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Laurence Holder is a playwright who focuses on the African-American experience. His plays often center historical African-American figures including Malcolm X, Elijah Muhammad, Thelonius Monk, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Zora Neale Hurston. He received a 1998-1999 Otto Rene Castillo award for political theatre. Holder’s work has been performed at the Henry Street Settlement New Federal Theatre, the Ford Theatre, the American Place Theatre, and more. His work has been reviewed by The New York Times and the Washington Post among others. In addition to being a playwright, Holder teaches English at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

When the Chickens Come Home to Roost
An off Broadway play performed in 1981 at the New Federal Theatre, featuring pre-fame Denzel Washington as Malcolm X and Kirk Kirksey as Elijah Muhammad.<ref

Zora Neale Hurston
Off-Broadway play about the early 20th century writer starring Elizabeth Van Dyke and Tim Johnson and directed by Wynn Handiman. Shown at the American Place Theatre on West 46th Street in Manhattan.

Their Eyes Were Watching God
Off-Broadway play adapted from Zora Neale Hurston’s novel Their Eyes Were Watching God; directed by Marishka S. Phillips and starring Lauren Marissa Smith. Held at the Wow Cafe Theatre in New York.

“Monk”
Off-Broadway one-man show starring Rome Neal as Thelonious Monk performed at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe. Directed by Holder and Neal. Assistant director, Jennifer Cummings. Lighting by Neal. Executive producer, Miguel Algarin. Production stage manager and sound by Triple-5 (William J. Vila). Jechibea Adu-Peasah on set design. This play has been reviewed by The New York Amsterdam News.

Awards and honors
1998-1999 Otto Rene Castillo Award for Political Theatre

Garland Anderson Award from the National Black Arts Festival New York Foundation Grant

AUDELCO Best Writer Award for "M: The Mandela Saga"

AUDELCO Award for drama Off and Off Off Broadway presented at CCNY’s Aaron Davis Hall (1981) for "When the Chickens Come Home to Roost"