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. Most recently, First Woman completed the first national tour of HERO: THE BOY FROM TROY, A NEW MUSICAL ABOUT YOUNG JOHN LEWIS . First Woman's first tour of JABARI DREAMS OF FREEDOM culminated in New York on 42nd Street at the New Victory, and enjoyed a second national tour the following season. First Woman’s inaugural production was the digital incarnate of Jabari which has been shown across the world in multiple film festivals garnering tremendous accolades and awards including in India and Africa.
Previous work for young audiences penned by Nambi E. Kelley include: Hidden Inside, co-written with Daniel Carlton (Keen Company, publication Concord Theatricals) ,So Journey To The Truth (co-written with Daniel Carlton, Syracuse Stage, Regional Tour), Ain’t No Black In A Rainbow developed by Bianca LaVerne Jones (TheatreworksUSA), Hero: The Boy From Troy (Pittsburgh CLO, music by Joe Plummer directed by Monteze Freeland, 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 (The St. Louis Black Repertory Company, Regional Tour). Current young audience commissions include: The Voices In the Walls (Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis with Penumbra Theatre Co), Pig Foot Mary's Harlem Renaissance by Daniel Carlton (commissioned by The Collective, national tour 26-27), 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 was recently 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: Hidden Inside, co-written with Daniel Carlton (Keen Company, publication Concord Theatricals) ,So Journey To The Truth (co-written with Daniel Carlton, Syracuse Stage, Regional Tour), Ain’t No Black In A Rainbow developed by Bianca LaVerne Jones (TheatreworksUSA), Hero: The Boy From Troy (Pittsburgh CLO, music by Joe Plummer directed by Monteze Freeland, 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 (The St. Louis Black Repertory Company, Regional Tour). Current young audience commissions include: The Voices In the Walls (Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis with Penumbra Theatre Co), Pig Foot Mary's Harlem Renaissance by Daniel Carlton (commissioned by The Collective, national tour 26-27), 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 was recently 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.