Welcome

Hi there! I'm Denise J. Hart, a scholar, playwright, dramaturg, and director at Howard University.

I'm the 2024 recipient of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts Full Professor award for Scholarly Research and Creative Endeavors, and a member of the governing council of ATHE (The Association for Theatre in Higher Education). Notable projects include the Howard Players Theatre History Archive 1909-2019 and serving as founder and dramaturg of the Play Development Lab, an arts and career incubator for Black women playwrights.

While you're here, please check out Student Success, a snapshot of how my former students are making an impact in the world!

For fun I love family history and genealogy. Check out my 30 second ancestory.com commercials - One which focuses on Howard University and Two which focus on my family's role in post Black Reconstruction!

Scroll down to learn more about my recent projects and where I'll show up next in the world!

Upcoming Projects...

From Quill to Curtain: Crafting Plays Inspired by History

FREE

January 17, 31 & Feb. 14, 2026

This three-part workshop series invites writers of all levels to explore the craft of playwriting through the lens of historical figures and events. Participants will develop narrative structure, use of primary sources and character development while considering how the past connects to the present.

Click here to register

Facilitated by Howard University Professor of Dramaturgy and Playwriting Denise Hart, each session will build on the last and the series will culminate with a sharing of excerpts from participants’ works. A commitment to all three sessions is strongly encouraged. The series will be held at the Center for Education and Leadership on Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on January 17, 31 and February 14, 2026.

Public Scholarship: auto-ethnographic play

How I Met My Cousin:

The Genealogical Saga of the Bailey Family Tree

Commissioned by the Museum of African American History in Boston, How I Met My Cousin: The Genealogical Saga of the Bailey Family Tree is an auto-ethnographic solo performance, curated, written and performed by Sue’s “family history” obsessed 3rd cousin, Professor Denise J. Hart, the play, a form of public scholarship, takes the audience on a journey through the highs and lows of African American genealogical research using documentary style narrative story telling. The piece will be presented during Juneteenth weekend in Boston along with a lecture in conversation with the museum director Dr. Noelle Trent.

Lecture: A Blueprint for Freedom & Justice: The life and legacy of Sue Bailey Thurman

Lecture Date: Friday June 19, 2026 from 3-4:30pm.

How I Met My Cousin: The Genealogical Saga of the Bailey Family Tree tells the story of the rich legacy of freedom and justice in the life of Sue Bailey Thurman, founder of the Boston Museum of African American History. Curated, written and performed by Sue’s “family history” obsessed 3rd cousin, Professor Denise J. Hart, the play takes the audience on a journey through the highs and lows of African American genealogical research using documentary, poetry and narrative. The world of the early 20th century and beyond come alive with a cornucopia of familiar and famous African Americans, friends and colleagues who stood alongside Sue Bailey as they fostered a pathway for African Americans to thrive.

Articles

Howard Magazine Fall 2025

Scholarly Research & Leadership

Restorative Theatre Performance Project & Young Griots: New Works for the Stage

Restorative Theatre Performance Project focuses on expanding upon a relatively new theoretical examination of academic performance methodology that centers the student and faculty training experience on mutual collaboration, care, wellness, safety, protected intimacy and specialized mentorship.

The vehicle for the applied methodology was a curated production at Howard University, Young Griots: New Works for the Stage, which I also curated and directed.

In the fall 2025 semester I directed and curated an evening of plays written by my playwriting students at Howard University.

Student Playwrights & Cast:

Two Sides to Black written by Eeoghene Rhonor, senior Musical Theatre major & playwriting minor
- Cast: Mahlet Gebreyesus, T. Lang, Niani Braxton, Kameron Outland
5 Minutes written by Essence Jackson, senior TV and Film major & playwriting minor
- Cast: Cody Holmes, Skylar Wilson
Echo Chamber written by Kevoy Sommerville, junior Acting major & playwriting minor:
- Cast: Mahlet Gebreyesus, T. Lang, Niani Braxton
Incline written by Joycelyn Jackson, senior TV and Film major & playwriting minor:
- Cast: Cody Holmes, Skylar Wilson

ATHE Governing Council

Kudos to me! I've been elected to serve on the Association of Theatre in Higher Education Governing Council as the Vice President of conference 2027! Looking forward to seeing colleague/old friends and meeting new colleagues over the next two years!

2025 ACLS HBCU Fellowship Finalist!

For my proposed article, Decolonizing the Curriculum Through Black Power: Howard Players Theatre History 1969-1979

Denise J. Hart, an Emmy nominated award winning playwright, dramaturge and director has created an intensive play development opportunity for professional black women playwrights to develop their work through one-on-one meetings, table work and rehearsals with a cast of actors and developmental readings.