Douglas Turner Ward
Encyclopedia
Douglas Turner Ward is an American
playwright
, actor
, director and theatrical producer
best known as a founder and artistic director of the Negro Ensemble Company (NEC)
.
. In 1967, he was one of the founders of the Negro Ensemble Company
and served for many years as its artistic director.
As an actor, he made his Broadway
debut in a small role in A Raisin in the Sun
. However, his first significant artistic achievement would be as a playwright. Happy Ending/Day of Absence, a program of two one-act plays premiered at the St. Mark's Playhouse in Manhattan on November 15, 1965 and ran for 504 performances. Ward received a Drama Desk Award
for his playwrighting.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
playwright
Playwright
A playwright, also called a dramatist, is a person who writes plays.The term is not a variant spelling of "playwrite", but something quite distinct: the word wright is an archaic English term for a craftsman or builder...
, actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, director and theatrical producer
Theatrical producer
A theatrical producer is the person ultimately responsible for overseeing all aspects of mounting a theatre production. The independent producer will usually be the originator and finder of the script and starts the whole process...
best known as a founder and artistic director of the Negro Ensemble Company (NEC)
Negro Ensemble Company
The Negro Ensemble Company is a New York City-based theater company. Established in 1967 by playwright Douglas Turner Ward, producer/actor Robert Hooks, and theater manager Gerald S...
.
Biography
Turner was born in Burnside, LouisianaBurnside, Louisiana
Burnside, Louisiana is an unincorporated community in Ascension Parish, Louisiana. It was founded by French and German settlers in 1726. It is the location of three places listed on the National Register of Historic Places: The Houmas, St. Joseph's School, and Tezcuco....
. In 1967, he was one of the founders of the Negro Ensemble Company
Negro Ensemble Company
The Negro Ensemble Company is a New York City-based theater company. Established in 1967 by playwright Douglas Turner Ward, producer/actor Robert Hooks, and theater manager Gerald S...
and served for many years as its artistic director.
As an actor, he made his Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
debut in a small role in A Raisin in the Sun
A Raisin in the Sun
A Raisin in the Sun is a play by Lorraine Hansberry that debuted on Broadway in 1959. The title comes from the poem "Harlem" by Langston Hughes...
. However, his first significant artistic achievement would be as a playwright. Happy Ending/Day of Absence, a program of two one-act plays premiered at the St. Mark's Playhouse in Manhattan on November 15, 1965 and ran for 504 performances. Ward received a Drama Desk Award
Drama Desk Award
The Drama Desk Awards, which are given annually in a number of categories, are the only major New York theater honors for which productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway compete against each other in the same category...
for his playwrighting.
Directing
| Year | Production | Theatre(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | A Soldier's Play | Lucille Lortel Theatre Lucille Lortel Theatre The Lucille Lortel Theatre is an off-Broadway playhouse located at 121 Christopher Street in New York City's Greenwich Village.The venue was built in 1926 as a 590-seat movie theater called the New Hudson, later known as Hudson Playhouse... |
Drama Desk Award Drama Desk Award The Drama Desk Awards, which are given annually in a number of categories, are the only major New York theater honors for which productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway compete against each other in the same category... nomination |
| 1980 | Zooman and the Sign | Theatre Four | |
| 1979 | Home | St. Mark's Playhouse | |
| 1975 | The First Breeze of Summer | St. Mark's Playhouse | |
| 1972 | The River Niger | St. Mark's Playhouse | |
| 1970 | Day of Absence | St. Mark's Playhouse | Part of a program of two one-act plays with Brotherhood. |
| Brotherhood | St. Mark's Playhouse | Part of a program of two one-act plays with Day of Absence. | |
| 1968 | Daddy Goodness | St. Mark's Playhouse |
Writing
| Year | Production | Theatre(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | The Redeemer | Theatre Four | Part of a program of three one-act plays, entitled About Heaven and Earth. |
