Actor, Director, Founder and Producing Artistic Director

 

Zuhairah - Originally hails from New York, NY. She is the Producing Artistic Director of First World Theatre Ensemble. She trained and study under Ossie Davis, Barbara Ann Teer, Uta Hagen, H. German Wilson, and Deen Kogan. She has worked with Woodie King Jr. Coleman Domingo, Steve Broadnax III, Deb Braak, James Ijames, Rome Neal, Miki Howard, Billy Paul, Jean Carne. Johnnie Hobbs Jr, Penelope Reed, Richard Lamonte Pierce, Jamie J Brunson, Glenn Alan, Ed Smith, Ozzie Jones.  Under Zuhairah’s direction First World has produce over 25 plays, one poetry slam, established the H. German Wilson Griot Awards, to recognize unsung heroes in our community who has pass on the history and traditions of African-American people through service to the community.  She was the Director for The Prince Music Theatre for at-risk youth in which she trained and directed over 40 at risk kids in theatre, music and dance putting on a production each year.

 

She’s taught playwriting for Point Breeze Performing Arts, Philadelphia Young Playwrights, and Village of Arts and Humanities where she and her mentor H. German Wilson took over 50 kids to New Mexico to perform and teach the power of the arts and how it can heal.  She’s worked with the Philadelphia Mayor’s Office and renowned author, Lorene Cary as part of Philadelphia’s One Book/One Philadelphia, leaving no child left behind in Philadelphia’s literacy program.  Worked with The House of Umoja helping to save African American boys from the system and helping them to become productive young men in society.  She’s performed for the National Black Writers Festival, in honor of Chinua Achebe.  She sat on the panel for “A Conversation of August Wilson’s Works” Art Sanctuary.  She was the director and producer for “’The C Delores Tucker’s Martin Luther King Non-Violence Award Ceremony”, where she had the honor to work with Cicely Tyson, Joe Frazier and Jackie Frazier, producing the show for 2 years. She was the host for the Nice town CDC Giveback festival featuring “Jean Carne and Mikki Howard.  She is a board member of the DC Black Theatre Festival and CEC. Zuhairah is a Director for First Person Arts Festival where she does work that affects the LBGTQ community, African American Males and Females, Women in transition, and The National Jewish Museum of American History.

 

Some of her theater credits include - Arden Theatre (Gem of the Ocean), People’s Light Theatre (DOT), Arena Stage (Sojourner/ Sojourner Truth),  DC Black Theatre Festival (For Color Girls, Sojourner), Schapiro Theatre (‘Leaving to be Left’/Charity Brooks), The Match Theatre (‘Say That He Had More Than A Dream’/ Correta Scott King),  New Federal Theatre (‘Gutta Beautiful’ / Mama Say, ‘Most Dangerous Man…WEB Dubious’ / Evelyn), Robert Moss Theatre (‘Wallop’/ Suzy), Allen’s Lane Theater (‘Zooman and The Sign’ / Ash Boswell, ‘Tamer of Horses’ / Georgiane,  ‘Best of Enemies’ / Ann Atwater), Plays & Player Theatre (‘Marcus and the Secret of Sweet’ / Elega), Wilmington Theatre (‘Fences’ / Rose Maxson) , Pulse Ensemble Theatre (‘Tell Martha not to Moan’ / Martha), Hedgerow Theatre (‘Funny Money’ / Jean Perkins, ‘Black Girl’ / Mama, ‘Sojourner’ / Sojourner Truth)   National Black Theatre, (‘Wade in the Water: A Katrina Drama’/ Narrator) First World Theatre Ensemble, (‘Night Mother’/ Thelma Cates, ‘Before it Hits Home’/ Reba Bailey), Nuyorican Poets Café (‘Julius Caesar Set in Africa’/ Portia), New Freedom Theatre (‘Trick the Devil’/ Georgia), Theatre of Seventh Sister (‘Blues for an Alabama Sky’/ Angel),  Bushfire Theatre ( ‘Bourbon at the Border’ / Rosa, ‘Deep Roots’ / Regina),  Forge Theater (‘A Piece of my Heart’ / Steele),  Kaged Tiger Productions (‘The River Niger’ / Mattie), The Drama Group (‘Trouble in Mind’ / Willeta), Westside Arts Theatre (‘Sister Sonja’ / Sister Sonja), South Camden Theatre (‘Indoor Picnic’ / Flossie), Brian Spuk Theatre (‘All my Sons’/ Kate Keller) She’s also appeared in several Commercials, National Tours and films.

 

Awards:

Legacy Trailblazer Award in Theater

Three - Time winner of The DC Excellence in Black Theatre Award

Two - Time Barrymore Nomination for Outstanding Leading Actress in a Play for her one-woman performance in “Sojourner” and “Gem of the Ocean” as Aunt Ester

Barrymore Winner for Outstanding Ensemble “Gem of the Ocean”

The Black Arts for Social Change Award

The Most Distinguished Director Award

The 2015 Image Award

 

Film: Pamela and Marion

          Kill the Monster

          Book of Ezekiel just to name a few.

 

Upcoming projects: “Race to the Stage” Documentary film (Director),

 

TV Pilot “Crossroads”, “The Burden” Feature film - Hands Up Film Company