Danielle Drakes

Biography

Danielle A. Drakes is a theatre practitioner with experience in performance, directing, producing and administration. She has lived and worked in the Washington, D.C. area for more than 18 years and has dedicated her career to using theatre as a tool for envisioning a more empathetic and equitable society. As an actor, she blends living history with social impact. As an artistic doula she has supported solo performance artists on their creative journeys from idea to execution with care. She developed and directed Paige Hernandez’s solo shows “Paige in Full” and “Havana Hop” and both continue to tour nationally and internationally. Her work on Dane Edidi's “Klytmnestra: An Epic Slam Poem” earned her a Helen Hayes Award nod for outstanding direction.
 
Most recently, she directed two world premiere productions: “The Wilting Point” at Keegan Theatre and “Ghost/Writer” at Rep Stage. Additional professional credits include The Kennedy Center and Ford’s Theatre, where she originated the role of Elizabeth Keckley in “History on Foot” (also recipient of the Helen Hayes, The Washington Post Award). 
 
Danielle is on the leadership team for KCACTF Region 2 as the SDC coordinator. She is a member of DC’s Taffety Punk Theatre Company, Actors' Equity Association and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. She received her B.A. in Theatre from Goucher College and an MFA in Acting from The Catholic University of America.