37 New Yorkers Making an Impact in Entertainment

Television agent, CAA

Every day, Adler’s clients report on the world: She reps some of the biggest names in journalism and on-air personalities in the biz. From Hoda Kotb to Martha Raddatz to Andrea Mitchell to David Fahrenthold, Pete Buttigieg and Andrew Yang, the press and public intellectuals are in the trenches, making sense of our national discourse. “Our clients have been particularly heroic in the last several months, risking their health and exposure to their loved ones, to be on the ground and bearing witness, and offering insight in such a consequential time.  They work hard to balance empathy and analysis when so many stories are creating so much noise, and yet require so much attention,” she says. What New York-centric thing does she look forward to doing in 2021? “I can’t wait to beat my personal best 11-minute dash across the city from my office in the Chrysler Building to CNN’s office in Hudson Yards; 7 train I miss you!”

#TheShowMustBePaused

On Friday, May 29, in response to the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and many others at the hands of police, a message circulated on social media: “#TheShowMustBePaused. An initiative created by two Black women in music in observance of the long-standing racism and inequality that exists from the boardroom to the boulevard,” it called for June 2 to be “a day to disconnect from work and reconnect with our community.” The message gained momentum with astonishing speed over the weekend, as most of the biggest companies in music first pledged to observe the day — and then pledged millions of dollars toward Black Lives Matter and other charities; to hold company-wide town halls about diversity; and to revise their personnel policies to advance diversity. Those two women, Jamila Thomas of Atlantic Records and Breanna Agyemang of Apple’s Platoon artist-marketing division, were probably as surprised as anyone at how quickly their initiative took off — but they haven’t let up. On Sept. 2 they issued an even stronger list of demands before standing down, temporarily, to focus on
voter registration.

Advocates

Black Theatre United was born on a June night when Schele Williams and other celebrated members of the Black theater community came together to create substantive change with the industry. Its mission includes protecting Black talent, Black lives and spreading a message of empowerment through activism within the community. Brandon Victor Dixon, Audra McDonald and Billy Porter — to name a few — are among its founding members. “That conversation began with, ‘There are Black people getting killed on our streets — what are we going to do? That night Black Theatre United was born,” says Williams. Black Theatre United is a community “committed to using our voices and platforms to advocate for social justice. We are also committed to eradicating systemic racism in the theater industry on Broadway and stages across the country.” It will look to develop mentorship programs for young Black theater artists, encourage census participation, and advocate voting education and registration. There is a unity, she observes, and that unity is one she hopes will bring change to the systemic racism that exists across the industry.

Chairman, Entertainment Networks, NBCUniversal

Berwick was promoted to head of the newly formed entertainment business unit in August as part of an overall corporate restructure, and now maps out programming strategy and content spend across its English-language networks including NBC, Bravo, E!, USA and Syfy. She touts having more than 50 productions “on the go” and how they’ve kept programming moving despite the quarantine. Post-quarantine, Berwick says she can’t wait to get back to people-watching on the subway into work, even though she knows it “sounds bizarre.”

“We’re Here”

From discussing racism in the drag fandom to interviewing a New York City COVID-19 nurse, Bob the Drag Queen has pivoted content to online. “I’m adapting my career,” she says. Earlier this year, she appeared on HBO’s Emmy-nominated “We’re Here” and co-produced the show with her “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alumnae Shangela and Eureka O’Hara. The show took drag across small-town America, opening conversations and unleashing the strength of compassion. Elsewhere, she has kept busy, hosting a “Sibling Rivalry” podcast and her “Bob Live” show. The thing she misses the most and is looking forward to again are drag shows. “My favorite thing to do in the city is going to drag shows, and especially amateur drag competitions.” When she’s not beefing up her Instagram content, there’s Season Two of “Were Here” to look forward to. “I can’t wait to see how that transforms,” she says.

Exec VP, Communications for ViacomCBS Entertainment and Youth

After joining Viacom in 2016, Burnett Fefferman received a bump in January to exec VP, communications, for ViacomCBS entertainment and youth that more than doubled her oversight to nine brands and their content studios. She also co-heads the new MTV Documentary Films with Nina L. Diaz, president and chief content officer of the E&Y Group at ViacomCBS, and worked with former HBO doc maven Sheila Nevins on the Oscar-nominated “St. Louis Superman.” Her group earned 16 Emmy wins in September, which is “something we’re enormously proud of,” she says. Quarantine has made her “miss the density of people” in New York. “Really being able to socialize with friends and family again. I’m looking forward to that [in 2021].”

