In Episode 21, Mark-Eugene and David celebrate both their milestone 21st episode and the brilliance of Shaina Taub’s As You Like It and Twelfth Night. They welcome an incredible lineup of guests, including Obie Award-winning, Emmy-nominated songwriter, and two-time Tony winner Shaina Taub, alongside Tony-nominated moderator Ato Blankson-Wood.
Ato Blankson-Wood
Ato Blankson-Wood (he/him) is best known for his starring role in Jeremy O. Harris’ critically acclaimed Slave Play, for which he was nominated for a 2021 Tony Award.
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BIO
Ato Blankson-Wood (he/him) is best known for his starring role in Jeremy O. Harris’ critically acclaimed Slave Play, for which he was nominated for a 2021 Tony Award. He has also earned nominations for the Drama League Awards and the inaugural Antonyo Awards for playing ‘Gary,’ a role he originated for the New York Theatre Workshop production, where his performance earned him a Lortel Nomination. This past summer, Ato played the titular role of Hamlet in Shakespeare in the Park’s production directed by Kenny Leon. Prior to this, Ato starred opposite Bill Camp and Elizabeth Marvel in Long Day’s Journey Into Night for Audible, which reunited him with Slave Play director Robert O’Hara. Ato had his breakout performance in the Public Theatre musical The Total Bent (Drama League and Lucille Lortel Award nomination) which explored the life of a black musical prodigy in a nation on the verge of social upheaval. Ato has also been seen on Broadway in Hair and Lysistrata Jones, as well as in The Rolling Stone for Lincoln Center (Drama League Award nomination for Distinguished Performance). Films include Kathryn Bigelow’s Detroit, Spike Lee’s BlacKKKlansman, Worth, opposite Michael Keaton, and Peter Hedge’s The Same Storm. Television includes “The Good Fight,” “She’s Gotta Have It,” and Ava DuVernay’s “When They See Us.” Ato is represented by Independent Artist Group and D2 Management.
STAGE CREDITS
See how Ato Blankson-Wood connects to other Broadway stars and creatives.
Six Degrees of Broadway Beta
See how many degrees separate Ato Blankson-Wood from another Broadway star or creative.
Ato Blankson-Wood
Connection
Movies
[ 2010 ] Jennifer
[ 2017 ] Eddie
[ 2018 ] Hakeem
[ 2018 ] Justin
[ 2020 ] Darryl Barnes
[ 2021 ] Russell Davis
TV Shows
[ 2024 ] Hamlet
Awards and Nominations
Ato Blankson-Wood, The Rolling Stone
Ato Blankson-Wood, Slave Play
Ato Blankson-Wood, Slave Play
Ato Blankson-Wood, The Total Bent
Ato Blankson-Wood, The Total Bent
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Ato Blankson-Wood has appeared on Broadway in 5 shows.
Ato Blankson-Wood has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.
Ato Blankson-Wood's first West End show was Hair which opened in 2010
Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for The Rolling Stone, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Slave Play, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Slave Play, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for The Total Bent and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical (The Lortels) for The Total Bent.
Podcasts
#202 - CABARET AT THE KIT KAT CLUB
Velkommen, bienvenue! Welcome to the Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club! That's right, we are bring the Kit Kat Club to you as we talk to the cast, creatives, and Broadway's biggest celebrities ahead of the opening night. Hear the behind the scenes inside scoop to a show like never before.
S2/Ep3: Robert O'Hara & Ato Blankson-Wood
On this week’s episode of My First Show's mini-season, Eva is joined by the director of SLAVE PLAY, Robert O’Hara, and one of its stars, Ato Blankson-Wood. Both artists are Tony-nominated for their work on Jeremy O.