Winning the NAACP National Playwriting Award (Creating original artwork) – Jordan Fischer

 

This photo comes from the stage of the National NAACP ACT-SO Competition. This summer, when I competed with my original play, The Hair-apist, I didn’t expect how deeply the experience would shape my understanding of storytelling and purpose. Writing and performing my own work pushed me to think critically about how art can reflect lived experiences, challenge perceptions, and create dialogue across communities.

Winning the National Playwriting Award reminded me that creativity is more than self-expression, it is a form of scholarship. Every line of the play came from reflection and research, drawing on themes of identity, community, and healing. Seeing those ideas resonate with others showed me the impact of writing that speaks to truth.

This experience also strengthened my connection to Spelman’s intellectual community by reinforcing the value of using art as both an academic and cultural contribution. It motivated me to continue creating work that uplifts voices often left unheard and to see theatre not only as performance, but as a platform for change.