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Jonathan I. Kidd is a multi-hyphenate American playwright, documentarian, Executive producer, and television writer, most notably known for comprising one-half of the Emmy-nominated writing duo along with his writing partner, Sonya Winton-Odamtten. Together, they are known for their work on shows like NCIS New Orleans, ABC’s The Whole Truth, FOX’s Touch, AMAZON’s Oasis (Pilot), and as the Co-Executive Producers of HBO's hit show Lovecraft Country (TV series).[1]
Life and Education[edit]
Residing in California, Kidd's early development began against the backdrop of Mansfield, Ohio, farmlands where he spent his formative years. His academic pursuits led him to The University of Michigan, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree with honors in African Studies, African American Studies, and English. Continuing his educational odyssey, Kidd obtained his Master’s of Art, Master’s of Philosophy, and Doctoral degree from Yale University, specializing in African-American Studies and English. It was at Yale that he crossed paths with his future collaborator, Sonya Winton-Odamtten.
Theater and Early Career[edit]
In 2001, prompted by the socio-political climate post-9/11, Kidd, along with his writing partner, Sonya Winton-Odamtten, established a non-profit theater company, Adam, Eve, & Steve Productions (AES), while pursuing studies at Yale. Their collaborative efforts manifested in a series of successful theater productions, including Kidd’s "There Must Be A God Somewhere," Jan Henson Dow and Robert Schroeder’s "Shaka," and Winton-Odamtten’s "Matri-focal Concentric Zones of Violence Revisited: Part One."
In 2003, the duo's commitment to storytelling extended beyond the stage as they took a hiatus from academia to produce the documentary "Battleground for a New Generation," delving into youth mobilization during a Presidential election.[2]
In 2004, Kidd's short story, "Some People Wear Green," his rendition of a "soft sequel" to James Baldwin's novel “Giovanni's Room,” is featured in the anthology “Best Black Gay Erotica,” a collection of stories from seventeen esteemed authors, edited by Darieck Scott.[3]
In 2006, Kidd and Winton-Odamtten were one of the featured theatre non-profits selected to participate in Suzan-Lori Park's 365 Days/365 Plays National Festival to which Parks spoke on the “unforgettable” productions staged by Kidd and Winton-Odamtten, at sites of contestation around greater Los Angeles.
In 2007, Winton-Odamtten and Kidd contributed to the LAUSD after-school program “Beyond The Bell,” teaching theatrical knowledge to teenagers in South Los Angeles, which incorporated in-depth readings of the works of Shakespeare, Lorraine Hansberry, and August Wilson to help students create their own one-act plays addressing issues such as environmental justice, class inequality, and bullying.
In 2012, Kidd's autobiographical essay, "One Day A DJ Saved My Life," was published as one of 25 essays by gay men of color to be featured in the anthology titled "For Colored Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Still Not Enough: Coming of Age, Coming Out, and Coming Home." Kidd's piece delves into his personal journey, exploring themes of reconciling with faith and confronting profound struggles with suicidal depression and was curated by Keith Boykin.[4]
Television Writing and Career Milestones[edit]
Moving from documentaries to venturing into television, Kidd and Winton-Odamtten started their television writing career when they got accepted into the Warner Brothers Television Writers Workshop in 2010.[5][6] They achieved success with various shows, including ABC’s The Whole Truth, FOX’s Touch, and AMAZON’s Oasis (TV Series)." Notably, they sold several spec pilots, including: The 4th Reich (SHOWTIME) with Robert De Niro & Jane Rosenthal attached to executive produce [7], Rodeo Drive (WARNER HORIZON), "Southern Gothic" (LIFETIME) and "Trader" (HBO) with Tika Sumpter attached to star in and executive produce.
