Welcome to the official website of RODNEY HICKS
I am a husband, multihyphenate artist, meditator, friend, and an attuned level 3 reiki energy healer. My life has been lived to Be Here Now with kindness, compassion, peace, joy, breath, love, and heArt.
Pema Chödrön’s book ‘The Compassion Book’ teachings for awakening the heart, is a profound read. You can order it through Shambhala publications. www.shambhala.com
Amanda Gilbert’s book ‘Kindness Now’ is a powerful read and workbook. You can order it via Amazon.
Yung Pueblo’s book ‘The Way Forward’ is extraordinary. Like a warm cup of tea that leaves you sipping and savoring each page. You can order it via Amazon.
“We are all just walking each other Home.” - Ram Dass
i am grateful.
Instagram: @Rodneyhickshere; Linkedin: Rodney Hicks
Four guides must fulfill their contract after a mysterious door opens leading them underground to finish their Understanding America Tour. Through a series of absurd, zany, laugh–out–loud, and sometimes moving vignettes; together they take us through today, yesterday, and tomorrow uncovering a town of people in need of connection in everywhere America.
#inhaleexhale #ablackcomedy #newamericanplay #staytuned
director
Join us in welcoming the souls who will bring life to the story of "Passing Strange." Each artist has been chosen not just for their immense talent, but for their profound connection to the essence of their characters. They are not merely playing roles; they are living, breathing embodiments of the story we are set to tell.
Cast: Delphon "DJ" Curtis, Charles Grant, Jelani Kee, Jasonica Moore, LaRhonda Steele, Lauren Steele, Andrea Vernae
Musical direction by Kennedy Verrett
Choreography by Muffie Delgado Connelly
Directed by Rodney Hicks
Passing Strange | Portland Playhouse | Portland, Oregon
April 17 – May 26, 2024
For tickets please visit:
www.portlandplayhouse.org
playwright
1968 an American Love Story is an original musical about a year in the life of 7 friends who become chosen family; during the course of one of the most tumultuous years in America.
I am currently collaborating with my longtime friend–composer & lyricist David Austin, as he writes the original songs and lyrics for our new musical in development. 1968 had its first developmental reading over Zoom on March 19, 2021. Followed by a second Zoom developmental reading on June 26, 2021. A private in-person developmental reading took place in NYC at Ripley Grier Studios on June 10, 2022. A four-month-long developmental script intensive took place August-November of 2022, receiving notes, re-write after re-write, as I worked to pair the script down from four acts to two. I am incredibly grateful for the mentorship from a very well-respected creative producer in our industry. Looking forward to the future of 1968.
On March 27, 2023, a draft of the first part of my latest play, inhale-EXHALE, received a private NYC industry reading presentation of its first half–with a powerhouse cast of 4 beautiful and brilliant transformational actors–for an invited audience of 60– at The Producers Club-Crowne Theatre starring Tony Award nominee Jenn Colella (Come From Away), Tony Award nominee Crystal Lucas-Perry (Ain’t No Mo’), Christopher J. Hanke (How to Succeed in Business…), and Michael James Scott (Aladdin). Stage Manager: Benjamin A. Vigil, Assistant Stage Manager: Nikki Wen. Lights/Sound, Adrian Yuen. I am incredibly grateful and look forward to the play’s future.
FLAME BROILED. or the ugly play received its world premiere production at Local Theater Company (Pesha Rudnick, Artistic Director) in Boulder, CO in 2019. The cast featured four dynamic Denver and Pacific Northwest actors–Ilasiea Gray, Emma Messenger, Gary Norman, and Saxton Walker. FLAME BROILED. or the ugly play was well received critically and awarded the 2019 Eulipions Fund on behalf of The Denver Foundation. In the fall of 2020, the play received an exclusive Zoom reading. The cast included: Tony Award nominees Jenn Colella (Come From Away), Forrest McClendon (The Scottsboro Boys), Rob McClure (Mrs. Doubtfire), and Emmy Award nominee Tracie Thoms (Falsettos).
JUST PRESS SAVE
Over the years this play has been through many incarnations and several title changes. This piece has had over six years of developmental readings. On June 20, 2020, JUST PRESS SAVE had a workshop presentation as part of the Pride Plays Festival of New Plays. Directed by Michael Greif. We were incredibly fortunate to have in our cast six brilliant young artists who were outstanding. Wyatt Gray, Tony Award nominee Hailey Kilgore, Rafael Molina, Kenny Tran, Taylor Trensch, and Rocky Vega. Each artist in every reading was extraordinary. I am incredibly grateful.