Actor

Six-time Tony nominee Burstein contracted COVID-19 early on in the pandemic. After nearly a weeklong hospital stay, Burstein returned home to resume his duties as a caretaker for his wife (and fellow actor) Rebecca Luker, who is fighting her own battle with ALS. He recently came back to visit the Al Hirschfeld Theater, where he was playing Harold Zidler in Broadway’s “Moulin Rouge” before the shutdown. “[Visiting the theater] told me how ready I am to get back to work and how eager my entire being is to take those first steps again and sing those first notes again,” he says. “It’s in our souls and our DNA to be in that building.”

TV host, Executive Producer

Renaissance man Cohen continues adding fresh projects to his established roster of TV shows, including publishing “The Meaning of Mariah Carey” later this year via his Andy Cohen Books imprint; radio (his “Radio Andy” SiriusXM channel recently celebrated its five-year anniversary); and cartoons (Quibi now airs the animated “Andy Cohen Diaries”). He’s been hosting “Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen” and virtual “Real Housewives” reunions from home. Plus, he’s a new father and COVID-19 survivor. Once things “go back to normal,” top of his list of New York things to do is a Madison Square Garden concert where he can “just go absolutely ape-s–t.”

iHeartRadio Host

As COVID-19 raged on, New York-based syndicated radio personality Duran provided information and comfort to a city — and nation — in despair. The pandemic’s impact on radio, “turned our world upside down,” says Duran, who, along with his Z100 Morning Zoo stars, took comfort in continuing to broadcast daily, even if forced to do so from kitchen tables with five-hour Zoom sessions. “It gave us the ultimate gift in being able to do what we do best: strengthening meaningful connections with our listeners,” says Duran, adding that the show provided a sounding board to listeners “stuck at home” while shining a light on those working on the frontlines. Duran wasn’t lacking for concerts even during coronavirus, organizing virtual events like “Elvis Duran’s Stay at Home Ball” benefitting Project Cure and “Elvis Duran’s Drag Spectacular” benefiting Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation. “These events have morphed into a whole new standard,” he says. “The iHeartRadio Music Festival is a shining example of how far we’ve come since the beginning of the pandemic.”

Anchor, Fox News

With her ratings on the rise, Faulkner has had a breakout year, adding more special reports to her duties. As a Black woman journalist in an interracial marriage, she has been personally buffeted by recent events. “Let’s really look at what change can be. …. The media are watched. They are read. They are listened to. They have power of influence in our lives, but they have responsibility, too. And so I think it is important that people see me as a Black woman doing what I do.”

Singer-Songwriter

Earlier this year, Gaga spearheaded the successful “One World: Together at Home” fundraising event, to help fight the spread of COVID. Her sixth album, “Chromatica” was released in May, and in September, Gaga won four MTV Video Music Awards and was honored with the inaugural Tricon Award. Her new book, “Channel Kindness,” is a collection of essays by teens on mental health.

Filmmaker

Despite the pandemic, Garbus has been moving “full steam ahead on multiple projects and fronts.” Not only did the prolific documentary director and producer helm her first narrative feature, “Lost Girls,” she directed and produced the six-part documentary series “I’ll Be Gone in the Dark,” about the Golden State Killer. “All In: The Fight for Democracy” is her latest project completed in lockdown. Released Sept. 18, the documentary is an urgent cry to vote while highlighting the history of voter suppression. She says “being busy and focused is the best antidote to the chaos of these times.” A New York native, Garbus looks forward to city-centric activities again, such as “going to Yankee Stadium, going to the Film Forum and waving at my kids every morning as they walk down the street to go to school. That, I miss the most.”

President and Chief Content Officer, Sirius XM

Born about an hour’s drive away in Freehold, NJ — home to a young Bruce Springsteen — Greenstein has lived and worked in New York for 35 years. COVID has made Sirius XM “focus on creating a more human experience. The overwhelming positive response to our expanded streaming product validated our belief that consumers are making new choices across audio. We can clearly see the increasing demand for real curation, artist-first programming, and the compelling unique content,” he says. He looks forward to his own human experience when life opens up: “I can’t wait to take a long walk home from work and see the city again with a fresh set of eyes.”

