MAIESHA McQUEEN, coming straight off the heels of playing the iconic role of Celie in The Color Purple to sold-out audiences, is a multi-faceted performer and creative, as well as a proud Atlanta native. She also recently completed a highly successful run of AINT MISBEHAVIN’ at Barrington Stage, which was hailed as a New York Times Critic’s Pick in 2022. Before that, she starred on Broadway alongside Sara Bareilles in the hit musical, WAITRESS. Shortly after, she performed to sold-out audiences in a one-woman show, embodying the life and music of Mahalia Jackson. Other notable theatre credits include: Fannie, Until the Flood, The Color Purple, His Eye is on the Sparrow, Ain’t Misbehavin’, ‘Da Kink In My Hair, Sirens of Song, Chasin’ Dem Blues, East Texas Hotlinks.

Maiesha previously traveled the globe as co-founder and musical composer of the touring company Progress Theatre, whose work has been presented at such spaces as The Public Theater, The Kennedy Center, The Apollo Theatre and the World Music Festival in Amsterdam. She has also served as music director for theatrical productions such as FELA!, In the Red and Brown Water, and Crowns.

As a former certified teacher who has worked for over two decades in the educational sector, Maiesha continues to offer workshops and professional development for working actors and arts educators across the country. She is a proud graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and Fordham University’s Graduate School of Education and serves as Creative Director of the arts education program, A Bite Out of Broadway.

Maiesha is also the executive director of The Lucy Project, a production company that seeks to create opportunities for Black women to develop new works.