Johnny Lee Davenport

Dear Friends and Fans of Johnny Lee,

Thank you all for your role in Johnny’s life before his illness, your support and prayers during his illness, and your outpouring of incredible memories after his death.

If you want to continue to honor Johnny’s memory, we have established a nonprofit organization:

Beyond Classical Theatre honors the legacy of Johnny Lee Davenport by giving actors of color, with a specific passion for classical theatre, opportunities to prepare for excellence in the performance of classical theatre and to become role models and teachers for other actors of color who share this same passion. Beyond Classical Theatre offers grants, determined and developed annually by its board, to foster these opportunities.

We’re kicking this off with a fundraiser at www.gofundme.com/f/in-honor-of-johnny-lee-davenport

We have a goal of $15,000. Please contribute if you can.

We should have the website www.beyondclassicaltheatre.org up and running within a week or two.

Thank you for loving Johnny, as he loved all of you.

Johnny Lee Davenport passed away on February 2, 2020, from complications caused by Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. We sorely miss him.

MEMORIALS (information developing)

AURORA, IL: Saturday, February 29, 2020, at the Progressive Baptist Church, 275 Barnes Rd., Aurora, IL 60506. Memorial Service 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and Fellowship and Family Hour 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.

CHICAGO, IL: Monday, March 2, 2020, at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611. Memorial Celebration 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

BOSTON, MA: Sunday, May 10, 2020. New Rep Theater, Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472. After the the 2 p.m. matinee of August Wilson’s Fences, which was to be Johnny’s last show.

Due to social distancing protocols to prevent the spreading of the COVID-19 virus, the May 10 memorial at the New Rep has been cancelled and will be moved to a later date when it is safe to gather in public.

Beyond the Stage: Dramatic Readings by Artist-in-Residence Patrick Gabridge

Oak Park Theatre Festival

Dominican University
7900 W. Division Street
River Forest, IL 60305
September 8 – 9, 2018

Written by George Stevens Jr.
Directed by Benny Sato Ambush
Role: Thurgood Marshall

Buy tickets here.

Outdoors in Austin Gardens
167 Forest Avenue
Oak Park, IL 60303
July 28 – September 1, 2018

As Papa Shakespeare with Velma Austin as Sarah. PHOTO: JHENAI MOOTZ

Written by Carlyle Brown
Directed by Ron OJ Parson
Role: Papa Shakespeare

Buy tickets here.

Follow this Facebook link to listen to Johnny and director Ron OJ Parson’s interview on the WPNA 1490 AM for The Doris Davenport Show: “All Local All the Time” in support of Oak Park Festival Theatre’s production of The African Company Presents Richard III, which opens on July 28.

The show aired live on July 22, 2018, at 6:30 p.m.

Outdoors in Austin Gardens
167 Forest Avenue
Oak Park, IL 60303
July 28 – September 1, 2018

Written by Carlyle Brown
Directed by Ron OJ Parson
Role: Papa Shakespeare

Buy tickets here.

140 Clarendon St.
Boston, MA 02116
April 6 – May 6, 2018

Written by Eugene O’Neill
Directed by Scott Edmiston
Role: Chris Christofferson

NEW REP’S THURGOOD ON TOUR

TCAN: The Center for the Arts in Natick

14 Summer St.
Natick, MA 01760
January 27, 2018, @ 8 p.m. 

Written by George Stevens Jr.
Directed by Benny Sato Ambush
Role: Thurgood Marshall

Buy tickets here.

Oleanna
New Rep Theatre

Mosesian Center for the Arts
321 Arsenal Street
Watertown, MA 02472
October 14 – November 5, 2017

Carol (Obehi Janice) takes notes on John’s (Johnny Lee Davenport’s) explanation for her struggles in his college course. (PHOTO: ANDREW BRILLIANT)

Written by David Mamet
Directed by Elaine Vaan Hogue
Role: John

Buy tickets here.

STAGED READING

Black Odyssey
Central Square Theater

The Front Porch
450 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02139
October 30, 2017

Written by Marcus Gardley
Directed by Benny Sato Ambush
Role: Great Grand Daddy Deus

Free. Reserve tickets here.

STAGED READING

Fear and Misery in the Third Reich
Commonwealth Shakespeare

Carling Sorenson Theater
Babson College
19 Babson College Dr.
Wellesley, MA 02482
November 13, 2017

Featuring Tony Shalhoub and Brooke Adams
Written by Bertolt Brecht
Translated by Eric Bentley
Directed by Steven Maler

Buy tickets here.