Co-President, ICM

Harris, whose clients include writer Taffy Brodesser-Akner, took the co-president reins last October, and was one of the leaders in establishing a $20-an-hour base salary for all assistants — the first agency to do so — and set a goal to fill 50% of all open positions with diverse and inclusive candidates. “I’m a product of the legacy agency career path and that experience gave me a ton of respect for our assistant pool,” he says. “So I do a lot of listening and credit them with conveying that — no matter how proactive we’ve tried to be in the past — we were never going to accomplish our diversity and working wage issues without reformation of our whole system.” He notes that “ICM made the 50/50BY2020 commitment in 2017. We’ve maintained that momentum with our Diversify/ICM and InQlusion initiatives and it has been thrilling to witness our colleagues embracing and insisting on meaningful change: Inclusion in every sense of the word.”

Senior VP, NBC News and MSNBC

More than six months into the COVID-19 pandemic, a handful more people have joined Jones at the NBC News 30 Rock headquarters, where she has been working for the duration, but most of the programming is still being produced remotely and the opportunities to interact with those that are in the building remain limited due to health and safety requirements. Balancing the need to cover the pandemic, presidential election and ongoing racial protests can be tricky. But “in many cases these stories intersect — you can’t cover one without touching on the others,” she says. “It’s an incredible news cycle to guide our audience through.” During the pandemic, she’s most missed eating at restaurants. “But we have been lucky to safely enjoy outdoor eating this summer.”

CEO, Downtown Music Holdings

“New York is magic — it is the world at its best.” Spoken like a true (read: native) New Yorker, Kalifowitz acknowledges that the pandemic has been “extraordinarily tough, but six months out, I look at what our people achieved under such difficult circumstances and I’m in awe of the continued innovation and endless commitment to our clients.” The publishing entrepreneur supervising a staff of more than 600 and a roster that includes such hitmakers as Ryan Tedder and Benny Blanco, also lauds “the explosion of creativity from the artists we serve.” Pulling double duty as the head of the New York Is Music coalition, what’s he craving about life in the city? “Complaining about the tourists over dinner at Raoul’s before jumping on a packed subway ride to a sold-out concert at MSG, followed by drinks in the Village and late night pizza at Joe’s.”

Co-founder/CEO, 300 Entertainment

Over the course of his 30-plus year career, Liles has been an artist, a manager (Mariah Carey, D’Angelo, Trey Songz) and president/CEO of a major label — but he seems to have found his true calling at the helm of 300 Entertainment, the indie powerhouse that has had huge success with Young Thug, Migos and, most recently, Megan Thee Stallion. But he’s also stepped up for his artists, his staff and New York itself in the pandemic, with a COVID relief fund and free psychological care — and they’ve given away more than 100,000 meals to the city. “The pandemic, police brutality and the divisive administration have created a triple negative effect on us as human beings, but these challenges are necessary sometimes for seismic change,” he says. “The people of 300 have risen to meet the challenges that this year has presented, and we have hit more milestones this year than we ever have.”

Head of Publishing, UTA

Books are not dead, and Leavell is living proof of that, having closed 24 deals so far this year. He’s working with Chip and Joanna Gaines and set up a deals between Flatiron Books and iHeartMedia, the first-ever imprint deal for a line of podcast-based books between a major book publisher and podcast network, with the first title from the deal, “Stuff You Should Know,” hitting shelves Nov. 7. “Publishing is an extremely competitive marketplace, but our creators benefit from having pre-established audiences with millions of listeners who are eager to consume more of their content,” he says. “One of the great things about publishing is that we always prove the naysayers wrong. Book sales have remained resilient through every sea change the industry has faced because reading a book is still simply one of the most enjoyable, comforting things you can do.”

Correspondent, Fox News

Llenas’ star has been on the rise this year on the cable news network, as he’s tackled the biggest news of the year: the coronavirus, the national demonstrations in support of Black Lives Matter and the Jeffrey Epstein case. He’s also immersed in issues surrounding diversity. “There are communities in America that lack diversity. There are families and young people who do not interact with people of color or LGBTQ people on a daily basis. As a result, their perception of minorities is largely determined by what they see in the media. As a reporter at the Fox News Channel who just happens to be brown, gay and Latino, I am keenly aware of how I can impact perceptions and view it as my responsibility to represent these communities proudly. This means working hard to become the best reporter I can be, but it also means living authentically and choosing to be out and open about my relationship with my partner. Coming out is never easy and choosing to make my private life public and open was hard.”

