Richard Wesley was born in 1945, in Newark, New Jersey, where he still resides. He is a graduate of Howard University, where he earned a B.F.A. degree. He is a former writer-in-residence at the New Lafayette Theatre, in Harlem, and also served as Managing Editor of “Black Theatre” magazine, published by New Lafayette. He is the author of several plays, including THE BLACK TERROR and GETTIN’ IT TOGETHER, both produced at New York’s noted Public Theatre; STRIKE HEAVEN IN THE FACE, which was presented as part of the 1973 Phoenix Theatre Showcase Series; THE PAST IS THE PAST and GOIN’ THROUGH CHANGES, which were presented at the Billie Holiday Theatre; THE MIGHTY GENTS, first produced in 1974 at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center; and THE SIRENS, first produced in 1974 at the Manhattan Theatre Club. Mr. Wesley received the Drama Desk Award for his play THE BLACK TERROR, and was the recipient of a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation which enabled him to serve as writer-in-residence at the New Federal Theatre, under Woodie King. He is a member of the National Playwrights Conference (1974), and has authored the screenplays “Uptown Saturday Night” (1974), which starred Sidney Poitier, Bill Cosby, Harry Belafonte, and Richard Pryor; “Let’s Do It Again” (1975), which also starred Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby; “Fast Forward” (1985), directed by Sidney Poitier; and “Native Son” (1986), starring Oprah Winfrey, Victor Love, and Matt Dillon.
