D. Wambui Richardson shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
D. Wambui, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I am walking a path—but I allow space to wander. Every now and then, a fork appears, offering choices that lead to growth, challenge, and self-discovery—sometimes positive, sometimes difficult. My aim has always been to return to the path.
Since my teenage years, I’ve known I wanted to be an Artistic Director. But life, as it does, introduced detours: children, Hurricane Katrina, financial uncertainty, personal loss, and increasing responsibilities. Still, by grace, I’ve remained committed to the journey.
Now, after seven seasons as Artistic Director of Jubilee Theatre, a new path is emerging—one that leads to Executive Artistic Leadership.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m D. Wambui Richardson, Executive Artistic Director of Jubilee Theatre. Our mission is to amplify the African American experience and unite a multicultural community by celebrating the richness of our heritage through powerful theatrical works.
At the heart of Jubilee are our core values, expressed through F.I.R.E.:
Foster a Multicultural Community: We aim to spark cross-cultural dialogue and deepen mutual understanding through shared artistic experiences.
Inspire and Invest in Artists: We are committed to nurturing emerging talent—actors, directors, designers, and playwrights—throughout the DFW area.
Reflect the African American Experience: We believe African American stories are American stories. Our work highlights this truth, creating space for universal connection and resonance across all communities.
Elevate New Works: We support the development of new plays and build pipelines that connect artists to theatres across the country.
What makes Jubilee Theatre unique is our ability to serve as a cultural hub—a place where people from all walks of life come together to laugh, cry, engage, and explore. In doing so, we deepen the meaning of community and enrich its value.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
After earning my BA in Speech Communications and Theatre Arts from Dillard University, I decided to take a short break before heading to graduate school. With guidance from my mentor, I secured a position as a Directing Fellow with a prestigious, Tony Award–winning theatre in New Brunswick, NJ. It was a dream opportunity—the kind of step every young artist hopes for.
After securing temporary housing, I said an emotional goodbye to New Orleans, my grandmother, and my mentor, and set off for New Jersey. The morning after my arrival, I made my way to the theatre. I didn’t pay much attention to the notes taped to the door—messages like “Save ________,” “Oprah, where are you?” and “Step up”—clearly written by concerned community members. I rang the buzzer, introduced myself as the new Directing Fellow, and was buzzed in. Inside, the building was eerily quiet. I was led to a small room where a handful of remaining staff members sat. It was then I learned the truth: the theatre was closing. I no longer had a job.
In the chaos of their closure, no one had thought to notify me. I had uprooted my life, spent my last dollar, moved to a community where I knew no one—and now I had to figure out what to do next. For the next few days, I was allowed to remain at the theatre and even picked up some technical work on the side from the Technical Director and build crew. Though this experience was devastating, it became one of the most valuable lessons of my career. I learned firsthand how critical it is for leadership and Boards to make fiscally sound, mission driven decisions, and how deeply those decisions impact staff, the community, and stakeholders.
Now, 20 years later, I serve as the Artistic Director—newly titled Executive Artistic Director—of Jubilee Theatre. That change in title came after our own leadership faced a series of difficult lessons. Missteps in governance had led to Jubilee losing its tax-exempt status—something that could have been a death sentence for a nonprofit organization.
However, unlike the theatre where my career began, our story did not end there. By working closely with our Board, staff, and accountants, we successfully regained our tax-exempt status. More importantly, we committed ourselves to strengthening our leadership practices to protect our mission, staff, and the community we serve. Today, we continue to work tirelessly to maintain and grow the trust of our donors, stakeholders, and audiences.
This experience has solidified my resolve: Jubilee Theatre will always put the needs of the organization, its people, and its community first—making decisions that ensure our long-term health and artistic legacy.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
As I mentioned earlier, about three months ago our organization learned that we had lost our tax-exempt status. There were several contributing factors: the passing of our long-time Managing Director, a two-year period of transition with several interim Managing Directors, the release of our most recent Managing Director, and a mid-audit switch in accounting firms. Combined with the demands of daily operations, these circumstances led to Jubilee Theatre missing its required IRS filings for three consecutive seasons.
Now, as I enter my 8th season with Jubilee Theatre, I have grown accustomed to stepping beyond my role as Artistic Leader to provide managerial leadership when needed. Receiving the IRS notice was heartbreaking; however, when you have a staff that depends on you and bills that need to be paid, there is no time for anger or avoidance.
Instead, we came together—board, staff, and leadership—rolled up our sleeves, and got the job done. I am proud to say that we have regained our tax-exempt status. More importantly, we are using this moment as an opportunity for reflection, assessment, and strategic planning to ensure a stronger, more resilient Jubilee Theatre moving forward.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I believe that the arts should provoke thought, ignite change, and reveal the core of our shared humanity. My chosen medium is theatre. I am a storyteller, and I use stories to bring communities together through the shared exploration of the human condition.
When you can bring a room full of perfect strangers together—creating a space for them to laugh, cry, and question side by side—you have the power to inspire change. As an artistic leader, my commitment is to always be an agent of that change, because through change we can grow, connect, and create a more compassionate world for our children to inherit.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
First and foremost, I pray that day is far in the future. I want to be here long enough to share love and wisdom with my grandchildren, perhaps even my great-grandchildren.
When that time comes, I simply pray that I am missed. I don’t need to be mourned heavily, though I understand that tears are often the sign of having been loved. If people shed them, I hope it’s because I made a meaningful impact on their lives.
I would want to be remembered humbly and sincerely—as a son, a brother, a father, an educator, and an artist—someone who gave of himself, shared his gifts, and left the world a little better than he found it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://JubileeTheatre.org
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-wambui-richardson-50bb8834/
- Other: https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/organization/JubileeTheatre
Image Credits
The Movement Poster by Na’Tori Harris – Jackson.
