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Ato Blankson-Wood

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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.



Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2024
Cliff

[Off-Broadway]
The Public Theater Shakespeare in the Park Production, 2023
Hamlet

[Off-Broadway]
Shakespeare in the Park Production, 2022
Orlando

[Off-Broadway]
2022
Edmund Tyrone

[Broadway]
Broadway Return, 2021
Gary [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2019
Gary

[Off-Broadway]
American Premiere at Lincoln Center, 2019
Dembe

[Off-Broadway]
NYTW Off-Broadway World Premiere, 2018
Gary

[Off-Broadway]
The Public Theater Shakespeare in the Park Production, 2018
Orsino

[Off-Broadway]
MCC World Premiere Production, 2018
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Public Theatre Public Works Production, 2017
Orlando

[Off-Broadway]
Public Theatre Off-Broadway Production, 2016
Marty Roy

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2011
Tyllus

[West End]
London Revival, 2010
Member of the Tribe

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2009
Member of the Tribe

[Off-Broadway]
Shakespeare In The Park Revival, 2008
Tribe


Movies

It's Kind of a Funny Story
[ 2010 ] Jennifer
Detroit
[ 2017 ] Eddie
BlacKkKlansman
[ 2018 ] Hakeem
The Kindergarten Teacher
[ 2018 ] Justin
Worth
[ 2020 ] Darryl Barnes
The Same Storm
[ 2021 ] Russell Davis

Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2020 - Distinguished Performance Award

Ato Blankson-Wood, The Rolling Stone

Drama League Awards - 2020 - Distinguished Performance Award

Ato Blankson-Wood, Slave Play

Tony Awards - 2020 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Ato Blankson-Wood, Slave Play

Drama League Awards - 2017 - Distinguished Performance Award

Ato Blankson-Wood, The Total Bent

The Lortels - 2017 - Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical

Ato Blankson-Wood, The Total Bent

Videos

News


Cat Cohen, Elizabeth Marvel, Jen Tullock & More to Star in THE 24 HOUR PLAYS at The Town Hall

THE 24 HOUR PLAYS revealed the first round of artists for their annual gala on October 21, 2024, at The Town Hall. The event will feature Brett Azur, Ato Blankson-Wood, Devon Bostick, David Burtka, and more. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Photos: Adam Lambert and Auli'i Cravalho in CABARET AT THE KIT KAT CLUB

Get a first look at Adam Lambert and Auli'i Cravalho in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club on Broadway. See their first photos, learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
Photos: CABARET Stars Eddie Redmayne & Gayle Rankin Honored with Sardi's Portraits

Cabaret stars Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin were placed on the Sardi’s Walls of Broadway fame with portraits at an unveiling by Max Klimavicius, owner of Sardi’s. Check out photos from the event below!
Calvin Leon Smith to Join CABARET as 'Clifford Bradshaw' in September

Calvin Leon Smith will return to Broadway this Fall as ‘Clifford Bradshaw’ in the Tony Award -winning Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club at the August Wilson Theatre. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Adam Lambert and Auli'i Cravalho Will Join CABARET AT THE KIT KAT CLUB

GRAMMY Award nominee Adam Lambert and 'Moana' star Auli’i Cravalho will make their respective Broadway debuts as ‘Emcee’ and ‘Sally Bowles’ this Fall in the Tony Award-winning Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club at the August Wilson Theatre. We have all of the details here!
Meet CABARET's 'Emcee' Understudies, David Merino and Marty Lauter

Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club at the August Wilson Theatre has released the performance schedule for understudies David Merino and Marty Lauter, who will alternate the role of ‘Emcee’ through the end of August.
CABARET AT THE KIT KAT CLUB Reveals Schedule for 'Emcee' & 'Sally Bowles' Alternates

Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club at the August Wilson Theatre has revealed performance schedule for the alternates playing the roles of the ‘Emcee’ and ‘Sally Bowles’ through the end of August.
Video: Eddie Redmayne Recalls an Audience Member Asking Him for a Selfie During CABARET

On Tuesday, Eddie Redmayne stopped by Late Night With Seth Meyers to discuss Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, which is now playing at the August Wilson Theatre. In Cabaret, Redmayne plays 'The Emcee', a role played by Joel Grey in the 1966 and 1987 Broadway productions. During the interview, he discussed his long attachment to the material and a time when an audience member asked him for a selfie during a performance. Watch the interview here!
Video: Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin Talk CABARET Tony Nominations

Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin stopped by The Kelly Clarkson Show to discuss Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, now playing at the August Wilson Theatre. In Cabaret, Redmayne plays 'The Emcee', a role played by Joel Grey in the 1966 and 1987 Broadway productions. He performs alongside Gayle Rankin as Sally Bowles, replacing Jessie Buckley from the West End production. Watch the full interview!
CABARET AT THE KIT KAT CLUB on Broadway- A Complete Guide

Looking for all the latest info on one of Broadway's hottest shows? BroadwayWorld has the full scoop on everything that you need to know about Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club on Broadway.
CABARET Understudies To Go On For Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin This Summer

Cabaret understudies are set to go on as the Emcee and Sally Bowles for dates in June and July! Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Video: Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin Discuss CABARET Tony Nominations

Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin stopped by TODAY with Hoda & Jenna on Tuesday to discuss Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, now playing at the August Wilson Theatre. In Cabaret, Redmayne plays 'The Emcee', a role played by Joel Grey in the 1966 and 1987 Broadway productions. He performs alongside Gayle Rankin as Sally Bowles, replacing Jessie Buckley from the West End production. Both have been nominated for a Tony Award for their performance. Watch the interview!
Video: Eddie Redmayne Teaches Jimmy Fallon 'Willkommen' From CABARET

Eddie Redmayne visited The Tonight Show on Monday to discuss his role in as the Emcee in Cabaret for which he was just nominated for a Tony. During the interview, Redmayne recalled his first Tony win in 2010 for Red and some of his Cabaret experiences, culminating in a moment where Redmayne taught Fallon how to perform the famous opening number 'Willkommen.' Watch the interview and performance now!
Eddie Redmayne to Appear on THE TONIGHT SHOW Next Week

Tune in to see Eddie Redmayne on The Tonight Show next week! On Monday, May 20, the Cabaret star will be on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon likely to discuss the new production, which is now running on Broadway. The program airs 11:35/10:35c on NBC.
Video: Eddie Redmayne Talks CABARET on LIVE WITH KELLY AND MARK

Eddie Redmayne joined Live with Kelly and Mark on Thursday to discuss his role in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, which just opened on Broadway. Having previously played the role of the Emcee in London, Redmayne highlighted the difference between American and British audiences and his character to the show. Watch the interview here!
Shop CABARET AT THE KIT KAT CLUB on Broadway Merch in the Theater Shop

Shop Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club on Broadway Merch in BroadwayWorld's Theatre Shop! Show merch available for purchase includes a unique silk scarf, mugs, show shirt, hat, sweatshirt, Cabaret postcard and more.
CABARET AT THE KIT KAT CLUB Cancels Today's Matinee Due to Cast Illness

The April 24th matinee performance of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club has been cancelled due to cast illness. 
Photos: CABARET Cast Serves Double the Red Carpet Looks on Opening Weekend

Rebecca Frecknall's production of Cabaret celebrated not one, but two opening nights at the August Wilson Theatre and you can check out photos of all of the best fashions from both nights here.
Video: Bebe Neuwirth Talks Returning to Broadway with CABARET on CBS MORNINGS

Bebe Neuwirth, who is currently playing the role of Fraulein Schneider in the Broadway revival of Cabaret, visited CBS Mornings on Tuesday. She discussed her return to Broadway after ten years away, and what she loves about the show and this production in particular. Watch the interview here!
Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin to Talk CABARET on TODAY WITH HODA & JENNA This Friday

Tune in to see Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin on TODAY with Hoda and Jenna this week! On Friday April 26, the Cabaret stars will be on TODAY to talk the new production, which is currently running at the August Wilson Theatre. The program airs 10:00-11:00 a.m. EDT on NBC.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Ato Blankson-Wood been in?

Ato Blankson-Wood has appeared on Broadway in 5 shows.

How many West End shows has Ato Blankson-Wood been in?

Ato Blankson-Wood has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was Ato Blankson-Wood's first West End show?

Ato Blankson-Wood's first West End show was Hair which opened in 2010

What awards has Ato Blankson-Wood been nominated for?

Ato Blankson-Wood has received several nominations, including the Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards for The Rolling Stone, the Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards for Slave Play, and Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for Slave Play. He was also nominated for the Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards for The Total Bent and for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical at The Lortels for The Total Bent.

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