Kizzy: The Real Wonder Woman

As part of Group Rep’s virtual festival, UNHIDDEN FIGURES, we proudly highlight “Kizzy: The Real Wonder Woman” now available on our website:

Kizzy: The Real Wonder Woman written by Doug Haverty, directed by Disraeli Ellison, performed by Bita Arefnia, Todd Andrew Ball, T. Ryan Brennen, Cynthia Bryant, James J. Cox, Peyton Kirkner, Rudy McCollum, Bruce Nehlsen, and Cathy Diane Tomlin.  2021. For her mid-term project, a high school student does a video tribute to her hero: Kizzmekia Corbett, the African American scientist who developed the vaccine for Covid-19. She taps her friends and family to portray family and doctors using all real quotes.

From the author, Doug Haverty:

I was watching a news program and the newscaster mentioned that the Covid-19 vaccine had been developed by an African-American woman. It was just thrown in to a “Breaking News” piece. And I thought, “How come we don’t know about this person?” So, I did research and found out about this amazing scientist named, Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett. And since the purpose of our UNHIDDEN FIGURES is to enlighten and entertain, I decided she would be the focus of my piece. I collected so many fantastic quotes from her teachers, mentors and family, I elected to make this a multi-media project put together by a high school student, naming Kizzy as her hero, with her friends and family re-enacting the real people. It is with the utmost respect that I created this to not only acknowledge this wonderful human being, but also reinforce the hope that anyone can help the world — and success can, indeed, come to someone who is disciplined, focused and a truly loving, caring person.

Doug Haverty Bio:

Doug has had his award-winning plays and musicals produced worldwide. Could I Have This Dance? was named “Best New Play” by American Theatre Critics Association. His works have been presented at Cherry Lane, Charlotte Rep., Laguna Playhouse, Phoenix Theatre, Florida Studio, The Colony, Theatre 40, The Lyric, Group Rep, Long Island Stage, Theatre in the Square, Lobero, etc. Published plays: In My Mind’s Eye, Inside Out, Could I Have This Dance?, Flavia & The Dream Maker.