Page to Stage

Today’s news has me overflowing with joy. Thrilled to share that my mom and I are working with The Kennedy Center to adapt Going Down Home with Daddy for the stage!

I grew up as a theater kid. My mom took my brother Kevin and me to Pittsburgh Playhouse Junior to see fairytale classics come to life. We beamed as Mom performed in Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera and Kuntu Repertory Theater productions. At Kuntu, she played characters like Sister Boxer in Amen Corner and went with Dr. Vernell Lillie and her cast of actors and actresses to Scotland’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Mom wrote original plays for the Pittsburgh community too.

Now, she and I are creating a play together based on my picture book with the amazing Daniel Minter and published by Peachtree. Such a dream come true.

I danced around the house when I received the contract. I was a teen when I learned about August Wilson and Lorraine Hansberry. They remain two of my heroes. To think that now I’ll be a playwright too. Amazing!

Thankful to The Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences team, my agent Caryn, and to my mom, Kwame Alexander, Jacqueline Woodson and Jason Reynolds who paved the way.

Got lots of advice and support from friends on this journey. You know who you are. Appreciate you and am excited about your gems in the world and on the way.