AMERICAN THEATRE | Michael Dinwiddie, Torchbearer of Black Theatre

With full hearts and profound sorrow, we honor and salute the life and legacy of Michael Dinwiddie—playwright, professor, cultural emissary, and past president of the Black Theatre Network, who made his transition to be with the ancestors on July 4 at the age of 70. His absence is immense, as is the light he left behind.

Michael was more than a scholar. He was a storyteller, a keeper of history, a community builder, and, for many of us, a beacon of global theatre light. He showed us what it means to live a life committed to truth, culture, and Black excellence, not just in theory, but in daily action, in kindness, in laughter, and in mentorship.

As a professor at New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, Michael inspired generations of students. He made theatre feel alive and urgent, and he invited each of his students to bring their entire selves to the work. Whether guiding a thesis on Black theatre or staging a scene from one of his plays, Michael treated his students with both deep respect and high expectations. He believed in them—often before they believed in themselves.

As a playwright, Michael brought a powerful voice to the stage. His work often pulled from history, telling overlooked stories, dignifying Black lives, and challenging the status quo. However, his writings never felt like a lesson. His work had rhythm, wit, and heart. He was also an accomplished pianist and composer who, along with Chris Berry, wrote and performed a heartfelt and fun tribute to all former presidents of the Black Theatre Network during our 30th annual conference. When we had a conference planning meeting in Detroit, he took several of us board members by his home to visit his mother, and we stood around the piano, singing show tunes and sharing laughs.

Perhaps Michael’s most enduring legacy lives in the relationships he built and nurtured. From 2012 to 2014, he served as president of the Black Theatre Network, guiding the organization with clarity, compassion, and pride. His leadership was generous and visionary, making space for new voices while honoring the legacies of those who came before. I remember the conference we held in New York at his institution; there was no shortage of shared time with Black cultural luminaries, including Lynn Nottage, S. Epatha Merkerson, Charles Randolph-Wright, Irene Gandy, and Rockell Metcalf.

Beginning in 2017, Michael served as a consultant to the Black Theatre Network, lending wisdom, insight, and excellent institutional knowledge to ensure the organization’s continued growth. He never truly stepped aside; he was always just a phone call away, always ready with advice, encouragement, or a loving challenge.

If you ever shared a meal with Michael or sat beside him at a conference or heard him laugh in a late-night hotel lobby gathering, you know he brought joy wherever he went. He would send emails and make calls just to check in and lend support. He was much more than a board member; he was a trusted friend. His passing is indeed a major loss. We will miss his wisdom, his mischief, his brilliance, and his boundless generosity. But in his spirit, we also rise. Because that is what he taught us to do.

We will continue to teach. We will continue to write. We will continue to fight for the preservation and celebration of Black theatre. And we will continue to laugh—because Michael wouldn’t have it any other way.

Rest well, dear brother. Aṣẹ. We will carry the torch you so lovingly passed on.

Renée Charlow is the current president of Black Theatre Network.