[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 37 (Thursday, February 29, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                        HONORING LLOYD RICHARDS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JERROLD NADLER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 29, 2024

  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in this esteemed body to honor 
the late Lloyd Richards, who left an indelible mark on our society 
through his groundbreaking career as a director, producer, performer, 
and educator.
  A giant of the American Theatre, Richards was a groundbreaking talent 
who smashed the color barrier on Broadway for African American 
directors and became the first Black director to direct a Broadway 
play.
  Before becoming one of the most important figures in American theater 
during the 20th century, he survived poverty and hardship during the 
depths of the Great Depression. At the age of only 13, he worked in a 
barbershop to help put food on the table for his blind mother and his 
four siblings.
  During World War II, Richards halted his studies at Wayne University 
to serve his country in the U.S. Army Air Corps' division of fighter 
pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen. He then moved to New York City in 
1947, and despite roles for African American actors being incredibly 
hard to come by, he landed roles on Broadway and on the radio. It was 
during this time that Richards started his illustrious career as an 
educator and developed what would become a lifelong friendship with one 
of his early acting students, the great Sidney Poitier.
  Richards would go on to direct Poitier in the landmark original 
production A Raisin in the Sun, which opened at Broadway's Ethel 
Barrymore Theater on March 11, 1959. The production became an artistic 
and commercial success on Broadway, and Richards became the first 
African American to be nominated for the Tony Award for Best Direction.
  Richards went on to become one of the most respected and innovative 
directors in the industry. He helped to bring the works of playwrights 
such as August Wilson, Lorraine Hansberry, and Athol Fugard to the 
stage, shaping the landscape of American theater in the process.
  Beyond his contributions to the world of theater, Lloyd Richards was 
a dedicated and passionate educator. As the dean of the Yale School of 
Drama, he nurtured and inspired generations of talented artists, 
instilling in them the values of integrity, hard work, and dedication.
  I am grateful that thanks to the incredible advocacy of the Committee 
to Celebrate Lloyd Richards, the corner of 47th Street and Broadway in 
Manhattan will be co-named ``Lloyd Richards Way'' on June 29, 2024. 
This is a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to the art of 
theater and left behind a legacy that continues to inspire and 
influence artists worldwide.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the memory of Lloyd 
Richards and in celebrating his contributions to American theater. May 
his name and his legacy continue to inspire future generations of 
artists and educators for years to come.

                          ____________________