THEODORE WARD (1902–1983) was born in Thibodaux, Louisiana. In 1935, he moved to Chicago, Illinois, and began working for the Works Progress Administration in the Federal Theatre Project. He produced his most famous play, Big White Fog, in Chicago in 1938, and then formed the Negro Playwrights Company in 1940 to produce the play in New York City. Ward’s plays were political and dealt with subjects such as Garveyism, anti-Semitism, colorism in the Black community, the effects of racism, and the appeal of Communism. Works include Sick and Tiahd, Big White Fog, Even the Dead Arise, Deliver the Goods, Our Lan’, John Brown, The Daubers, Candle in the Wind, The Creole, Whole Hog or Nothing, Challenge, Skin Deep, Shout Hallelujah, Falcon of Adowa, Throwback, Charity, and John de Conqueror.
Bio as of 7/2025