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!

Recent Projects...

Young Griots: New Works for the Stage...

Fall 2025 I directed and curated an evening of plays written by my playwriting students at Howard University.

Student Playwrights & Cast:

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

Performance Photos: Echo Chamber written by Kevoy Somerville

Photos by Benita Gladney

Rehearsal Photos: Echo Chamber written by Kevoy Somerville

Photos by Denise J. Hart

Performance Photos: 5 Minutes written by Essence Jackson

Photos by Benita Gladney

Rehearsal Photos: 5 Minutes written by Essence Jackson

Photos by Denise J. Hart

Performance Photos: Two Sides to Black written by Efeoghene Rhonor

Photos by Benita Gladney

Rehearsal Photos: : Two Sides to Black written by Efeoghene Rhonor

Photos by Denise J. Hart

Performance Photos: Incline written by Joycelyn Jackson

Photos by Benita Gladney

Rehearsal Photos: Incline written by Joycelyn Jackson

Photos by Denise J. Hart

5 Minutes by Essence Jackson

Echo Chamber by Kevoy Somerville

Incline by Joycelyn Jackson

Two Sides to Black by Efeoghene Rhonor

Leadership & Creative Research

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.