Ways and means
Ways and Means is a powerful play that shines a light on the often-overlooked African American women who fueled the Black liberation struggle through tireless fundraising and resource mobilization. Through gripping storytelling and dynamic characters, we delve into the unseen world of socialite philanthropy, where women with social ambition build their reputations on caring for charitable causes, while also navigating economic barriers and building networks of support that sustained movements that changed history. Their sacrifices, resilience, and strategic brilliance take center stage, honoring the vital role of Black women in financing freedom. 'Cause freedom isn't - and ain't never been - free.
Presented as a developmental Workshop Production.
PLAYWRIGHT
Nikkole Salter is an award winning actress, playwright, educator and arts advocate. For her work she has received the OBIE, a Helen Hayes, an Outer Critics Circle Award, a Global Tolerance Award from the Friends of the United Nations a Selfdes-Kanin fellowship from the Theatre Hall of Fame, and most recently a Lily Award for her contributions to the betterment of the theatre field. Next up, she can be seen on stage at Arena Stage in their world premiere production of Tarell Alvin McCraney's WE ARE GATHERED. She is a graduate of Howard University and NYU. She is the current Chair of the Theatre Arts Department in the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University. www.nikkolesalter.com
DIRECTOR
Lisa Strum - is a multi-hyphenated theatre practitioner/artist. Actor Credits include: DREAM, GIRL! (original solo show), Apollo Theatre & The Public Theatre; DEATH OF A SALESMAN, Broadway; KING LEAR & SOUND OF MUSIC, Utah Shakespeare Festival. Directing Credits: FALL, Ensemble Studio Theatre, TORN ASUNDER, Luna Stage, RAISIN IN THE SUN, Bristol Riverside Theatre. Awards: Young Howze Theatre Award for “Mind Blowing Shortie” of the Year for her play, BY THE WAY…; Finalist for the Doric Wilson Playwright Award; Recipient of the Djerassi Resident Artists Program; Nominated for a Best Actress New York Innovative Theatre Award; Received a United Solo Festival Best Solo Show Award for her play, SHE GON’ LEARN; Received a Broadway World Best Actress Award for her performance of Rose in FENCES at the REP. Lisa’s University and College productions have been the recipient of five Kennedy Center College Theatre Festival Awards.
CURATOR & PRODUCER
Antu Yacob was born in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia and raised in San Francisco and Minnesota. She is
an actor, filmmaker, playwright and producer. As an Associate Producer with Project Y Theatre,
she curates All Hands on Deck, a commission series of new plays by female writers of the
African diaspora.
Her film Love in Submission was part of the Full Spectrum Features’ collection: Our Right to
Gaze: Black Film Identities. The collection served as a case study in the diversity in Hollywood
forum at Sundance 2021. The film screened in various festivals including New York African Film
Festival, Women of the Lens (UK) and received an Honorable Mention in the Black Muslim Girl
Fly Festival.
As a playwright, Antu’s play On My Deen, will premiere at InterAct Theatre (Philadelphia) in
June 2025. She is a cohort of The Fire This Time Festival’s New Works Lab Cycle 4. Her plays
have been produced by Kampala International Theatre Festival (Uganda), United Solo Theatre
Festival, Project Y Theatre, Theatre167 and Mile Square Theatre.
As an actor, her on screen credits include Rob Peace (written/directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor),
Jelly (2023 ABFF/HBO Short Film Award winner), Night Comes On, “Inventing Anna”, “The
Other Two”, “Daredevil”, “Gypsy”, “Law & Order: SVU”, Adieu Lacan, Signs of Aging, Brooklyn
Park, Conjure. Her stage credits include work with The Fire This Time Festival, American Slavery
Project, Primary Stages, Sheen Center, Crossroads Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Luna Stage,
North Carolina Black Repertory, Peterborough Players, Cincinnati Playhouse, Philadelphia
Theatre Co, Mixed Blood Theatre, Pangea World Theatre and Pillsbury House Theatre. Her voice
can be heard on the Druid Hills episode of Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History and the
audiobook Addis Ababa Noir by Maaza Mengiste.
She earned an MFA in Acting from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University.