Richarda Abrams* an award-winning actress/singer/playwright. Richarda began developing First By Faith: The Life Of Mary McLeod Bethune in 2012 at New Federal Theatre’s Playwright’s Workshop, League of Professional Theatre Women’s Julia’s Reading Room, and the Actors Studio, my artistic home. Thank you to everyone who contributed to my growth as an artist/playwright. I dedicate my performances to my father, the late Dr. Muhal Richard Abrams (pianist, composer), who with my mother, Peggy, encouraged me on this journey. These two wonderful human beings along with my dear grandmother, the late Bernyce Clark, remain the pillars that form my very foundation. I share that in common with Mary McLeod Bethune, her family formed who she became, and as Mary lived her life First By Faith, so am I embarking on this journey and carrying it through to completion.

Richarda won the 2019 AUDELCO VIV AWARD for Solo Performance of the Year and is a three-time AUDELCO Viv Award Winner for Excellence in Black Theatre. First By Faith: The Life Of Mary McLeod Bethune was named the 2019 Best Of Solo Theatre in the last 10 years by United Solo Theatre Festival. Richarda won the 2018 United Solo Theatre Festival's: Best Educational Show Award for First By Faith: The Life Of Mary McLeod Bethune and she received the Al Jolson Award for Academic Excellence at her alma mater New York University, Tisch School of the Arts. Credits include: FIRST BY FAITH: THE LIFE OF MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE (2019 National Black Theatre Festival (SOLDOUT), 2019 & 2018 United Solo Theatre Festival (SOLDOUT), West End Theatre, 14th Street Y - Women’s History Solo Show Series, and Theatre 167-Wet Ink Festival), GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER (Ivoryton Playhouse), 365 DAYS/365 PLAYS FINALE (Public Theatre), CONTRIBUTION (2nd Stage), LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT director Estelle Parsons (LaMaMa), ASCENSION (NY Fringe Festival) (Cherry Lane), FEAR ITSELF (Crossroads Theatre Co.), VAGINA MONOLOGUES (HERE), Yara Arts Group’s BLIND SIGHT (UKRAINE), INSURRECTION/BOOTY CANDY director Robert O’Hara, THE COST director Barbara Montgomery (LaMaMa), Erik Ehn’s CLOVER (LaMaMa), HOMELESS AND HOW WE GOT THAT WAY by Dan McCormick. SHERRI (LIFETIME), OREO’s WITH ATTITUDE (SHOWTIME), COSBY (CBS), NOISES IN THE DARK (SESAME ST.) & THE RIVERSIDE BENCH. CD SONG FOR ALL written with her father the late pianist, composer, visionary, Dr. Muhal Richard Abrams, co-founder of the Association For The Advancement of Creative Musicians. Muhal Richard Abrams’ Ensemble at Roulette NYC. Amina Claudine Myers’ Voice Ensemble USA & SONS D'HIVER (FRANCE), Amina Claudine Myers Generation IV -gospel group (2019 AACM, 2019 Bric Winter Jazz Festival and tours). Memberships include: Dramatists Guild, AEA, SAG- AFTRA, The Actors Studio, Association For The Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM), League of Professional Theatre Women and New York Women In Film and Television.

Richarda received a B.F.A. with Honors in acting from New York University, Tisch School of the Arts and received an M.A. in Educational Theatre from New York University, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development traveling in the abroad
program studying Drama and Theatre in Education from the University of Leeds, Bretton Hall College (ENGLAND).

First By Faith: The Life Of Mary McLeod Bethune received a Creative Engagement, supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and administered by LMCC. First By Faith: The Life of Mary McLeod Bethune is a fiscally sponsored project of New York Foundation for the Arts.

www.FirstByFaith.com
www.RichardaAbrams.com