f i r s t w o m a n !
First Woman is a full service production company that develops and produces projects for television, film, stage, and work for young audiences. Named for the East African creation story from which her first name comes, founder Nambi E. Kelley is an award-winning playwright, actress, and screenwriter. Currently, First Woman is in production for the national tour of Jabari Dreams of Freedom 2022-23 after a successful tour which culminated in New York at the New Victory Theatre. First Woman’s inaugural production was the digital incarnate of Jabari which has been shown across the country.
Previous work for young audiences penned by Nambi E. Kelley include: So Journey To The Truth (co-written with Daniel Carlton, Syracuse Stage, Regional Tour), Ain’t No Black In A Rainbow (TheatreWorks USA, national tour TBD), Hero: The Boy From Troy (Pittsburgh CLO, music by Joe Plummer, regional tour 2023), Jabari Dreams of Freedom (Chicago Children’s Theatre, world premiere) The Blue Shadow (Lifeline Theatre, music by Joe Plummer) Peace To The Fourth Power (HealthWorks Theatre, National Tour), and The Tale of Nambi and Kintu (St. Louis Black Repertory Theatre, Regional Tour).
Current young audience commissions include: This Ability (co-written with Daniel Carlton, Chicago Children’s Theatre). First Woman's Founder Nambi E. Kelley served as curriculum director and actor for LATT Children’s Theatre in South Korea where she toured singing in Korean and English while creating interactive English immersion theatrical lessons for family audiences. She is currently in residence at The New Victory Theatre in New York City as a member of the LabWorks BIPOC Cohort, and is the recipient of Ben & Jerry’s Peacemaker of the Year Award for her work on Peace To The Fourth Power, a violence prevention play for teens.
Previous work for young audiences penned by Nambi E. Kelley include: So Journey To The Truth (co-written with Daniel Carlton, Syracuse Stage, Regional Tour), Ain’t No Black In A Rainbow (TheatreWorks USA, national tour TBD), Hero: The Boy From Troy (Pittsburgh CLO, music by Joe Plummer, regional tour 2023), Jabari Dreams of Freedom (Chicago Children’s Theatre, world premiere) The Blue Shadow (Lifeline Theatre, music by Joe Plummer) Peace To The Fourth Power (HealthWorks Theatre, National Tour), and The Tale of Nambi and Kintu (St. Louis Black Repertory Theatre, Regional Tour).
Current young audience commissions include: This Ability (co-written with Daniel Carlton, Chicago Children’s Theatre). First Woman's Founder Nambi E. Kelley served as curriculum director and actor for LATT Children’s Theatre in South Korea where she toured singing in Korean and English while creating interactive English immersion theatrical lessons for family audiences. She is currently in residence at The New Victory Theatre in New York City as a member of the LabWorks BIPOC Cohort, and is the recipient of Ben & Jerry’s Peacemaker of the Year Award for her work on Peace To The Fourth Power, a violence prevention play for teens.