In 2016, Kidd/Winton-Odamtten's NCIS New Orleans episode "Rock-a-Bye-Baby" was nominated for a GLAAD Award[8] [9] and in 2021, they received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Drama Series for Lovecraft Country.[10]
In 2019, Kidd/Winton-Odamtten signed an overall deal with HBO, continuing their work as the Co-Executive Producers of the award-winning HBO series Lovecraft Country.[11]
Their ongoing collaboration with HBO has been punctuated by achievements, including being finalists of the Ray Bradbury Nebula Award for Dramatic Presentation in 2021[12], joining the Advisory Council of WarnerMedia Access Writers Program[13], joining the LA Theatre Works Board of Directors,[14] and securing a pilot order from HBO for their series adaptation of Octavia Butler's final novel, "Fledgling," featuring Issa Rae and J.J. Abrams among the executive producers.[15] Currently Kidd/ Winton-Odamtten are in the development, writing, and Executive Producing a new limited series, "Say Their Names," inspired by the Los Angeles serial killer, the Grim Sleeper, and intricately explores the life of activist, Margaret Prescod.[16]
Philanthropic Initiatives[edit]
Beyond their professional and theatric endeavors, Kidd/Winton-Odamtten are actively engaged in philanthropy, as demonstrated by their recent initiative, the "Feed Black Covid-19 Health Workers Challenge." Collaborating with Frontline Foods, the duo enlisted over 40 Black Hollywood writers, extending support to healthcare workers in underserved Black communities nationwide. Their outreach has had a tangible impact, providing sustenance to hospitals, nursing homes, and health clinic staffs in cities such as Downtown Los Angeles, St. Louis, New York, Dallas, Houston, Durham, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Providence, Inglewood, Boston, Memphis, and Minneapolis-St. Paul.[17]
Kidd’s philanthropic efforts have continued with the creation of an annual scholarly prize for undergraduate honors students from his alma mater, with The Department of Afro-American and African Studies (DAAS) in the University of Michigan’s College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA). Dr. Kidd created this annual $50,000 donation to honor his educational passion and was able to utilize his pedagogical foundation to recognize LSA students who complete a significant senior project and to honor DAAS students who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, a record of academic excellence and a commitment to giving back to the African diaspora.
Awarded to one senior who is a DAAS major or minor, the annual Dr. Jonathan I. Kidd Senior Prize will honor the student who best researched and developed a project, capstone, or thesis that involves a serious engagement with a significant intellectual, social, political, or practical problem related to the African Diaspora and to the educational mission of DAAS. The first prize will be awarded at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 academic year in hopes of not only enriching new opportunities for students but also helping inspire more students to elevate their intellectual pursuits.
Currently represented by WME, Anonymous Content, and JSSK (Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole LLP), Jonathan I. Kidd and Sonya Winton-Odamtten, continue to make significant contributions to the worlds of entertainment, academia, and philanthropy.
Filmography[edit]
Television[edit]
| Year | Show | Writer | Producer | Credit(s) | Episode(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Lovecraft Country | Yes | Yes | Co-Executive Producer | "Strange Case" | Season 1, Episode 5 |
| "Rewind 1921" | Season 1, Episode 9 | |||||
| 2019 | Treadstone | No | Yes | Supervising Producer | "The Berlin Proposal" | Season 1, episode 3 |
| "The Kwon Conspiracy" | Season 1, Episode 2 | |||||
| "The Cicada Protocol" | Season 1, Episode 1 | |||||
| 2018 | Trader | Yes | Yes | Executive Producer/ Creator | Sold to HBO (Undeveloped) | |
| 2017 | Oasis | Yes | Yes | Co-Executive Producer | Mini Room | (Unreleased) Based on the film |
| 2015 | Wicked City | Yes | Yes | Co-Producer | "Blizzard of Ozz" | Season 1, Episode 6 |
| NCIS New Orleans | Yes | No | Executive Story Editor | "Rock-a-Bye-Baby" | Season 1, Episode 20 | |
| "La Carnaval De la Mort" | Season 1, episode 15 | |||||
| 2014 | "Chasing Ghosts" | Season 1, Episode 9 | ||||
| Killer Women | Yes | No | "In and Out" | Season 1, Episode 5 | ||
| 2013 | The 4th Reich | Yes | Yes | Co-Executive Producer | Written on Spec "Pilot" | Sold to Showtime (Undeveloped) |
| 2012 | Touch | Yes | No | "Story By" Credit | Season 1 | |
| 2011 | Memphis Beat | Yes | No | "Written by" | "Body of Evidence" | Season 2, Episode 7 |
| 2010 | The Whole Truth | No | No | "Story By" Credit | "The End" | Season 1, Episode 13 |
| Yes | No | "Written by" | "Perfect Witness" | Season 1, Episode 10 | ||
| Yes | No | "Teleplay" Credit | "When Cougars Attack" | Season 1, Episode 5 |
Theater[edit]
| Title | Playwright | Directed | Produced |
|---|---|---|---|
| "There Must Be A God Somewhere" | Yes | No | Yes - (Adam, Eve, and Steve Productions) |
| "Shaka" | Jan Henson Dow and Robert Schroeder | No | Yes - (Adam, Eve, and Steve Productions) |
| "Matri-focal Concentric Zones of Violence Revisited: Part One" | Sonya Winton-Odamtten | Yes | Yes - (Adam, Eve, and Steve Productions) |
References[edit]
- ^ Unknown. "Lovecraft Country: The Craft - Co-Executive Producers, Sonya Winton-Odamtten & Jonathan Kidd". Youtube.com. Retrieved Oct 12, 2020.
