Anyanwu’s play follows the story of “Nkechi,” or “N” a first generation Nigerian girl, and her misadventures of first love, loss, and the people, including her childhood best friend, her brother the ghetto philosopher, and her Nigerian immigrated parents who “try and help her get over it, around it and through it.” Good Grief is Anyanwu’s first play, which she started writing while still a student at the University of California-San Diego. In a recent statement she said, “I’m excited for the support that an institution can bring, and I’m interested in seeing what that means for the play.”

Anyanwu is an actress, writer, and producer who received an MFA in acting from the University of California-San Diego. She is the founder of the 1st Generation Nigerian Project, where she served as artistic director. Anyanwu is currently the co-artistic director of NOW AFRICA’s Playwrights Festival and a recipient of the Djerassi Artist Residency. She’s also served as a production assistant for the National Black Theatre production of Dead and Breathing.

As part of the prize, Good Grief also will be developed by CTG’s literary staff and presented in staged readings at the Humanitas Play Fest, Celebrating Southern California Playwrights that will run February 12–14.

The second place prize was awarded to Dan O’Brien and third place was Louisa Hill who both received $2,000. O’Brien was recognized for his play, The House in Scarsdale and Hill received the award for her play, Lord of the Underworld’s Home for Unwed Mothers.

The winner and two runners-up will also be announced at the annual Humanitas Prize ceremony on Thursday, February 11, 2016, at the Directors Guild.

The post Ngozi Anyanwu Wins Inaugural Humanitas CTG Playwriting Prize appeared first on Broadway Black.

These are just a few of the artists that continue to create and imagine a modern, growing, complicated Africa. An Africa that is so dynamic it seeps beyond continental boundary. Of course, like any artistic movement, this African movement also includes the dramatic arts. That is the reason for creating the NOW AFRICA: Playwrights Festival. From their website:

NOW AFRICA: Playwrights Festival is a reading series, conceptualized by playwright Mfoniso Udofia and developed/produced with Chinyere Anyanwu, Ngozi Anyanwu, Erin Cherry and Bashir Solebo. This team will reintroduce New York City to the masters of African Dramatic Literature. These master playwrights include: Ama Ata Aidoo, Tawfiq al Hakim, Wole Soyinka and Ngugi wa Thiong’o. This festival will also introduce New York City to the incoming classes of contemporary African playwrights. Together we will build a home base for the African dramatic artist. All identifying playwrights, authors, performers, historians etc. can and will meet here to view and discuss contemporary African art and build/sharpen skills for continued creation.

This year, the NOW AFRICA: Playwrights Festival, will be held in New York in September 2015. The event will be hosted by the Center for Art & Public Policy, The Institute of Performing Arts at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, and Anna Deavere Smith’s Institute on the Arts and Civic Dialogue. Artists such as, Wole Soyinka, Ngugi wa Thiong’o and others will be featured in multiple events to engage both NYU and the greater NYC theater community.

As more information about the event becomes available, Broadway Black will be sure to keep you informed. In the meantime, the non-profit organization is accepting donations on their website for the festival here. Be sure to check them out on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date!

The post NOW AFRICA: Playwrights Festival Comes To NYC appeared first on Broadway Black.