Tramell Tillman makes his Broadway debut in the epic new play: The Great Society at Lincoln Center, September 6th – January 20th.
Tramell graduated summa cum laude from Jackson State University in 2008 with the Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications. During his matriculation, he was involved with several social and civic organizations such as, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Student Government Association, National Association of Black Journalist; Making A Difference Doing Respectable And Meaningful (MADDRAMA) Performance Troupe, Tiger Pride, and was inducted into several honor societies. Perhaps one of the most influential experiences at Jackson State University was his involvement with the Children Defense Fund Freedom Schools (a program in conjunction with Kids Kollege). It was through this organization that he was able to blend his love for education, passion for the arts, and drive for community involvement and civic engagement in order to serve children affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma.
Tramell has graced the screen and stage for over 20 years. Some of his more recent roles include “Steven” in the critically acclaimed American Movie Classic (AMC) series Dietland, “Seargent Brown” in the award winning musical revival of Carmen Jones starring Anika Noni Rose, and originating the role of “Chris” in the Pulitzer Prize-winning international hit play Sweat by Lynn Nottage. This past spring, Tillman wrapped a brand new series coming to Amazon called “The Hunt” starring Al Pacino.
This District of Columbia (DC)/Maryland native graduated top of his class from The University of Tennessee with in the Master of Fine Arts acting program in Knoxville. He was the first African – American male to complete the program in 2014. While at The University of Tennessee, the Arts of College and Sciences named Tillman as its “Student to Watch.” He was nominated and selected out of a population of over 25,000 students. Since graduating, he has moved to New York working with award-winning directors such as John Doyle, Robert O’Hara, Lisa Peterson, Lee Sunday Evans, Woodie King Jr., just to name a few.
The classically trained actor is no stranger to the classics. He took on the role of Laertes in a production of Hamlet at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and recently performed in a staged reading of Play On, a project commissioned by the Oregon Shakespeare Festival to translate all 39 of Shakespeare’s plays. This September you can catch Tramell on a brand new grizzly series on Epix called “Godfather of Harlem” starring Academy Award-winner Forrest Whitaker. Set in 1960s Harlem, he plays a successful record producer at the cusp of a social uprising leading to the Civil Rights Movement.
Tramell plays multiple roles in Robert Schenkkan’s new play, The Great Society. Some include Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) Leader, Bob Moses, Civil Rights Titan, Hosea Williams, and Marquette Frye. This play chronicles three years of American history during Lyndon B. Johnson’s administration watching the height of the Civil Rights Movement, the escalation of the Vietnam War, and the passing of numerous programs that have shaped our nation.
In his spare time, Tramell works in local communities supporting causes of arts advocacy, mental health awareness, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA) Rights, and causes focusing on persons of color. He is an ally, a singer, dancer, activist, confidant; but most of all he is an artist committed to giving voice to the voiceless. He believes in the transformative power of the Arts. In his opinion it’s one of the purest channels into preserving and enhancing all of humanity.