| 1970 | Day of Absence | St. Mark's Playhouse | Part of a program of two one-act plays with Brotherhood. |
| Brotherhood | St. Mark's Playhouse | Part of a program of two one-act plays with Day of Absence. | |
| 1969 | The Reckoning | St. Mark's Playhouse | |
| 1965 | Day of Absence | St. Mark's Playhouse | Part of a program of two one-act plays with Happy Ending. |
| Happy Ending | St. Mark's Playhouse | Part of a program of two one-act plays with Day of Absence. |
Acting
| Year | Production | Role | Theatre(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Tigus | Tigus | Theatre Four | Part of a program of three one-act plays, entitled About Heaven and Earth. |
| 1975 | The First Breeze of Summer | Harper Edwards | St. Mark's Playhouse | |
| 1972 | The River Niger The River Niger The River Niger is a play by American playwright, Joseph A. Walker, first performed by New York City's Negro Ensemble Company off-Broadway in 1972. The production made its Broadway debut with a transfer to the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on 27 March 1973 for a run of 162 performances.-Characters :*... |
Johnny Williams | St. Mark's Playhouse Brooks Atkinson Theatre Brooks Atkinson Theatre The Brooks Atkinson Theatre is a Broadway theater located at 256 West 47th Street in Manhattan.Designed by architect Herbert J. Krapp, it was constructed as the Mansfield Theatre by the Chanin brothers in 1926. After 1933, the theatre fell into relative disuse until 1945, when Michael Myerberg... |
Obie Award Obie Award The Obie Awards or Off-Broadway Theater Awards are annual awards given by The Village Voice newspaper to theatre artists and groups in New York City... , Distinguished Performance Tony Award Tony Award The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway... nomination, Best Featured Actor in a Play |
| 1969 | Ceremonies in Dark Old Men | Mr. Russell B. Parker | St. Mark's Playhouse | Drama Desk Award Drama Desk Award The Drama Desk Awards, which are given annually in a number of categories, are the only major New York theater honors for which productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway compete against each other in the same category... , Outstanding Performance |
| 1959 | A Raisin in the Sun A Raisin in the Sun A Raisin in the Sun is a play by Lorraine Hansberry that debuted on Broadway in 1959. The title comes from the poem "Harlem" by Langston Hughes... |
Moving Man Bobo (understudy) Walter Lee Younger (understudy) |
Ethel Barrymore Theatre Ethel Barrymore Theatre The Ethel Barrymore Theatre is a legitimate Broadway theatre located at 243 West 47th Street in midtown-Manhattan, named for actress Ethel Barrymore.... Belasco Theatre Belasco Theatre The Belasco Theatre is a legitimate Broadway theatre located at 111 West 44th Street in midtown-Manhattan.-History:Designed by architect George Keister for impresario David Belasco, the interior featured Tiffany lighting and ceiling panels, rich woodwork and expansive murals by American artist... |
Awards and nominations
- 1966 Drama Desk AwardDrama Desk AwardThe Drama Desk Awards, which are given annually in a number of categories, are the only major New York theater honors for which productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway compete against each other in the same category...
for Happy Ending and Day of Absence - 1968 Drama Desk AwardDrama Desk AwardThe Drama Desk Awards, which are given annually in a number of categories, are the only major New York theater honors for which productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway compete against each other in the same category...
(with Robert HooksRobert HooksRobert Hooks is an American actor of films, television and stage. With a career as a producer and political activist to his credit, he is most recognizable to the public for his over 100 roles in films and television, as well as his political and civil rights activities...
and Gerald S. Krone, Negro Ensemble CompanyNegro Ensemble CompanyThe Negro Ensemble Company is a New York City-based theater company. Established in 1967 by playwright Douglas Turner Ward, producer/actor Robert Hooks, and theater manager Gerald S...
) - 1969 Drama Desk AwardDrama Desk AwardThe Drama Desk Awards, which are given annually in a number of categories, are the only major New York theater honors for which productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway compete against each other in the same category...
