Farah Lawal Harris is
a well-dressed poet,
artistic leader,
and breast cancer survivor
who overcomes obstacles with grace.

By writing and public speaking,
she inspires others to do the same.

Farah Lawal Harris (she/her) is a first-generation Nigerian playwright, actress, poet, and the Artistic Director of Young Playwrights’ Theater in Washington, DC. She deeply believes in the power of Black women and their stories and aims to make people feel less alone through her art, which is her activism. She calls her work “black girl magical realism” and her plays are deeply personal, raw, poetic, funny and hip-hop-infused with a focus on social justice.

Farah is the Artistic Director of Young Playwrights’ Theater (YPT), a nonprofit organization in Washington, DC that inspires young people to realize the power of their own voices. As a visionary leader at YPT, Farah created the decade-long, award-winning Silence is Violence social justice performance series.

Farah is a Kilroys' List playwright whose work has been performed at Arena Stage, The Kennedy Center's Theatre for Young Audiences, The University of Texas at Austin, Round House Theatre, Rep Stage, Theater Alliance, Convergence Theatre, the DC Black Theatre Festival, the Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed Conference, the Capital Fringe Festival, and multiple universities along the East Coast.

She is an emeritus member of Theatre Washington's Advisory Board and Helen Hayes Award Adjudication Committee; she also co-chaired the 2020 and 2022 DC Theatre Summits. She is a proud co-founder of the Washington, DC-based theatre companies, The Saartijie Project, and Wild Women Theatre, and a three-time individual artist grant recipient from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

Farah gives infinite thanks to God, her ancestors, family, friends, and the following teachers, mentors, and artists who have shaped her into the woman she is today: Mr. & Mrs. Habeeb and Beatrice Lawal, Mrs. Vickie Adamson, Andrea Richards Scott, Scot Reese, the late and great Dr. Walter Dallas, Leslie Felbain, Ntozake Shange, Rhodessa Jones, Jessica Solomon, Thembi Duncan, Erika Totten, and The Queen Po.

In Farah’s Words

a multi-hyphenate theatre artist who instigates change and creativity.

I am…

As the Artistic Director of Young Playwrights’ Theater in Washington, DC, I produce and workshop plays, mentor young playwrights, and create equitable practices.

I am…

a captivating speaker, writer, and performer.

I am an accomplished playwright, poet, and performer. I tell vulnerable and transformative stories that make people feel less alone. My work has been performed at The Kennedy Center, Arena Stage, The Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed Conference, and several universities along the East Coast.

My written and spoken words help heal myself and others. I spread love through generosity, wisdom, and laughter.

I survived Stage 2 breast cancer, persevering through chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, surgery complications, and radiation therapy. By making a commitment to holistic wellness and spirituality, I conquered cancer with a smile!


I chronicled my journey through breast cancer online as a way to stay connected to my communities. Little did I know my transparency and resilience would inspire and educate hundreds of thousands of women! I am committed to being a resource and light to people living with and supporting loved ones through breast cancer.

I am…

fierce!