- ^ Internaltional, Institute. "Film Screening of Battleground for a New Generation Revisited". UCLA.Edu. UCLA. Retrieved June 4, 2008.
- ^ Scott, Darieck, ed. (2004-11-24). Best Black Gay Erotica. Cleis Press. ISBN 978-1-57344-204-6.
- ^ Noble, Barnes &. "For Colored Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Still Not Enough: Coming of Age, Coming Out, and Coming Home|Paperback". Barnes & Noble. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
- ^ Warner, Brothers. "Warner Brothers 2010 Writers Workshop". Warner Brothers Television workshop. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ Warner, Brothers. "Warner Brothers 2010 Writers Workshop". Warner Brothers. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ Nellie, Andreeva (23 January 2013). "Neo-Nazi Drama Produced By Robert De Niro & Jane Rosenthal In The Works At Showtime". Deadline. Deadline.com. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
- ^ Newsdesk (29 March 2016). "Exclusive interview with Hollywood writing team nominated for GLAAD Media Award". Out News Global. Retrieved 6 December 2023.<ref name="OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL EPISODE NCIS New Orleans"
- ^ Khatchatourian, Maane (27 January 2016). "GLAAD Media Awards Nominations". Variety.com. Variety E-magazine. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
- ^ Cephas Jones, Ron, Jasmine. "Outstanding Drama Series - Lovecraft Country - 2021 Emmy Nominee". Emmys.com. The Television Academy Emmys. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Nellie, Denise, Andreeva, Petski (9 April 2019). "'Lovecraft Country' Co-EPs Jonathan Kidd & Sonya Winton-Odamtten Ink Overall Deal With HBO". Deadline.com. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ SFWA, Nebula Award (16 March 2021). "SFWA Announces the 56th Annual Nebula Award® Finalists". nebulas.sfwa.org. SFWA.Org. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
- ^ "Sonya and Jonathan join Advisory Council of WarnerMedia Access Writers Program to Amplify Underrepresented Voices in TV 2021". press.wbd.com. Warner Brothers Press. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
- ^ Cristi, A.A. "Emmy-Nominated Writer-Producer Team Jonathan Kidd, Sonya Winton-Odamtten Join L.A Theatre Works Board Of Directors". BroadwayWorld. BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
- ^ White, Peter (28 July 2021). "Sonya Winton-Odamtten & Jonathan I. Kidd Score HBO Pilot Script Order For Series Adaptation Of Octavia Butler's 'Fledgling'; Issa Rae & J.J. Abrams To EP". Deadline.com. Deadline. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
- ^ Dino-Ray, Ramos (18 December 2020). "Jonathan I. Kidd & Sonya Winton-Odamtten Reup Overall Deal With HBO; Set Grim Sleeper Limited Series 'Say Their Names'". Deadline. Deadline.com. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (8 June 2020). "'Lovecraft Country's Sonya Winton-Odamtten And Jonathan Kidd Talk Disproportionate Impact Of COVID-19 On People Of Color, #FeedBCHW Challenge". Deadline.com. Deadline. Retrieved June 8, 2020.