Crystal Wise
Everyone has a story, and D. Wambui Richardson is making sure they get shared.
The New Orleans native knew he wanted to be an artistic director by the time he was 17. By the time he graduated college, he’d successfully held many roles running the gamut that made him familiar with almost every facet of the industry and laid the foundation for his current position as the artistic director at Jubilee Theatre.
“During my undergrad at Dillard University, I had a very strong mentor who instilled in me that before I could direct, I had to learn all of the other crafts,” Richardson says.
As an artistic director, Richardson is responsible for overseeing all aspects of production and making sure that everything runs smoothly. Sometimes that involves stepping in as the swing or implementing extra precaution to protect his performers against COVID-19. Whatever the case may be, the show must go on.
And Richardson applies that age-old mantra beyond the theater.
After watching “Into the Woods” at 11 years old, Richardson recounts that he “became enthralled with wanting to tell stories that aren’t always about the ‘happily ever after’ because not everybody gets to live that way. But you can take lessons from your struggles.”
Richardson’s life hasn’t always been easy, but every hardship helped him define what he wanted to be. And he’s been fortunate to have supportive family members surrounding him along every step of the way.
The relationships Richardson has with his family have inspired two independent projects.
The first is From Father to Son, a collection of monologues inspired by what he has learned by being a father himself as well as the conversations he wished he could have shared with his own father.
“It’s meant to be all of the things we, as men, want to tell our sons but don’t,” Richardson says.
The second is a musical adaptation of the 1975 film “Mahogany.” As a kid, Richardson couldn’t help but see the parallels between the protagonist of the film and his mother because both made significant sacrifices to follow their dreams.
For as long as he can recall, Richardson has sought to be a storyteller and encourage conversation.
“Jubilee Theatre has been a blessing to me and to the community for creating a space where people’s voices have a place to be heard and explored.”
1 of 5
At Dillard University, Richardson found family in his fellow theater majors.
2 of 5
Richardson and Managing Director Christie Howard were up bright and early to market Jubilee on “Good Morning Texas.”
3 of 5
Richardson attended the award ceremony for Jubilee’s inaugural Gold Golf Tournament last June.
4 of 5
Richardson celebrated Jubilee’s “Hoodoo Love,” performed early last year, with members of the cast.
5 of 5
Richardson and Managing Director Christie Howard getting in the spirit for Jubilee’s “If Scrooge Was a Brotha.”
Five Quotes He Lives By:
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” – Frederick Douglass
“Any form of art is a form of power; it has impact, it can affect change – it can not only move us, it makes us move.” – Ossie Davis
“If I am a cup maker, I’m interested in making the best cup I possibly can. My effort goes into that cup, not what people think about it.” – Denzel Washington
“If you can’t figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion will lead you right into your purpose.” – T. D. Jakes
“You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.” – Shirley Chisolm (politician and first African American woman to seek the nomination for president.)
