Derek in the mix…

June 2025 - water riot in American Theatre Magazine Awards Round Up

water riot is on the list! Announced as a finalist for the National Theater Project (second year in a row)

Dec 2023 - water riot announced as a finalist for the National Theater Project

water riot is among the 24 finalists selected from NTP’s largest ever applicant pool.

Sept 2022 - The Necessity of Joy - New City Stage

Curator of Performance, Tara Aisha Willis the Chicago Performs mini-festival at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, including McPhatter’s new work commission.

July 2021 — Between Art and Science Podcast

Derek McPhatter discusses his latest work-in-progress.

June 2021 — Black Girl Nerds

TV / Geek Culture critic Beverly Kwakye reviews the proof-of-concept pilot for HIVE.

May 2021 - Serious Adverse Effects in DC Theater Arts

Rapid Lemon Production’s ‘Serious Adverse Effects’ fascinates, resonates…

Dec 2020 — The Chicago Tribune

Chicago playwright Derek McPhatter wins arts award of up to $50,000 to create new work.

Dec 2020 — IG Live with Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago

Watch Tara Aisha Willis, Associated Curator of Performance at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago do a Virtual Studio visit with Derek over Instagram Live.

Dec 2020 — “Writing as Resistance”

Listen to Derek on ‘The Sound & The Journey’ podcast speak about his journey to playwriting, the influence and importance of genre in his work, and how for Derek, writing is a vibrant and essential form of resistance.

June 2020 — Playbill

Queer Black Playwrights to Know and Support: Volume II