Actor-Playwright Eric Lockley is making it his personal mission to inspire young urban audiences into action.
The Harlem based artist is fresh off performing his original one-man show, “Asking For More,” at the renowned Apollo Theater. As part of the recent Healthy Soul Festival, Eric was looking to shed some light (and humor) on the complex issues of health and diet affecting the African-American community. To assist his efforts, he earned the support of Harlem Stage’s Fund for New Work grant and teamed up with Jonathan McCrory, Director of Theatre Arts Programming at The National Black Theatre, to direct the production.
But, Eric's not done. The next stop in his motivational charge will be at the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta, starring in the premiere of “Game On.” With performances on September 26 & 27 at the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center at Morehouse College, the show introduces a young girl on the verge of discovering that virtual reality is no match for real life. Created by middle school students, the new works was co-commissioned by Hi-ARTS, the National Black Arts Festival and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Then, Eric will take his talents and his message to the Cleveland Playhouse to star in celebrated playwright Idris Goodwin’s “How We Got On.” Running October 24 through November 16, the period piece explores hip-hop, friendship and big dreams through an uplifting lyrical journey of growing up and self discovery.
“Through my work I want to encourage young people to be ambitious and to value a diligent work ethic. All three of these pieces highlight that things don’t always come easily but with self-determination, hard-work and faith so many things are possible,” Eric explained.
Previously, Eric starred alongside Tony Award Winner Cleavant Derricks, Tony Todd, Brenda Pressley and Shamika Cotton in the Denver Center Theatre Company’s world premiere of Marcus Gardley's new play, “BLACK ODYSSEY.” He also partnered with MPAACT Theater Company in Chicago to premiere his original play, “WITHOUT TRACE”; and he was the lead in Jamal Hodge’s notable short film, “Knockout Game,” about a group of teens who must learn the consequences of knocking out unsuspecting strangers.
Eric has received high-praise for his work earning an Obie Award, a Theatre Hall of Fame Fellowship Grant and a National Theatre Conference Emerging Professional Award amongst other awards and honors. He graduated from the illustrious NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA and a double major in Africana Studies. In addition, he is a performer, playwright and producer within The Movement Theatre Company and the producing collective, Harlem 9; and he has appeared on MTV’s television pilot “Failosophy.”
For more information visit: link
The Harlem based artist is fresh off performing his original one-man show, “Asking For More,” at the renowned Apollo Theater. As part of the recent Healthy Soul Festival, Eric was looking to shed some light (and humor) on the complex issues of health and diet affecting the African-American community. To assist his efforts, he earned the support of Harlem Stage’s Fund for New Work grant and teamed up with Jonathan McCrory, Director of Theatre Arts Programming at The National Black Theatre, to direct the production.
But, Eric's not done. The next stop in his motivational charge will be at the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta, starring in the premiere of “Game On.” With performances on September 26 & 27 at the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center at Morehouse College, the show introduces a young girl on the verge of discovering that virtual reality is no match for real life. Created by middle school students, the new works was co-commissioned by Hi-ARTS, the National Black Arts Festival and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Then, Eric will take his talents and his message to the Cleveland Playhouse to star in celebrated playwright Idris Goodwin’s “How We Got On.” Running October 24 through November 16, the period piece explores hip-hop, friendship and big dreams through an uplifting lyrical journey of growing up and self discovery.
“Through my work I want to encourage young people to be ambitious and to value a diligent work ethic. All three of these pieces highlight that things don’t always come easily but with self-determination, hard-work and faith so many things are possible,” Eric explained.
Previously, Eric starred alongside Tony Award Winner Cleavant Derricks, Tony Todd, Brenda Pressley and Shamika Cotton in the Denver Center Theatre Company’s world premiere of Marcus Gardley's new play, “BLACK ODYSSEY.” He also partnered with MPAACT Theater Company in Chicago to premiere his original play, “WITHOUT TRACE”; and he was the lead in Jamal Hodge’s notable short film, “Knockout Game,” about a group of teens who must learn the consequences of knocking out unsuspecting strangers.
Eric has received high-praise for his work earning an Obie Award, a Theatre Hall of Fame Fellowship Grant and a National Theatre Conference Emerging Professional Award amongst other awards and honors. He graduated from the illustrious NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA and a double major in Africana Studies. In addition, he is a performer, playwright and producer within The Movement Theatre Company and the producing collective, Harlem 9; and he has appeared on MTV’s television pilot “Failosophy.”
For more information visit: link