(Outstanding Performance) for Ceremonies in Dark Old Men - 1969 Tony AwardTony AwardThe Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
Special Award (with Robert HooksRobert HooksRobert Hooks is an American actor of films, television and stage. With a career as a producer and political activist to his credit, he is most recognizable to the public for his over 100 roles in films and television, as well as his political and civil rights activities...
and Gerald S. Krone, Negro Ensemble CompanyNegro Ensemble CompanyThe Negro Ensemble Company is a New York City-based theater company. Established in 1967 by playwright Douglas Turner Ward, producer/actor Robert Hooks, and theater manager Gerald S...
) - 1974 Tony AwardTony AwardThe Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
, Best Play (with Robert HooksRobert HooksRobert Hooks is an American actor of films, television and stage. With a career as a producer and political activist to his credit, he is most recognizable to the public for his over 100 roles in films and television, as well as his political and civil rights activities...
and Gerald S. Krone, Negro Ensemble CompanyNegro Ensemble CompanyThe Negro Ensemble Company is a New York City-based theater company. Established in 1967 by playwright Douglas Turner Ward, producer/actor Robert Hooks, and theater manager Gerald S...
) for The River Niger - 1974 Tony AwardTony AwardThe Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
nomination, Best Featured Actor in a Play for The River Niger - 1976 Tony AwardTony AwardThe Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
nomination, Best Play (with Robert HooksRobert HooksRobert Hooks is an American actor of films, television and stage. With a career as a producer and political activist to his credit, he is most recognizable to the public for his over 100 roles in films and television, as well as his political and civil rights activities...
and Gerald S. Krone, Negro Ensemble CompanyNegro Ensemble CompanyThe Negro Ensemble Company is a New York City-based theater company. Established in 1967 by playwright Douglas Turner Ward, producer/actor Robert Hooks, and theater manager Gerald S...
) for The First Breeze of Summer - 1979 Drama Desk AwardDrama Desk AwardThe Drama Desk Awards, which are given annually in a number of categories, are the only major New York theater honors for which productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway compete against each other in the same category...
nomination, Outstanding New Play (with Robert HooksRobert HooksRobert Hooks is an American actor of films, television and stage. With a career as a producer and political activist to his credit, he is most recognizable to the public for his over 100 roles in films and television, as well as his political and civil rights activities...
and Gerald S. Krone, Negro Ensemble CompanyNegro Ensemble CompanyThe Negro Ensemble Company is a New York City-based theater company. Established in 1967 by playwright Douglas Turner Ward, producer/actor Robert Hooks, and theater manager Gerald S...
) for Nevis Mountain DewNevis Mountain DewNevis Mountain Dew is a 1978 play by American playwright steve carter . Set in the 1950s, it is the second of Carter's Caribbean trilogy. Nevis Mountain Dew explores the subject of euthanasia involving the patriarch of an affluent family who is confined to an iron lung.-Characters:Jared Philibert:... - 1982 Drama Desk AwardDrama Desk AwardThe Drama Desk Awards, which are given annually in a number of categories, are the only major New York theater honors for which productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway compete against each other in the same category...
nomination, Outstanding New Play (with Robert HooksRobert HooksRobert Hooks is an American actor of films, television and stage. With a career as a producer and political activist to his credit, he is most recognizable to the public for his over 100 roles in films and television, as well as his political and civil rights activities...
and Gerald S. Krone, Negro Ensemble CompanyNegro Ensemble CompanyThe Negro Ensemble Company is a New York City-based theater company. Established in 1967 by playwright Douglas Turner Ward, producer/actor Robert Hooks, and theater manager Gerald S...
) for A Soldier's PlayA Soldier's PlayA Soldier's Play is a drama by Charles Fuller. The play uses a murder mystery to explore the complicated feelings of anger and resentment that some African Americans have toward one another, and the ways in which many black Americans have absorbed white racist attitudes.This play is loosely based... - 1982 Drama Desk AwardDrama Desk AwardThe Drama Desk Awards, which are given annually in a number of categories, are the only major New York theater honors for which productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway compete against each other in the same category...
nomination, Outstanding Director of a Play for A Soldier's PlayA Soldier's PlayA Soldier's Play is a drama by Charles Fuller. The play uses a murder mystery to explore the complicated feelings of anger and resentment that some African Americans have toward one another, and the ways in which many black Americans have absorbed white racist attitudes.This play is loosely based...