Brenda Pressley began her theatrical career in And Still I Rise written and directed by Maya Angelou. She has enjoyed success on Broadway in the original company of Dreamgirls, as well as in The Lyons opposite Linda Lavin, Richard Greenberg’s The American Plan and Cats. Off-Broadway, she co-starred in Annie Baker’s Infinite Life (Atlantic Theatre), which later transferred to The National Theatre in London. Other off-Broadway appearances include Proof of Love by Chisa Hutchinson; The First Breeze of Summer; Mom, How Did You Meet the Beatles?; Seven Guitars; Fran’s Bed (written and directed by James Lapine); Marvin's Room; Blues in the Night; and And the World Goes ‘Round-The Songs of Kander and Ebb (Outer Critics Circle Award). Brenda also toured in Wayne Shorter and esperanza spaulding’s jazz opera, Iphigenia. Regional credits include; we are continuous… (Williamstown), Intimate Apparel- original company (Baltimore Center Stage), Having Our Say (Long Wharf/Hartford), Trouble In Mind (Two River Theater Company), Black Odyssey (Denver Center), In This House (Two River Theater Company), The Old Settler-original company (The McCarter / Freedom Theater -Barrymore Award Best Actress), Blues For An Alabama Sky (The Old Globe), Jar The Floor (Syracuse Stage/The Old Globe), A Raisin In The Sun (Ford Theater) and To Be Young Gifted and Black (The Kennedy Center). Miss Pressley co-starred with Oprah Winfrey in The Women of Brewster Place. She has guest starred on The Path, Body of Proof, The Good Wife, Elementary, The Mysteries of Laura, Law and Order, Harambee, Educating Matt Waters and HBO’s Lifestories. She has appeared in the films Who is Christmas Eve, Detachment, 16 Blocks with Bruce Willis directed by Richard Donner, Cradle Will Rock written and directed by Tim Robbins, Twisted and It Could Happen To You.
