Outstanding Leadership in Queens
2008 Honoree of the Queens Federation of Churches

Joyce Sylvester

Joyce Sylvester was the first recipient of the August Wilson Playwright’s Audelco Award in 2005 for her 5th play A Freeman’s Hope. The author of Mercedes, Grace In The Light, Faith On Line and Freeda Peoples, she received a 2004 Proclamation from the Brooklyn Borough President, Marty Markowitz for her acclaimed production of Freeda Peoples and is the recipient of a 2003 Audelco Award for Faith On Line for Best Playwright. Faith On Line and Freeda Peoples had the high honor of being selected for production at the National Black Theatre Festival in Winston Salem, North Carolina in 2003 and 2005. She is also the recipient of the 2005 Restorations Founder Award for Excellence in the Arts.

Having studied with great legendary playwrights, Douglas Turner Ward, Steve Carter, Ed Bullins and Leslie Lee, Joyce writes plays for the theatre, the community as well as for her church, Christian Cultural Center. Joyce is no stranger to the Brooklyn and Queens Public Schools and is determined to give back to the community as a professional teaching artist utilizing drama and playwriting to motivate students through the arts. She is a member of the Dramatist Guild Of America, Inc, The League of Professional Women In Theatre, Actors Equity Association and the Screen Actors Guild. She has just completed her 6th play Women In The ‘Pit’ which will soon be in production at a theatre near you.

As an actress, Joyce just completed an independent film in Omaha Nebraska entitled For Love Of Amy directed by Love Boat’s Ted Lange. An alumni of the prestigious Negro Ensemble Company, she was last seen in the New Federal Theatre’s production of The Stuttering Preacher and Queens Theatre In The Park’s production of West Indian classic Two Can Play in the lead role of Gloria. She co-starred in the musical Where Is God with Tony Award winner Ben Harney at Christian Cultural Center, regionally performed in Samm-Art Williams play (Exec. Prod. of Fresh Prince of Bel Aire and Martin), The Dance On Widows Row at the National Black Theatre Festival and at the Jomandi Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia as the hilarious Annie Talbot, and in many other productions. On Television she appeared on Ellen, and The Right To Remain Silent as Officer Collins, starring Patrick Dempsey, Robert Loggia and Christopher Lloyd and numerous independent films.

Joyce has also been the recipient of the NAACP Theatre Award/CA, Audelco Award/NY and Dramalogue Critics Award/CA for her performances. She is the recipient of the 2004 Audelco Award for Best Director in a Dramatic Production, Freeda Peoples. In addition to directing her own work she has directed such plays as For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf, All Praises Due To Allah Only The Mistakes Have Been Mine, A Long Time Since Yesterday, numerous Christian plays, children’s theatre, productions at her own church as well as made her services available to other churches in the community.