The mission of Helena-Joyce & Works In Progress Productions is to develop and produce exceptional dramatic works for stage and screen, demonstrating excellence in the creation of both the ‘show’ and the ‘business’.

Helena-Joyce Wright is the creative force behind Works In Progress Productions and is well respected in the industry for her ability to recognize burgeoning trends in the industry. Ms. Wright was an early champion of ABG and its star and creator, Issa Rae. Ms. Wright brings
an extensive background in all forms of theatre, including performance, writing, directing and producing to her role as creative director. As an actress, Ms. Wright began her career co-starring with industry greats Ruby Dee & Ossie Davis in the Emmy Award winning ZORA! IS MY NAME, who discovered her while she was still a student at Spelman College.

Ms. Wright made her Broadway debut in the musical version of, AMEN CORNER! THE MUSICAL where she worked closely with renowned author, James Baldwin, in the creation of the character Sister Boxer. Her renowned work includes:

  • National tours with Carol Channing in the Broadway hit JERRY’S GIRLS;
  • National and international acclaim for her portrayal of Billie Holiday in the one woman show, LADY DAY at Emerson’s Bar & Grill;
  • Creator of the role of Katisha in the HOT MIKADO for which she received the prestigious Helen Hayes Award nomination as best actress in a musical;
  • And, numerous regional and off-Broadway productions, including several under the Founding Artistic Director of the Public Theatre, Joseph Papp.

An award winning writer, Ms. Wright was the recipient of The Detroit News Writing Award in short stories. Ms. Wright is currently adapting AMEN CORNER! THE MUSICAL and other initiatives include:

  • SCREENPLAYS: THE DIVA MOM, SHE CAME FROM THE EASTALWAYS STRANGER THAN FICTION, A BREAK IN BEING;
  • STAGE PLAY: ALL THE PARTS I EVER WANTED TO PLAY BUT COULDN’T CAUSE I WUZ BLACK, BROWN-SKINNED! BUT CUTE?;
  • AND, E’LAN AND DAMONE: A TRUE LOVE STORY OF THE BROADWAY STAGE OR…DUELING DIVAS.

As the former Artistic Director for the Oakland (CA) Ensemble Theatre, Ms. Wright, in conjunction with Ossie Davis, Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, for Three Amigos, and Woodie King, Jr., produced Ruby Dee’s one woman hit, My One Good Nerve.
Ms. Wright also created an internationally acclaimed youth theatre comprised of former students who are now flourishing on Broadway, in TV and Film, and in various theatre programs nation-wide.

Ms. Wright attended Howard University’s School of Communications before transferring to Spelman College, where she
graduated with high honors, in Theatre and Journalism. She also, ‘did her graduate studies in Musical Theatre & Directing. at
the University of Houston and at the University of Southern California, where she studied under the renowned John Houseman
and John Blankenship. Ms. Wright credits Mr. James W. Butcher (Central School of Speech and Drama/University of London)
for the excellent foundation she received in the classics and legitimate theatre. Ms. Wright has taught Masters Classes across the country and abroad, most recently at the Tony-Award winning Alliance Theatre in Atlanta. Ms. Wright holds numerous directing credits, awards and honors, among them, two command performances at the White House.

Please visit our website, www.helena-joyce.com, for more information.