Theatre Director
My work as a director is rooted in exploring the complexities of identity, with a particular focus on gender, race, and sexuality. I am passionate about bringing to life narratives of discovery, resilience, and the centering of Black women’s voices.
Caravaggio’s bold splashes of crimson and gut-wrenching emotional tension captivate my imagination and inform my approach to staging and tableau. Kara Walker’s fearless and unambiguous interrogation of racism, sexism, and social injustice serve as stark reminders of my commitment to the power of art to advance human empathy and understanding. Jewel tones, sharp silhouettes, and stark contrast are integral components of my work.
I am drawn to playwrights who craft stories of intersectional characters navigating an unforgiving and hostile society with resilience and creativity. My rehearsal process heavily emphasizes tablework, where I work diligently with actors with develop an expansive interpretation of their characters’ backgrounds and given circumstances to illuminate their objectives and tactics.
Upcoming Productions
King James
by Rahiv Joseph
Directed by Thembi Duncan November 8-24, 2024D'Youville Kavinoky Theatre
“King” LeBron James’s years playing in Cleveland bring promise, prosperity, and renewal to a city in desperate need of all three. His tenure also unites Shawn and Matt in an unlikely bond forged by fandom. Over twelve years, from LeBron’s rookie season to an NBA Championship, the men navigate their turbulent friendship through their shared love of basketball—and the endless amiable arguments that erupt from that love.
Fabulation or, the Re-Education of Undine
by Lynn Nottage
Directed by Thembi DuncanNovember 21-24, 2024UB Center for the Arts Drama Theatre
A social satire about an ambitious African American woman, Undine Barnes Calles, whose husband suddenly disappears after embezzling all of her money. Pregnant and on the brink of social and financial ruin, Undine retreats to her childhood home in Brooklyn’s Walt Whitman projects, only to discover that she must cope with a crude new reality.
Recommended for ages 16+.