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In Memoriam: Woodie King Jr.
Woodie King Jr. accepts a Doctor of Humane Letters from Lehman president Ricardo Fernández and Professor Fred Phelps at the 1996 Commencement ceremony. (Photo: Jason Green)
February 4, 2026
Woodie King Jr. ’96, a pioneering figure in American theatre and a longtime member of the Lehman College community, passed away on January 29 at the age of 88. After establishing the New Federal Theatre in 1970, King later enrolled in Lehman College’s Adult Degree Program, where he focused on Theatre and Black Studies and earned his bachelor’s degree in 1996. He remained closely connected to Lehman throughout his career, and in 2008 the College awarded him an honorary doctorate in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the arts.
Founded by King, the New Federal Theatre became a vital platform for Black playwrights, directors, and performers. Under his leadership, the company served as an incubator for groundbreaking works, including for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf by Ntozake Shange. The company’s first production was Black Girl by J.E. Franklin, directed by Shauneille Perry—both of whom were members of the Lehman faculty at points in their careers. King and the New Federal Theatre helped launch and support the careers of numerous artists, including Denzel Washington, Phylicia Rashad, and Chadwick Boseman.
King’s legacy includes induction into the American Theatre Hall of Fame and receipt of the Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre, among many other awards recognizing his work to expand access and opportunity in the performing arts.
In addition to his Lehman degree, King earned an M.F.A. in Theatre from Brooklyn College. He is remembered as a producer, director, mentor, and advocate whose influence continues to resonate across generations of theatre artists.