JUST PRESS SAVE is a queer coming-of-age ensemble play set in the fictitious town of Willow Peak, PA. The intensity of the world is swirling around them as Gustavo, Maynor, Damon, Curtis, Jocelyn, and Bolin navigate their post-pandemic lives to survive, thrive, and graduate as part of the class of 2023.
JUST PRESS SAVE is available to download and read at www.newplayexchange.org.
MS. PEARL’S CABARET a semi-autobiographical play–with a drag twist and music, had a successful reading via Zoom in February 2021, produced by Rhymes over Beats Theatre Collective. A not-for-profit theatre company based out of Washington, DC. The cast included: Jennifer Fouché (White Girl in Danger), T. Oliver Reid (Hadestown), and J. Cameron Barnett (POSE) as Ms. Pearl.
JUST PRESS SAVE and MS. PEARL'S CABARET were Semi-Finalists in the Eugene O’Neill Theater Conference.
actor
BROADWAY actor credits: Original Cast of COME FROM AWAY "Bob & Others” Directed by Tony Award Winner Christopher Ashley, Musical Staging by Olivier Award Winner Kelly Devine; Original Cast of THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS "Clarence Norris" Directed and Choreographed by Tony Award Winner Susan Stroman; 2000 revival JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR "Peter" Directed by Gale Edwards, Choreographed by Tony Award nominee Anthony Van Laast; Original and Closing Casts of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning musical RENT Directed by Tony Award Nominee Michael Greif, choreographed by Tony Award Nominee Marlies Yearby.
NYC/REGIONAL: Grateful to have 29 years of NYC/regional/international theatre actor credits to his name, from originating roles, to stepping into newly envisioned ones. Rodney received a 2003 Audelco Award nomination for Outstanding Leading Actor in a musical for his work in Lee Summers’ Off-Broadway musical, ‘FROM MY HOMETOWN’, in which he originated the role of Philly. Directed by Kevin Ramsey. In 2011, Rodney had the distinct honor of being the first Black ‘Curly’ in a professional production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s OKLAHOMA! at Portland Center Stage in Portland, OR. Directed by Chris Coleman, it was also the first all Black production of the show. Rodney received the 2012 Barrymore Award for Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role in The Philadelphia Theatre Company’s production (Regional Premiere) of ‘THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS’, portraying Haywood Patterson. Susan Stroman’s original Broadway direction was re-created by Jeff Whiting. Rodney received a 2017 Helen Hayes Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a musical for originating the role of ‘Bob and others’ in COME FROM AWAY at the Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. Directed by Christopher Ashley.
FILM: Rodney can be seen as Dr. Brookman in Disney’s The Slumber Party (Disney +/Imagine Entertainment); The supporting role of DB in the Paramount Pictures film, Mighty Oak (Apple TV+, Amazon, Paramount+); Benjamin Coffin III in RENT: Filmed live on Broadway (Apple TV+, Amazon).
TV: Leverage; GRIMM; Hope & Faith; Student Affairs (Pilot); Law & Order: CI; NYPD Blue; Dance Party USA.
Original Cast Recordings: COME FROM AWAY, The Scottsboro Boys, 2006 Off-Broadway Cast Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, The New Picasso (concept recording) and RENT.
