MICKI GRANT

GRANT--Micki. The Dramatists Guild mourns the passing of beloved Council member, the singularly gifted Micki Grant. A composer, lyricist, bookwriter, singer, and actor, she became the first person - and the first Black person - to solely write book, music, lyrics and star in a Broadway musical, Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope, in 1972. For the same show, she also became the first woman composer to win a Grammy for Best Score From an Original Cast Show Album. Her other Broadway writing credits include additional music and lyrics for Your Arms Too Short to Box With God, songs for Working, and It's So Nice to Be Civilized. Micki joined the Guild in 1972 and was elected to serve on its Council in 1999. She faithfully came to meetings as a passionate advocate for all writers. She served as a mentor and inspiration to generations of young writers and audience members - during a 2010 seminar conversation with Kia Corthron, Micki observed "I once got a letter from a tourist who had gotten to see Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope. She wrote me this lovely letter and said, 'You made me bleed but your incision was so clean.' So, I think anybody who says that you can't make statements with music or theatre is in error. In the heart, in the gut of people, we're all very much alike." In 2013, Micki Grant was awarded the Dramatists Guild's Lifetime Achievement Award as recognition for her years of service to the Guild. Micki broke barriers, spoke her truth, and cared deeply about her fellow theatre writers and artists. She will be mourned and deeply missed.