Shaunielle Perry

Shauneille Perry (July 26 1929 –) is an American stage director and playwright.

Biography

Shaunielle Perry was born in 1929 in Chicago, daughter of Graham Perry, an attorney and his wife, Pearl. After Vinnette Carroll, she became one of the first African American woman to direct on the New York stage. She is perhaps best known for staging the original Off-Broadway production of J.E. Franklin's play, Black Girl, that was later made into a film, directed by Ossie Davis.

In addition to directing, she has also written several plays.

She is a first cousin of playwright Lorraine Hansberry. Her father was the younger brother of Nannie Louise Perry, Lorraine Hansberry's mother. Lorraine and Shaunielle were almost like best friends and as little girls, used to visit the farm where their respective parents grew up. Shaunielle was there when Lorraine had cancer and supported her.

Perry is married and has three children. Her eldest child was named Lorraine in honor of her famous cousin.

External links

* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0675292/ Internet Movie Database]
* [http://www.theatredb.com/QPerson.php?pid=p023131 Internet Theatre Database]