me
Om Shanti–peace
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Don’t worry–I have both of my legs. I am standing in a yoga tree pose. ✌🏾©2022
Magazine Article. photo by: Douglas Cohen ©2017
With Tina Fey and her husband Jeff Richmond after a performance of COME FROM AWAY on Broadway. selfie photo by Tina Fey ©2017
Rodney Hicks and Tony Nominee Hailey Kilgore (Currently starring as “Jukebox” in ‘POWER’ Raising Kanan on STARZ; She also stars as “Cinnamon” in the feature film CINNAMON on TUBI) at the Premiere of Disney’s Freaky Friday film release. ©2018
w/ the remarkable Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright, Paula Vogel, after her Master Class as part of the Dramatists Guild Playwright Conference/NYC. In the room where FLAME BROILED. or the ugly play began its life thanks to Paula’s prompt and fierce encouragement. I have so much Gratitude and love for this Extraordinary Artist, teacher, and human being in our world. ©2018
RUNAWAYS in concert. pictured l to r: Eric Svejcar (New arrangements), Rodney Hicks (Reworked book/Director), Elizabeth Swados (Original Book, Music & Lyrics), and Jamie McGonnigal (Concert Producer). A portion of the proceeds went to benefit The Joey DiPaolo AIDS Foundation. I will always be grateful to Jaime for being such a fabulous producer and friend. Collaborating with music extraordinaire, Eric Svejcar, was a brilliant and magnificent time. Working with the cast was absolutely beautiful. The cast included Alex Brightman, Ezra Miller, Max Jenkins, Karla Mosley, Eric Nelsen, Idara Victor, Karen DiConcetto, Shaun Taylor-Corbett, Alexis Sims, Garrett Zuercher, Eric Anthony, Paul Wyatt, Aryana Rodriguez, Juliana Rose Mauriello. It was an immense honor to have Liz there and give her permission to present this special concert at Joe’s Pub/The Public Theater. ©2007
Jeremy Gumbs as Eugene Williams, Joshua Henry as Haywood Patterson and Christian Dante White as Charlie Weems on the playbill cover of our Broadway Production of The Scottsboro Boys. ©2010
Original Off-Broadway cast of FROM MY HOMETOWN. l to r: Kevin R. Free as Memphis, Rodney Hicks as Philly and Andre Garner as Detroit. ©2004
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley production of August Wilson’s GEM OF THE OCEAN. l to r: Rodney Hicks as Caesar Wilks, Porscha Shaw as Black Mary and Edward Ewell as Citizen Barlow. ©2022
Original poster art for the 2006 Off-Broadway Revival of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris.
2006 Off-Broadway Revival Cast of Jacques Brel… l to r: Bob Cuccioli, Gay Marshall, me, Natascia Diaz.
as “Curly McLain” in Oklahoma! at Portland Center Stage. ©2011
October 2022, on set in Decatur, GA filming the Disney Plus/Imagine Entertainment feature film, ‘The Slumber Party’, in the supporting role of Dr. Conrad Brookman. Directed by Veronica Rodriguez. Photo by Veronica Rodriguez.
Adrian Yuen (lighting/sound), Benjamin A. Vigil (stage manager), Jenn Colella (Betty Ann Clayton & others), Michael James Scott (Gil Hart & others), Christopher J. Hanke (Will Hart & others), Crystal Lucas-Perry (Geneva Brown & others), Nikki Wen (assistant stage manager) - The Company of the March 27, 2023 reading presentation of the first act of inhale-EXHALE. The Producers Club-Crowne Theatre, NYC. ©2023
Original Broadway Cast poster art of Irene Sankoff & David Hein’s COME FROM AWAY. ©2017
Original Broadway Cast of COME FROM AWAY as featured in VANITY FAIR magazine. photo: Mark Seliger ©February 2017 issue
Sharon Wheatley, Rodney Hicks, Geno Carr and the Original Broadway Cast of COME FROM AWAY publicity shot. photo by: Matthew Murphy ©2017
Our COME FROM AWAY Original Broadway company in Gander, NF ©2016
The end of our COME FROM AWAY One night only concert in Gander, NF where the show takes place. ©2016
In Gander, New Foundland with ‘Come From Away’. ©2016
Original Poster Art for the La Jolla Production of COME FROM AWAY. ©2015
Original Poster Art for the Seattle Rep production of COME FROM AWAY. ©2015
Original Off-Broadway NYTW program. ©1996
Original Broadway playbill of RENT
Outside NYTW with our Original Company of RENT, including our friend, Jonathan Larson. ©1996 Photo by: Joan Marcus
publicity photo of the 2006 Off-Broadway revival cast of ‘Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris’ at the now gone, Zipper Theatre in NYC. Bob Cuccioli, Gay Marshall, Rodney Hicks, Natascia Diaz. ©2006
Opening night of the 2006 Off-Broadway revival of ‘Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris’. Bob Cuccioli, Gay Marshall, Natascia Diaz, Rodney Hicks, Eric Svejcar (musical director/new arrangements). ©2006
The Scottsboro Boys on Broadway outside the Lyceum Theatre. ©2010
Our original Off-Broadway poster of The Scottsboro Boys at The Vineyard Theater. ©2010
As Clarence Norris w/ Brandon Victor Dixon as Haywood Patterson and our Off Broadway cast of The Scottsboro Boys at The Vineyard Theatre, NYC. ©2010 photo by: Carol Rosegg.
Glenn Carter as Jesus on the playbill cover of our 2000 Broadway revival of Jesus Christ Superstar.
Show promo card. Original 2000 Revival cast of Jesus Christ Superstar. Simon Zealots. photo: Ivan Kyncl. ©2000
Show promo card. Original 2000 Revival Cast of Jesus Christ Superstar. The Last Supper. photo: Ivan Kyncl. ©2000
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