Dr. Aduke Aremu

Dr. Aduke Aremu is a trailblazing playwright, producer, educator, and arts advocate whose body of work has shaped and sustained a renaissance in American theatre and cultural expression for more than five decades. A Harlem-born and Brooklyn-raised visionary, Aduke has continuously bridged art, education, and community empowerment through her groundbreaking contributions in theatre, film, and arts-based education—spanning from New York City to Atlanta, and across the
world.
A graduate of Hunter College (B.A., M.S.), with advanced studies at New York University (Ph.D.), and a professional diploma from the College of New Rochelle, Aduke holds an Honorary Doctorate from the Global International University. She is recognized nationally and internationally for her work as an intellectual, writer, executive producer, and cultural historian.
Aduke received the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Small School Initiative grant and used the funds to open International Arts Business High School at Wingate High School in Brooklyn. She has held several prestigious positions in education: a faculty member at Essex County College,
Associate Professor at Medgar Evers College, William Patterson College, Hunter College, The College of New Rochelle, New York City Technical College, and Mercy College. Her writings are documented and researched at Westchester County College; University of Wisconsin; New York University; and Notre Dame University. Aduke studied Theatre and Speech Communications at Hunter College, The College of New Rochelle, and New York University.
Aduke has been named New York State Arts Commissioner during Governor John Cuomo, Sr.’s term as Governor of New York State. Her pioneering spirit extends to arts education. Through her leadership at the Harlem Children’s Theatre Company and her creation of the Aduke Arts/Business School at Wingate High School (Brooklyn), Aduke has mentored countless young performers, writers, and educators. Her collaborations with figures such as Dr. Pearl Primus and her
participation in global festivals, such as FESTAC, have further established her as a cultural ambassador.

Aduke’s plays have been produced and presented at The John F. Kennedy Center, The Public Theatre with Joe Papp, The Apollo Theatre, The Negro Ensemble Company, The Billie Holiday Theatre, The Brooklyn Academy of Music, 42nd Street Theatre Row, Town Hall, The Hudson Guild Theatre, The Gene Franklin Theatre, and Lincoln Center. Her plays have been produced in the United States, Germany, England, France, Nigeria, Ghana, Bermuda, Jamaica, Barbados, and
Tanzania.
Aduke has worked with movie director Otis Sallid, George Faison of The Wiz, Joseph Walker of The River Niger, Joseph Papp of The New York Shakespeare Festival, Voza Rivers of The New Heritage Theatre Group/Impact Repertory Company; Lillias White of Fela and Rent on Broadway; the late Gilbert Moses and Sheryl Lee Ralph of Dreamgirls; Reggie Life, the late Glenda Dickerson, and Peter Moore of The Lion King to name a few.
Throughout her illustrious career, Aduke has consistently broken barriers for women in theatre and production—continuing to thrive and create in the modern era of “pandemic theatre.” Her resilience, innovation, and lifelong dedication to the arts exemplify the essence of a true Renaissance woman.
Among her numerous honors and recognitions, Aduke is the recipient of the Georgia State Governor’s Award; President Barack Obama’s Lifetime Achievement Award; Congressional Awards from retired Congressman Edolphus Towns, Chair of the Ways and Means Committee; and a Women’s Congressional Honor from Congresswoman Yvette Clarke of Brooklyn. She has also received Playwright/Producer Award from the Nigerian Consul General of New York,
producer awards from the Department of Culture of Jamaica, Trinidad, and Barbados, and was an Honorary Co-Chair at the 41st Annual AUDELCO Awards in New York City.
As the founder and executive producer of Aduke Aremu Entertainment, LLC, Aduke continues to innovate at the intersection of art and technology including producing the Elegant Winter Celebration for Georgia Democrats, a Pay-Per-View event showcasing diverse artistic and civic talent to encourage civic engagement. Her projects have engaged children, women, and multicultural artists in creative and educational collaborations throughout the United States,
Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean.