Nambi E. Kelley

Nambi E. Kelley has penned plays for Steppenwolf Theatre, Goodman Theatre and Court Theatre/American Blues Theater in Chicago, Lincoln Center in New York, and internationally with LATT Children’s Theatre/Unibooks Publishing Company (South Korea), Teatri Sbagliati (Italy) and The Finger Players (Singapore), where she also performed in the co-adapted production in Singapore of The Book of Living and Dying. Most recently, Kelley was named playwright in residence at the National Black Theatre in New York, was a finalist for the Francesca Primus Award, The Kevin Spacey Foundation Award, and is working on an adaptation of Toni Morrison’s Jazz to be produced by Center Stage in their 2016-17 season.

Her adaptation of Native Son will have several productions across the country next season. The world premiere of Native Son was presented to critical acclaim at Court Theatre with American Blues Theatre (co-production), was nominated for 5 Jeff Awards, including best adaptation and production of the year, and was the highest-grossing production in Court Theatre's 60-year history. Native Son is also on the Kilroy's List 2015, in the top 7% of new plays by female and trans* authors nominated by literary managers, directors and other artists polled across the country.

Kelley’s Xtigone celebrated productions in Chicago (Chicago Danz Theatre Ensemble) and San Francisco (African American Shakespeare Company directed by Rhodessa Jones), with several high school and college productions across the country, and was just published by YouthPlays Publishing.

Other writing credits include: Shortlisted professional writing affiliations include: National Black Theatre Playwright in Residence, Goodman Theatre Playwrights Unit, Steppenwolf Theatre Company New Plays Lab Playwright-In-Residence, Goodman Theatre/Ellen Stone Belic Institute/ Fellowship Recipient, Goodman Theatre Lila Wallace Fellowship, La MaMa Playwrights Symposium Playwright-In-Residence, Spoleto, Italy, under the tutelage of Pulitzer prize winner Lynn Nottage, Ragdale Foundation Artist in Residence, HealthWorks Theatre Colonel Stanley McNeil Playwright-In-Residence, Chicago Dramatists Playwright Emeritus, Danny Glover’s Robey Theatre Co. Playwriting Lab (Formerly The Blacksmyths At The Mark Taper Forum) and MPAACT Playwright Emeritus, Chicago.

An accomplished actress, Kelley has performed on regional stages across the country, internationally, and has been seen on several television shows, including Search Party (TBS), Person of Interest (CBS), Madam Secretary (CBS), Elementary (CBS) and Chicago PD (NBC). Nambi has a B.F.A. from The Theatre School at DePaul University, and an M.F.A. in interdisciplinary arts from Goddard College. www.nambikelley.com