RODNEY HICKS is a multi-hyphenate director, playwright, and actor. He is currently directing the musical Passing Strange at the Portland Playhouse. As a playwright, his works include inhale-EXHALE, 1968: An American Love Story, FLAME BROILED. or the ugly play, Just Press Save, and Ms. Pearl’s Cabaret.
As an actor, his BROADWAY credits include: Original Cast of COME FROM AWAY “Bob & Others” Directed by Tony Award Winner Christopher Ashley, Musical Staging by Olivier Award Winner Kelly Devine; Original Cast of THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS “Clarence Norris” Directed and Choreographed by Tony Award Winner Susan Stroman; 2000 revival JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR “Peter” Directed by Gale Edwards, Choreographed by Tony Award nominee Anthony Van Laast; Original and Closing Casts of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning musical RENT Directed by Tony Award Nominee Michael Greif, choreographed by Tony Award Nominee Marlies Yearby. Rodney is grateful to have 29 years of NYC/regional/international theatre actor credits to his name, from originating roles, to stepping into newly envisioned ones. Rodney received a 2003 Audelco Award nomination for Outstanding Leading Actor in a musical for his work in Lee Summers’ Off-Broadway musical, ‘FROM MY HOMETOWN’, in which he originated the role of Philly. Directed by Kevin Ramsey. In 2011, Rodney had the distinct honor of being the first Black ‘Curly’ in a professional production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s OKLAHOMA! at Portland Center Stage in Portland, OR. Directed by Chris Coleman, it was also the first all Black production of the show. Rodney received the 2012 Barrymore Award for Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role in The Philadelphia Theatre Company’s production (Regional Premiere) of ‘THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS’, portraying Haywood Patterson. Susan Stroman’s original Broadway direction was re-created by Jeff Whiting. Rodney received a 2017 Helen Hayes Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a musical for originating the role of ‘Bob and others’ in COME FROM AWAY at the Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. Directed by Christopher Ashley.
Rodney is currently preparing for the lead role in an upcoming feature film that is to begin shooting in Japan August 2024. More info on the project coming soon. Rodney can be seen as Dr. Brookman in Disney’s The Slumber Party (Disney +/Imagine Entertainment); The supporting role of DB in the Paramount Pictures film, Mighty Oak (Apple TV+, Amazon, Paramount+); Benjamin Coffin III in RENT: Filmed live on Broadway (Apple TV+, Amazon). TV: Leverage; GRIMM; Hope & Faith; Student Affairs (Pilot); Law & Order: CI; NYPD Blue; Dance Party USA.