BIPOC Critics Lab & Public Theater Partnership | American Theatre
Critical Minded unveils its 2024-25 BIPOC Critics Lab cohort, a vital initiative supporting diverse voices in arts criticism, offering direct funding, research opportunities, and convenings for critics of color and cultural writers. This programme actively addresses the specific needs of critics while championing their professional growth. The selected cohort features a dynamic group of individuals, including playwrights, scholars, actors, and multimedia storytellers like Amanda L. Andrei, shanaé Burch, and Lindsley Howard, each bringing unique perspectives too the field. News Directory 3 is proud to highlight this important proclamation. Eager to learn more about the cohort’s upcoming projects? Discover what’s next …
Critical Minded Names 2024-25 BIPOC Critics Lab Cohort
Updated June 05, 2025
New York City—Critical Minded, a grantmaking and learning initiative focused on resourcing and raising the visibility of critics of color and cultural writers, has announced its 2024-25 BIPOC Critics Lab cohort. The program supports individuals through direct funding, research opportunities and organized convenings.
The initiative aims to meet the specific needs of critics and encourage them to pursue their chosen paths. Critical Minded supports both publications and individuals.
The 2024-25 cohort includes:
- Amanda L. Andrei, a Los Angeles-based playwright, literary translator, and theater critic.
- shanaé Burch, an arts in public health liberation scholar residing in Brooklyn.
- Lindsley Howard, a Texas-born, Brooklyn-based actor and storyteller.
- Regina mondayuit, a multimedia storyteller from the Chicago suburbs, now based in the Philippines.
- Zoe Marín,an Argentine American theatre artist and comedian in Toronto.
- e. O’Malley, an adoptee writer based in new York.
- Miranda Purcell, a Puerto Rican actress and writer.
- Katsuto Sakogashira, a writer and actor from Japan, based in Providence, R.I.
- Angie Shin,a civil rights activist,theatre critic,and dramaturg originally from Los Angeles.
- ciaran Short, an interdisciplinary artist, writer, and activist born and raised in new York City.
- Soumya Tadepali, a theatremaker, comedian, and administrator based in New York City.
- Dezi tibbs, a New York-based dramaturg and writer.
Amanda L. Andrei’s play, Mama, I wish I were silver, won the 2022 Jane Chambers Award for Feminist Playwriting.She was also named a Rising Leader of Color by Theatre Communications Group in 2023.
Shanaé burch serves as a Deacon of Double Love Experience Church and is a board member of Community Conversations: Sister 2 Sister. She is also co-associate editor of Poetry for The Public’s Health.
Lindsley Howard has collaborated with Ensemble Studio Theatre, the Huntington, The Lark, and Studio Theatre.
Regina Mondayuit studied at the University of California, Berkeley, earning degrees in American Studies and Environmental Design.
Zoe Marín is the artistic producer of First Born Theatre Company and co-creator of sketch-comedy troupe Small Friend Tall Friend.
e.O’Malley’s work has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize, Best of the Net, and Best New Poets.
Miranda Purcell previously worked as a screenwriter for The Writer’s Gang, a reporter at The new day in Puerto Rico, and a content creator for Caribbean Cinemas.
Angie Shin dramaturged for the Hyperion Shakespeare Company’s 2022 production of King John at harvard college. They currently work as a paralegal at the NAACP Legal Defence Fund.
Ciaran Short co-founded All Street, an art collective and protest group in New York.
Dezi tibbs created the blog “Dezi’s Thought Bubble” and has written for the Media Theatre, the Wilma Theater, and the Civilians’ Extended Play.