Help Bring Boulevard of Bold Dreams to Hollywood!

LaDarrion Williams is organizing this fundraiser.

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(Mildred Marie Langford as Dottie Hudson and Charles Andrew Gardner as Arthur Brooks in TimeLine Theatre Company 2023 production.)

Help Bring Boulevard of Bold Dreams to Hollywood!

Written by the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author LaDarrion Williams, this is a story of ambition, resilience, and history-making moments deserves its time in the spotlight. Boulevard of Bold Dreams is a deeply moving play that reimagines a pivotal moment in Hollywood history. Despite being rejected by major regional theaters in Los Angeles and New York City, this story of hope and perseverance refuses to fade.

With your help, we can bring this poignant and necessary production to Los Angeles—the city where this history began.

An Historic Night at the Oscars – A Dream of What Could Have Been.

On February 29, 1940, the majestic Hattie McDaniel made history as the first Black actor to win an Academy Award for her performance in Gone with the Wind. Yet her groundbreaking victory was overshadowed by systemic racism and segregation, even as she received Hollywood’s highest honor.

Boulevard of Bold Dreams reimagines the events leading up to that iconic night. The story follows:

Arthur Brooks, a Black bartender and aspiring filmmaker from rural Alabama, whose passion for storytelling burns despite countless barriers.

Dottie Hudson, Arthur’s best friend and a world-weary maid at the glamorous Ambassador Hotel, wrestling with her own unrealized dreams.

When Gone with the Wind's very own Hattie McDaniel hesitates to attend the ceremony, Arthur and Dottie find themselves in a race against time to convince her to seize her historic moment. Along the way, they confront their own fears, challenges, and aspirations.

This gripping play explores themes of race, class, gender, and the complexities of pursuing dreams in a world rife with prejudice.

(Mildred Marie Langford as Dottie Hudson)

(Gabrielle Lott Rodgers as Hattie McDaniel (TimeLine Theatre Company)

(Brent Jordan as Arthur Brooks Orlando Shakes)

(Charles Andrew Gardner as Arthur Brooks TimeLine Theatre Company)

Why This Play Matters

Despite rejection by traditional theaters in Los Angeles and New York, the story of Boulevard of Bold Dreams demands to be told. It’s not just about one woman’s historic victory but also about the untold struggles and triumphs of those who dared to dream in the face of adversity.

Bringing Hattie McDaniel's story to the stage is vital because it serves as a powerful reminder of resilience, representation, and the enduring struggle for equality in the arts. Here's why her story matters:

1. Honoring a Trailblazer

Hattie McDaniel was the first Black actor to win an Academy Award, a monumental achievement during an era of deeply entrenched racism and segregation. Despite her historic victory, she faced discrimination, including being forced to sit at a segregated table at the Oscars and being largely limited to playing stereotypical roles. By spotlighting her story, we celebrate her courage, talent, and groundbreaking contributions to the arts.

2. Illuminating Forgotten History

Many people are unaware of the challenges Hattie McDaniel faced or the broader racial inequalities of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Staging her story educates audiences about the systemic barriers she overcame and the realities of Black performers navigating a segregated entertainment industry.

3. Inspiring Future Generations

Hattie’s story is one of perseverance and determination, showing that success is possible even when the odds are overwhelmingly against you. Sharing her journey inspires future generations of artists, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, to pursue their dreams despite adversity.

Bringing this play to Los Angeles is about:

Honoring the Legacy: Celebrating the life and achievements of Hattie McDaniel and other pioneers who paved the way for future generations.

Amplifying Voices: Highlighting the stories of underrepresented communities and their contributions to Hollywood’s history.

Inspiring Audiences: Showcasing the power of resilience and the courage it takes to pursue your dreams.

What We Need

To independently stage Boulevard of Bold Dreams in Los Angeles, we aim to raise $75,000. Here’s how your support will help:

Venue Rental: Securing a space to host this unforgettable production.

Production Design: Creating the sets, costumes, and ambiance to transport audiences to 1940s Hollywood.

Compensation for Talent: Supporting a diverse cast and crew to bring these characters to life.

Marketing and Outreach: Ensuring this story reaches audiences who need to hear it.

Incentive Tiers – Make Your Contribution Count!

We are grateful for every donation, and to show our appreciation, we’ve created the following incentive tiers:

$2,500 – Patron of the Arts

Special acknowledgment in the program and website.

2 complimentary VIP tickets to the play’s Los Angeles premiere.

$5,000 – Star Supporter

All benefits from the $2,500 tier.

A personal thank-you letter signed by the cast and crew.

A behind-the-scenes tour of the production, including a meet-and-greet with the cast.

$10,000 – Producer’s Circle

All benefits from the $5,000 tier.

