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NEWorks Productions

About NEWorks Productions

Ever wondered if the creative arts have the power to change the world? 


We at NEWorks (pronounced 'new works') are convinced they do. And, as one of the nation's premier creators of impact-arts programming and entertainment, we produce music, concert events, theatrical productions, video documentaries, art exhibitions, educational initiatives, cultural festivals, and other signature works to reflect the change we seek in our community.  


From all indications, our mission appears to be working… and growing! Since our founding in 2003, our projects have reached a global audience topping ten million people on three continents.


Standout projects include: the television documentary, "Becoming Douglass Commonwealth" (winner of ten media prizes); the award-winning new musical, GRACE; the touring theatrical production, STIRRING THE WATERS ACROSS AMERICA; the Kennedy Center performance series, "Joyful Sounds" and "Music: A Force for Mending"; the award-winning viral video, "I Have A Right To Vote";  and, the national photo exhibition, "West Side/South Side." 


Much of our work is developed in collaboration with leading humanitarian, educational, arts, and cultural institutions, including: the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Fulton County Arts & Culture, The Franklin Institute, American Cancer Society, Georgetown University, Oberlin College, Ithaca College, the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Embassies of India, France, and the People's Republic of South Africa, the United States Embassy in Cairo, Amalfi Coast Music & Arts Festival, Washington National Opera, National Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Youth Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, and Philadelphia Orchestra. ​​


But none of our 'NEWorks' would be possible if folks like you don't see value in what we do. That's why we're glad you've visited our site and, now that you're here, we hope you'll stay connected with us.


(Pictured above: 'Firebird: Reimagined' concert feat. The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Mann Center, 2016 | Photo Credit: Jordan August)

Our 'new works' are mission-driven...

Exploring our planet & the environment

Exploring our planet & the environment

Exploring our planet & the environment

...like our educational program, STAR RHAPSODY @ The Franklin Institute's Fels Planetarium, Philadelphia, 2017 (Photo credit: Jordan August) 

Encouraging civic engagement

Exploring our planet & the environment

Exploring our planet & the environment

...like our WEST SIDE/SOUTH SIDE touring photo exhibition mounted in Atlanta, Philadelphia, & Washington, D.C., 2018 (Photo credit: Jordan August) 

Promoting health & wellness

Exploring our planet & the environment

Supporting humanitarian causes

...like the PARTNERING FOR LIFE health and wellness tour we developed with the American Cancer Society (Photo credit: courtesy of the ACS)

Supporting humanitarian causes

Supporting humanitarian causes

Supporting humanitarian causes

...like the U.S. Conference on AIDS, Vital Voices, Susan G. Kolman, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Good Will, Food & Friends, and Bread for the City (Photo credit: NEWorks)

Illuminating untold histories

Supporting humanitarian causes

Illuminating untold histories

...like our traveling in-school assembly highlighting the life and impact of human rights pioneer Octavius B. Catto (Photo credit: courtesy of the Mann Center) 

Bridging cultural divides

Supporting humanitarian causes

Illuminating untold histories

...like our partner project with the Embassy of India, "Reflections On Peace: from Gandhi to King," curated to mark the 50th anniversary of the March On Washington, 2017 (Photo credit: NEWorks) 

About Nolan Williams, Jr., NEWorks Founder/CEO

NEWorks Founder/CEO Nolan Williams, Jr. is best described as a creative force. An award-winning producer, music director, composer/lyricist, playwright, filmmaker, musicologist, and cultural curator, the multi-hyphenate Williams has dedicated his professional career to creating works that illuminate issues of civil rights, social justice, and cultural curiosities. 


His body of work includes: arts and educational festivals produced in partnership with The Kennedy Center and Philadelphia’s Mann Center; cultural programming developed with the Smithsonian, U.S. State Department, and the Embassies of India, France and South Africa; video/documentary projects; music for television; choral/orchestral works premiered by major American orchestras; songwriting credits on two Grammy-nominated projects; the bestselling African American Heritage Hymnal (over 500,000 copies sold worldwide); and a slate of theatrical productions .


In recognition of his broader artistic work and impact, he was named The Kennedy Center’s inaugural Social Practice Resident in 2019 and was presented, in the same year, The Kennedy Center’s National Performing Arts Committee’s 2019 Arts Advocacy Award. .


Learn more at nolanwilliamsjr.com.


(Photo Credit: Marvin Joseph)

Highlights from our NEWorks Archives

STIRRING THE WATERS ACROSS AMERICA - Nashville Premiere, 2020 (Photo credit: Quentin Cox)

    2025 NEWorks to boast about

    NEWorks CEO Nolan Williams, Jr. wins Cannes Film Award!

    NEWorks CEO Nolan Williams, Jr. has won the 2025 Cannes Film Awards Prize for "Best Director, Music Animation Video!" With a record 5,538 submissions from around the globe, this win is an amazing testament to Nolan's vision and the incredible work of the entire "Rise Up & Fight" production team. 

    "Rise Up & Fight" is a multi-award-winning hit!

    Composed & directed by NEWorks CEO Nolan Williams, Jr., our award-winning civic anthem and film short, "RISE UP & FIGHT," features illustrations by Willie Cordy, Jr.; animation by Gabrielle Genesis; music production by Nolan Williams, Jr., Warren Jones, and Phillip Lassiter; and vocal performances by Rayshun LaMarr, Benjamin H. Moore, John Riddle, Teriauna Duran, Nova Payton, and the NEWorks Voices of America. 


    Click below to learn more about the 103 international film, music & media honors this work has earned! 

    LEARN MORE

    NEWorks Voices of Inspiration featured on PBS

    Last year, NEWorks CEO Nolan Williams, Jr. led our NEWorks Voices of Inspiration's performance in "The Gathering: A Collective Sonic Ring Shout" at the Kennedy Center. This concert was jointly produced by the National Black Theatre, the Apollo, the American Composers Orchestra and the Center. 


    Now, a documentary on the making of this project, "The Gathering: A Journey To Grace," is airing nationwide on PBS beginning Wednesday, June 18, 2025. Click here to access the BroadwayWorld article. Click below to access the House Seats episode or check your local PBS listings for more information. 

    VIEW PBS EPISODE

    'GRACE, the Musical' Work Session in Chicago

    This Spring, the creative team of ‘GRACE, the Musical’ convened in Chicago for another developmental work session. Stay tuned for exciting updates about the show. 

    'Let Freedom Ring'

    Check out our 2025 MLK Holiday "Let Freedom Ring" Kennedy Center Celebration

    Presented by Georgetown University and the Kennedy Center, music produced by NEWorks featuring: Christopher Jackson, Esperanza Spalding, Chelsey Green, Taye Diggs, Lew Sid, Nikkole Salter, Quincy Vicks, Ryan Green, Sheldon Silvers, Christina Alemayehu, the NEWorks Voices of America and NEWorks House Band, under the direction of Daryl 'LA' Hunt!

    VIEW PROGRAM

    2024 YIR HIGHLIGHTS


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