater

Joseph Jefferson Award nomination for Production - midsize

It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! | American Blues Theater

Joseph Jefferson Award Award for Production - midsize

Fences | American Blues Theater

Joseph Jefferson Award nomination for Solo Performance,

performed by Jim Ortlieb

Stand Up If You're Here Tonight | American Blues Theater

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 Award 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