About Daniel Carlton

Actor, playwright, director, poet, storyteller, historian, and teaching artist. Daniel Carlton creates work that connects performance, history, rhythm, and community across generations.

Writing & original work

Playwriting and directing projects include Keep Marching and Freedom Flight for Mad River Theater Works, March On with Blackberry Productions, and PigFoot Mary's Harlem Renaissance, produced by First Woman.

Solo and history-centered work includes Timeless Journeys, commissioned by Weeksville Heritage Society; Check Yo Invite, Parts 1 & 2 at Harlem Stage; The Eagle in Harlem for SummerStage Family; and When Smalls Had It All, connected with the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival and Jazzmobile.

Creative collaborations

With Nambi E. Kelley, Daniel co-wrote Hidden Inside for Keen Teens, published by Concord Theatricals; This Ability for Chicago Children's Theatre; and So Journey to the Truth for Syracuse Stage and regional touring. Other collaborations include A Whistle in Mississippi with Michael Green and Finding North with David Gonzalez.

Directing & dramaturgy

Directing credits include Jabari Dreams of Freedom at the New Victory Theater and on national tour, its digital adaptation, Freedom Riders for Mad River Theater Works, What If…? by Cynthia Grace Robinson, and The House of the Negro Insane for the Negro Ensemble Company at 59E59 Theaters.

Dramaturgy collaborations include Dance for a Variable Population's Revival 6, 7, and 8, and Dance Iquail's Public Enemy, Pushers, and Black Swan.

Teaching & community

Daniel's educational practice includes Ailey Camp, HB Studios NY, Apollo Theater Education, and co-creating Mad River Theater Camp. His work reaches theaters, classrooms, museums, hospitals, shelters, senior centers, and correctional facilities.

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