Playwright

After becoming the first Latinx writer to win the Oliver, Drama Desk and Drama League awards for “The Inheritance,” López has moved on to write the book for “Some Like It Hot,” a musical adaptation aiming for Broadway in 2021, along with “some film projects.” But he’s also been re-exploring his identity, re-incorporating the diacritic in his surname. “At 19 or 20, you may not realize how much you allow the white world to take this away from you,” he says. “But even small things are not small.” Next year, he’s hoping to remove something again. “I hope we elect a new mayor,” he says.

Co-founders, the New York Independent Venue Organization (NYIVA)

When the National Independent Venue Organization was being founded in the spring to represent shuttered clubs’ and theaters’ efforts to get government relief, Lyon (a promoter) and Kantor (a club owner) made sure a New York state sub-org was formed to give more local interests a voice, too. “As an industry, we never had a trade group,” says Kantor. “In normal times, venues are usually competitors. But people need to know that Live Nation and AEG are almost a completely different industry than we are, particularly because of how dire our situation is” as independents, he adds. “We’re at least in a position now to ask with a unified voice” — and get in front of the governor and NYC mayor, beyond lobbying D.C. They’re realistic that, without quick aid, many venues won’t survive the shutdown. But Lyon says she has “just doubled down on my faith to stay in the industry — which is probably masochistic, but it’s true.”

Partner, WME

Mandel’s client Mary Trump sold 1.35 million copies of her bombshell tome about her uncle Donald Trump and their family, “Too Much and Never Enough,” in its first week, a record for publisher Simon & Schuster. “One never knows how a book will perform — too much gets left to timing, luck, consumer mood, publisher execution and a million other factors. But I did know that the story hadn’t really been told.” Mandel’s clients also include science writer Mary Roach, Pakistani novelist Mohsin Hamid and essayist/novelist Sloane Crosley. One thing he looks for in a book: “Obsession. … the customer ideally must think, ‘I MUST know more about this story or person or thing.’ Hard to have a bestseller without that feeling.”

Founder, the Front

Four years after founding female-led documentary production studio/creative think tank the Front, filmmaker and former Vice executive Mavros is seeing the fruits of her labor roll out: Quibi series “The Sauce” premiered in April, plus, she has two documentaries centered around female issues of abuse and sexuality in the pipeline. One has sold to cable, the other is in the dealmaking process for streaming. In addition, she’s worked closely with National Geographic to help them “reimagine what their offerings could be in digital and broadcast.” Next year she’s most looking forward to diving back into the “magic that New York offers … discovery, spontaneity and closeness.”

Founder, NYC Nightlife United (NNU)

There are organizations like NIVA and NYIVA that represent independent venues that exist below the AEG/Live Nation level. But who represents performance spaces that are even smaller than that? NYC Nightlife United does. And with government relief looking ever out of sight, founder Mora is looking to collect grants for tinier or more localized performance spaces throughout the boroughs … not unlike her own venue, Friends and Lovers, which has introduced artists like Princess Nokia to Brooklyn. “We serve a need in propping up smaller businesses that don’t qualify for some of these bigger aid packages,” she says. “The biggest parameter for the application process is that you are giving back to and really add value to your community.” NNU received so many grant applications that it had to shut the window after a week. But she’s thrilled that corporations are stepping in to contribute and help these local nightspots where government hasn’t. “All of a sudden bigger brands are reaching out to be proactive and say, ‘What do you need from us?’ When we got our first corporate donor, I literally cried.”

Rachel Maddow, Joy Reid, Nicolle Wallace

MSNBC’s new power trio is made up of anchors who have stood very well on their own. Maddow, Reid and Wallace have all enjoyed a growing presence on the NBCUniversal-owned cable-news outlet. Viewers of recent coverage of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, however, saw them utilized in a new configuration — together. On the same set. At the same time. “It’s like watching these events with your sharpest, most fun girlfriends, except we can’t have cocktails,” notes Reid.

Each anchor is familiar to the MSNBC faithful. Maddow has held forth at 9 p.m. for 12 years. Reid recently took over MSNBC’s 7 p.m. slot after building an audience on the weekends. And Wallace, who captured attention by turning a late-afternoon timeslot that isn’t usually the most talked about element on any network’s schedule into a smart-set salon, was recently given a strong vote of confidence — two hours each day. With more on-air time comes more responsibility. Wallace says she is mindful of being precise and intelligent as the 2020 election draws near. “I think it’s incumbent on all of us to not get ahead of the story — that’s our duty to the viewer.”