Recognition as an “Executive Producer” in the program and on marketing materials.

4 complimentary VIP tickets to the play’s Los Angeles premiere.

An invitation to the exclusive opening night after-party with the cast and creative team.

If you're inspired to give at another level, let us know, and we’ll find ways to recognize your contribution meaningfully!

Goal is to bring this to the LA stages in Spring 2026.

Why Your Support Matters

This project is a labor of love, built on the belief that stories like Boulevard of Bold Dreams deserve a place on stage. By supporting this campaign, you’re helping to share a piece of history and shine a light on voices that have too often been overlooked.

How You Can Help:

Donate: No amount is too small. Every contribution gets us closer to our goal.

Share: Help spread the word by sharing this campaign with your friends, family, and community.

Partner: If you’re part of an organization or business interested in supporting this project, we’d love to collaborate.

Together, We Can Make History Come Alive

Boulevard of Bold Dreams is more than a play—it’s a celebration of ambition, courage, and the fight to break barriers. With your help, we can ensure this story gets the spotlight it deserves.

Let’s bring this dream to Los Angeles and honor the legacy of those who dared to dream boldly.

Media Highlights

BOBD - In Conversation

Praise for BOULEVARD!

Chicago Tribune

“ ★★★…interesting, clever…a superbly acted premiere...

—Chris Jones ”

Chicago Sun Times

“ ★★★1/2… Boulevard of Bold Dreams brilliantly depicts Hattie McDaniel’s dilemma on Oscar night…

—Laura Emerick ”

Idaho Press

“ You may or may not know how her [McDaniels] story goes, but it unfolds heartbreakingly in this play. These three come together by happenstance and perhaps see themselves in one another. What starts off as friendly, jocular banter, takes some unexpected twists and turns.”

Ink 19

“Boulevard of Bold Dreams takes a thought-provoking spin around nearly every side of the debate of how Black people should treat honors from their oppressors and employers. ”

“Boulevard of Bold is a play that cleverly and movingly connect the past to the present. Don't miss it." - Orlando Sentinel

New City Stage

“ In Williams’ script, McDaniel finally gets her say on a complicated legacy... ”

The Sleepless Critic

“ Whether or not a fan of the Academy Awards or Hollywood, Boulevard of Bold Dreams tells an inspiring story for all the dreamers of how one person can create lasting change one step at a time. ”

New England Theatre Mirror

“ Williams’ script does an excellent job of bringing us into the hearts and minds of his fictionalized characters while also conjuring up McDaniel’s conflicted viewpoint. At 100 minutes (no intermission), the play both flows and informs. Yet, given the personal pain and humiliation that accompanied her trailblazing triumph… ”

“ What makes BOULEVARD OF BOLD DREAMS succeed is the tender, layered performances by its three actors, who have tremendous rapport on stage…A delightful, intimate show and well worth seeing. – MetrMag”

Stage and Cinema

“ Playwright LaDarrion Williams has mined a moment in history to explore the human cost of being the first to achieve a milestone in this moving and ultimately affirming exploration of the ambivalence surrounding the first Black person to receive an Academy Award... ”

Buzz Center Stage

“A must-see show […] what playwright Williams gives us is the nuanced dimensions of the internal struggle within Daniels’ heart, and within the Black community. The interweaving of exposition and dramatic interchange is artful at an exceptional level. […] it’s standing-ovation stuff.

—Bill Esle ”

Picture This Post

“ Astounding performances, heartfelt writing, and gorgeous design make Williams’ world premiere a story to remember – particularly for those dreamers in the audience. Boulevard of Dreams is not only a look back at history, but also an invitation to imagine what is to come.

—Lauren Katz ”

The Life and Times of Rikki Lee Travolta

“ Boulevard of Bold Dreams is a powerful, moving and thoroughly electrifying exploration of the human spirit as it relates to the Black experience in Hollywood. […] it is a powerful look at the past, that will give you added insight into the present. You will be moved. ”

Chicago Reader

“ taut and absorbing…punctuated with some stellar fireworks…Boulevard of Bold Dreams taps into both the larger-than-life visions offered on the silver screen, and an astringent view of what it takes to get up there without losing everything that makes you who you are in the first. ”

Let's Play Theatrical Reviews

“ Boulevard of Bold Dreams illustrates the excellence in playwriting, directing, and acting that gets hidden because of racism, discrimination, and segregated audiences, who get blinded by historical racism. Yet, it’s such a well-written, riveting play audiences shouldn’t miss.

—Rick & Brenda McCain ”

Donate today and join us in making this vision a reality!

Production Photos from TimeLine Theatre (Chicago, IL), Alleyway Theatre (Boise, Idaho) and Orlando Shakes (Orlando, FL), Greater Boston Stage Company (Boston, MA)