ABSTRACT
This interview highlights the incredible career of Shirley Prendergast, who became the first African American female to design lighting on Broadway in 1973 with the Negro Ensemble Company’s production The River Niger. Prendergast discusses how she went from a bacteriologist and dancer to an award-winning designer. A recipient of numerous awards including the 1997 Obie Award for Sustained Excellence in Lighting Design, 1998 Black Theatre Network Award, numerous Audelco Awards, and a 2014 USITT Distinguished Achievement Award in Lighting Design, at 86 years young, Shirley continues to design.
