Kibibi Monie

KIBIBI MONIÉ

Kibibi is a native of Seattle and the Executive & Artistic Director of Nu Black Arts West Theatre the oldest African American Theater Company in Washington State. Ms Monié is the first African American to be President of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (A.F.T.R.A.) Seattle local. She is an accomplished writer, actor, singer and director. She's a graduate of Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington with a BA in Communications, holds a Masters from the Seattle University in the Executive Director Master Program and holds a diploma in cinematography from The New York Film Academy. She's written several one-act plays and her dynamic range of acting and singing has made her one of the most powerful talents to emerge from the Pacific Northwest. Ms. Monié has been blessed with a captivating talent in storytelling and is legendary for capturing her audiences with grace and style. Kibibi is the only woman that has had the privilege and honor of directing the double Pulitzer prize winner August Wilson in a reading of his play “The Homecoming” performed at Seattle’s A Contemporary Theatre as a fund raiser for Nu Black Arts West Theatre in 1997. She is also the only woman to be given permission by Mr. Wilson to portray “Hambone, a lead character in his award winning play ”Two Trains Running’. Kibibi is a Nana for the Cape Coast people in Ghana West Africa and for several years has been in partnership with The National Theatre of Ghana and the Twedaase Primary School in Tema, Ghana. She’s developed a Cultural Heritage Program for the children of Ghana as well as the children here in the US. Very few people can say they've had the pleasure and honor of working with such greats as; Stevie Wonder, Billy Preston, Kenny G, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Roy Ayres, Hank Crawford, Brenda Holloway, Major Lance, Woodie Woodlouse, Floyd Standifer, Rufus Chandler, Martha Reeves and the Vandelas, The Dave Lewis Orchestra, and countless other famed entertainers but Kibibi sure can. During the late sixties to late eighties this was a great part of the company entwined inside Ms. Monie's world. …