Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 14, 2026

Ro Reddick

Ro Reddick is an American playwright and composer, who won the 2026 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize along with playwright Hannah Doran. She received the 2026 Outer Critics Circle John Gassner Award for Playwriting for her play, Cold War Choir Practice.

Last revised
Jun 14, 2026
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Wikipedia ↗
Ro Reddick
EducationBrown University
OccupationsPlaywright; composer
AwardsSusan Smith Blackburn Prize
Websiteronicareddick.com

Ro Reddick is an American playwright and composer,1 who won the 2026 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize along with playwright Hannah Doran.2 She received the 2026 Outer Critics Circle John Gassner Award for Playwriting for her play, Cold War Choir Practice.3

Career

Reddick grew up in Syracuse, New York and participated in children's choir.4 She was awarded an Master of Fine Arts by Brown University.5

Reddick's play Cold War Choir Practice was inspired by Reddick's upbringing, taking place in her hometown of Syracuse during the Cold War 1980s, which she grew up in.4 Set in 1987 during the Cold War, it follows a young black girl who joins a peace choir.67 It was described by Benedict Lombe, who was one of the prize judges as "writing that is alive and audacious”.2 Time Out reviewed the 2026 Off-Broadway production at MCC Theater: the play was described as an "offbeat dark comedy" to which Reddick brought a "brand of ridiculous [that] adds a current of racial conflict".1The New Yorker described Cold War Choir Practice as "absurdist"8, and The New York Times named the play a Critic's Pick.9

The play won a 2026 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize by the theatre company Clubbed Thumb.21 She won the 2026 Outer Critics Circle John Gassner Award for playwriting, and was also nominated for the 2026 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Play, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play and Outstanding Music in a Play.101112

She is an artist-in-residence at the Vineyard Theatre as well as an Audrey Resident at New Georges.13

Personal life

She is queer.14

Plays

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2026 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize Cold War Choir Practice Won 16
Lucille Lortel Award Outstanding Play Nominated 17
Drama League Award Outstanding Production of a Play Nominated 1819
Outer Critics Circle Award John Gassner Award Won 202122
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Play Nominated 23
Outstanding Music in a Play Nominated
Dorian Award Outstanding Off-Broadway Play Pending 2425
References

References

  1. Feldman, Adam. "Cloak and dagger and roller skates in Cold War Choir Practice (★★★★)". Time Out New York. Archived from the original on 2026-03-12. Retrieved 2026-04-19.
  2. Wiegand, Chris (2026-02-26). "Playwrights' 'thrilling' debuts share the Susan Smith Blackburn prize". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-04-19.
  3. "Announcing the 2026 Outer Critics Circle winners: Full list". Broadway News. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  4. Tran, Diep (March 12, 2026). "Ro Reddick Doesn't Mind If You Laugh During Cold War Choir Practice". Playbill. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
  5. "Ro Reddick '24 MFA wins Susan Smith Blackburn Prize for Cold War Choir Practice | Theatre Arts & Performance Studies | Brown University". taps.brown.edu. Retrieved 2026-04-19.
  6. Chackerian, Emily (2026-02-23). "The Cold War is Hot: Two New Plays Find Theatricality in Bizarre Conflict | The Brooklyn Rail". brooklynrail.org. Retrieved 2026-04-19.
  7. Collins-Hughes, Laura (2025-06-24). "'Cold War Choir Practice' Review: When the President Made a Deal". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-04-19.
  8. Sargeant, Winthrop (1953-12-19). "Berlioz and Bizet". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 2026-04-19.
  9. Collins-Hughes, Laura (June 24, 2025). "'Cold War Choir Practice' Review: When the President Made a Deal". The New York Times. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  10. Evans, Greg (2026-04-01). "Lucille Lortel Award Nominees Include John Krasinski, Amber Ruffin, Sia". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  11. "2026 Nominees". Lucille Lortel Awards. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  12. "Schmigadoon!, Ragtime Win Big at 2026 Outer Critics Circle Awards; Read the Full List of Winners". Playbill. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  13. "Ronica Reddick". Ronica Reddick. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  14. "Ro Reddick". Ro Reddick. Retrieved 2026-04-19.
  15. "Plays". Ronica Reddick. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  16. "2026". The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
  17. "MEXODUS and PRINCE F*GGOT Lead 2026 Lucille Lortel Nominations". BroadwayWorld. April 1, 2026. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
  18. Gans, Andrew (April 20, 2026). "2026 Drama League Awards Nominations Are Out; Read the Full List". Playbill. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  19. Hipes, Patrick (April 20, 2026). "Daniel Radcliffe, Luke Evans Among Drama League Award Nominees". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  20. "Outer Critics Circle Award 2026 Nominations". New York Theater. April 21, 2026. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  21. "Announcing the 2026 Outer Critics Circle winners: Full list". Broadway News. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  22. "Schmigadoon!, Ragtime Win Big at 2026 Outer Critics Circle Awards; Read the Full List of Winners". Playbill. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  23. Culwell-Block, Logan (April 29, 2026). "Beau, Mexodus Lead 2026 Drama Desk Award Nominations; Read the Full List Here". Playbill. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  24. Abourizk, Michael (May 13, 2026). "Dorian Theater Awards announces 2026 nominees". Broadway News. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  25. Mandell, Jonathan (May 13, 2026). "2026 Dorian Theater Award Nominations: Schmigadoon, Lost Boys lead". New York Theater. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
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