Whitney White
American director, actor, and musician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Whitney White (born 1985 or 1986)[1] is an American director, actor, and musician.[2][3][4][5] Her acting work includes Ocean's 8, Louie, and The Playboy Club.[6] She was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play for Jaja’s African Hair Braiding on Broadway at the 77th Tony Awards in 2024.[7][8] White will direct the forthcoming stage musical production of The Queen's Gambit.[9][10][11][12]
Early life and education
Whitney White grew up in Chicago, Illinois.[13] She attended Northwestern University, where she took theater classes, receiving a BA in political science and a certificate in musical theater. While working as an intern on Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign, White realized she wanted to pursue the arts. She received a MFA in acting from Brown University through their partnership with Trinity Repertory Company.[2][14][15][1]
During White's first year of MFA at Brown University/Trinity Rep, all actor program students had to take one directing class. She received her first opportunity to direct during this class (an adaptation she wrote of Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen), and she felt that all of her skills were being put to use and "that my brain was quiet and focused".[13]
Personal life
White lives in Brooklyn, New York City.[16]
Works
| Year | Title | Credit | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Marvin's Room | Assistant Director | American Airlines Theatre, Broadway |
| 2019 | for all the women who thought they were Mad | Director | Soho Repertory Theatre, Off-Broadway |
| Our Dear Dead Druglord | Director | WP Theater, Off-Broadway | |
| 2020 | What to Send Up When It Goes Down | Director | The Public Theater, Off-Broadway |
| 2022 | On Sugarland | Director | New York Theatre Workshop, Off-Broadway |
| Soft | Director | MCC Theater, Off-Broadway | |
| The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington | Director | Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago | |
| 2023 | The Secret Life of Bees | Director | Almeida Theatre, Off West End |
| Jaja's African Hair Braiding | Director | Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, Broadway | |
| 2024 | Jordans | Director | The Public Theater, Off-Broadway |
| Walden | Director | Second Stage Tony Kiser Theater, Off-Broadway | |
| 2025 | Liberation | Director | Roundabout at Laura Pels Theatre, Off-Broadway |
| The Last Five Years | Director | Hudson Theatre, Broadway | |
| Saturday Church | Director | New York Theatre Workshop, Off-Broadway | |
| Liberation | Director | James Earl Jones Theatre, Broadway |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Obie Award | Direction | Our Dear Dead Druglord | Won |
| 2022 | Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Director of a Play | On Sugarland | Nominated |
| Lucille Lortel Award | Outstanding Director | Nominated | ||
| 2023 | Lucille Lortel Award | Outstanding Director | Soft | Nominated |
| 2024 | Tony Awards | Best Direction of a Play | Jaja's African Hair Braiding | Nominated |
| Drama League Awards | Outstanding Direction of a Play | Nominated | ||
| 2025 | Drama League Awards | Founders Award for Excellence in Directing | Honored | |
| 2026 | Obie Award | Sustained Achievement in Direction | Walden and Liberation | Won |