All three look forward to a day when life returns to some sort of norm. Maddow is eager to sample “fishing the spring run of striped bass in the Hudson and the East River,” but doesn’t think it will be possible until 2022. Reid hopes to visit more friends and restaurants in person. And Wallace would like to take her son to laser tag and baseball games.

Each endorses the idea of working together again. “Any time I can be on with Joy and Nicolle, I’ll be there,” says Maddow. “Co-anchoring coverage with those two is the most fun I’ve had on TV in ages.”

Tom Quinn, CEO/founder; Elissa Federoff, president, distribution; Christina Zisa, president, publicity; Christian Parkes, CMO

For a three-year-old company, Neon has been glowing particularly brightly lately, thanks to a history-making Oscar win for “Parasite,” plus Golden Globe nominee “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” and double Oscar-nominated documentary “Honeyland.” Responding to COVID-19 quarantines, the company made “Spaceship Earth” available on a blank wall in Brooklyn, and partnered with Brooklyn restaurant Locanda Vini & Olli for “Shirley” screenings (via streaming). The team looks forward to the city opening up again so they can get a mani-pedi (Federoff); drunk in a dark bar with friends (Zisa); cycle Central Park (Parkes); and walk the cobblestone streets near their office, heading to lunch at the Crosby Hotel (Quinn).

Host, “The Daily Show With Trevor Noah”

In the five months since “The Daily Social Distancing Show,” as it has been rechristened, first aired from Noah’s home, the program has evolved into a lo-fi but substantive affair. Noah’s guided the Comedy Central staple to not only strong ratings but also cultural relevance. Since its first at-home telecast aired on March 23, Noah and his team have brought on newsmakers sans laughs and delved into all of the issues buffeting the country and the world from the host’s apartment. And the shape that the show has taken in crisis appeals to Noah. He seems liberated by not having to play to a studio audience. “When you make the show with a live audience, you are at the mercy of those people,” he told Variety in August.

Actor

Before Broadway’s shutdown, it was rare that Patten did not receive a standing ovation for her supporting role as Jo in Broadway’s “Jagged Little Pill.” The jukebox musical — told through Alanis Morissette’s discography — tells the stories of residents of a wealthy Connecticut neighborhood and their struggles with sexuality, addiction and assault. “As a country and then as a responsibility of artistic institutions, I think we’re hearing a lot of calls for art to reflect more of what actual life looks like. The show doesn’t shy away from taking a real in-depth look at the things that people are dealing with as a country right now,” she says.

President, Disney Streaming Services

From a former Nabisco factory in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, Paull oversees the global operations center that serves up Disney’s streaming services — including Disney Plus, which rocketed from zero to 60.5 million subscribers in its first nine months. The former Amazon digital video VP leads the teams that designed, built and manage Disney Plus, which in mid-pandemic has continued to launch into new markets in Europe and Asia-Pacific, as well as ESPN Plus. New features Paull’s group created for Disney Plus include the $30 early access “Mulan” release and a new social-viewing option (currently in testing) for streaming TV shows and movies together with friends. Paull also oversees Bamtech Media, which runs baseball’s MLB.TV streaming package.

Actor

Pope’s Broadway debut in 2018 yielded two Tony nominations for his work in “Choir Boy” and as Eddie Kendricks in “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations.” A year later, his television debut in Ryan Murphy’s “Hollywood” earned him an Emmy nod. Next, he tackles film as Sammy Davis Jr. in Janet Mock’s upcoming “Scandalous!” “It’s kind of like falling in love with these people and trying to just do them justice,” he says. “Taking time to acknowledge the great impact that they had on the world and also acknowledging that they were human and had their own struggles.”

Tribeca Enterprises and Tribeca Film Festival Co-founder and CEO

Tribeca was the first big film festival to take to the internet this year as COVID-19 shut down New York City and a big chunk of the world. However, Rosenthal and her team executed a successful pivot to online. “We have experimented with virtual screenings for over 10 years, so one could say that the past experience really helped to inform how we were able to pivot so quickly,” the “Irishman” producer says. “We are debuting a new section in 2021 dedicated to online premieres as part of the official slate, bringing the Tribeca experience and independent film to online audiences.” Also new for Tribeca in 2021: The fest will invite video games to join as official selections and vie for the Tribeca Games Award. She created the global We Are One film festival in partnership with YouTube, which brought together more than 20 festivals to offer free programming for 10 days. She also launched the Tribeca Drive-In in seven markets, and is part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s New York Forward Reopening Advisory Board. As for the future, she is “looking forward to going to a crowded, noisy restaurant with all of my friends.”

“Stars in the House” creators

In a time of quarantine, Sirius XM Broadway host Rudetsky and producer husband Wesley have gone to their strengths: theater, trivia and fundraising. Their daily series “Stars in the House” has brought casts of TV series, Broadway shows and films together virtually for live discussions and performances — and a call for donations to audiences, raising nearly $500,000 for the Actors Fund and other charities over the 200 shows they’ve created since March. “The biggest surprise is that people are still donating even though times are tough,” says Wesley. Once quarantine lifts, they have two goals: game night in their apartment with friends (in person) and an in-store trip to the original Levain Bakery.

Journalist

Off-piste news cycles are now status quo, which makes CNN’s chief media correspondent/“Reliable Sources” anchor infinitely valuable. “Sources” performs strongly with Sunday cable news watchers in the 25-54 demographic. “The mission is to find news in all the noise,” Stelter says. His book “Hoax: Donald Trump, Fox News and the Dangerous Distortion of Truth” became a New York Times bestseller, and he executive produced March’s HBO doc “After Truth: Disinformation and the Cost of Fox News.” Next year, he’s looking forward to more freedom outdoors: “I miss those spontaneous nights walking around the city with my wife without a mask,” he says. “I miss that sense of discovery.”

Founder & CEO UnitedMasters & Translation

Stoute has spent his career pushing for diversity in the music biz and advocating for the Black underdog, but he doesn’t consider racism to be the biggest obstacle. “How could Black music be, by far, the biggest-selling genre, and yet we have so few executives at the top?” he asks rhetorically. “Nepotism is really what’s driving the issue. Heads of record companies hire their friends and their friends’ kids, and it becomes systemic.” UnitedMasters’ aim is to spread the wealth. In July, it launched a new subscription tier that gives its artists 100% of the royalties from digital services, and in the past year, it has cultivated partnerships with TikTok, ESPN and NBA 2K20 to provide more opportunities for its diverse roster. Stoute sees the inroads he’s made not as personal accomplishments but rather within the context of what he and his New Yorker peers — people like Sean Combs and Jay-Z — are doing collectively. “If we continue to build companies and hire diverse people within our company and train them, they will go on to populate their own companies with diverse talent. What we’re doing is fantastic, and we can continue to do more.”

TV host

NFL star-turned-morning host Strahan is a big part of the ABC team, co-hosting “Good Morning America” and “GMA3: Strahan, Sara & Keke,” plus emceeing “$100,000 Pyramid.” But he stays connected to his roots by headlining the Thursday Night Football Pregame Show on Fox and “Fox NFL on Sunday” — all while co-running his SMAC Entertainment. And he’s a designer: Having sold out his Super Bowl Capsule Collection, MSX by Michael Strahan will release team-specific styles for all 32 NFL franchises later this year. “I can’t wait to see a Broadway show in 2021,” he says.

Actor

Warren is all but a Tony Award shoo-in for her performance in the titular role of “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical.” But recently, her focus has been the Broadway Advocacy Coalition, which she co-founded in 2016 in response to the Black Lives Matter movement. “You were in front of a sea of white faces in the theater, and then you weren’t sure if those white faces cared about you as a person, cared about your life,” she says. “We are experiencing a shift in consciousness. … We’ve been talking about diversity and inclusivity for some years. Now we’re talking about action.”

Director

Wolfe was in post on a screen adaptation of August Wilson’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” for Netflix when the pandemic shut down New York City. “I was forced to go from being obsessive and driven, to standing still,” he says via email. “Not an easy transition, but in standing still I was  afforded time to think and listen, which freed me to start writing, which in turn helped me rediscover that anger and rage are fuel for taking action, not a goal unto themselves.” Wolfe, along with Ruben Santiago, made some changes to the script. “In as much as I have a deep respect for August Wilson and reverence for his writing, a healthy dose of irreverence is essential in order to honor the material by making it soar.” He is looking forward to “cursing out a bunch of gawking tourists as I fight to cross 7th Avenue in the mid-40s at 7:45 [p.m.], because that means the theater district in its entirety is finally alive again.”