Phylicia Rashad’s Purpose
Phylicia Rashad discovered her calling at age 11 while leaving a student music festival in Houston in 1959. As the festival’s mistress of ceremonies, she had won the role through a contest among Black elementary schools, which remained segregated despite the Brown v. Board of Education ruling. Wearing a yellow pinafore dress and a flower tiara, she confidently addressed a 9,000-seat auditorium, speaking into the bright spotlight.
As she exited the venue, Rashad overheard mothers admiring her eloquence and beauty. This moment was transformative for her, as she had never considered herself beautiful, often comparing herself unfavorably to her lighter-skinned siblings. The recognition sparked a revelation—she wanted to be an actress, to exist in the light and be seen as beautiful.
Now 76, Rashad has spent over five decades in the limelight. She made her Broadway debut in 1971 and became widely known as Clair Huxtable on “The Cosby Show” in the 1980s. In 2004, she became the first Black woman to win a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her role in “A Raisin in the Sun.” Recently, she transitioned to directing with Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’s play “Purpose.”
Directing, much like motherhood, often lacks glamour, but Rashad embraces the challenge. She sees it as her role to align all creative energies towards serving the text. As a director, she fosters an environment of trust, allowing actors to delve deeply into their roles.
At a Midtown breakfast interview, Rashad, dressed in a purple turtleneck and gold necklace, radiated calmness. Living in Mount Vernon, N.Y., since the 1980s, she starts her days at 5 a.m., practicing Siddha yoga, a discipline she adopted in 1980 after meeting Swami Muktananda. She finds meaning in observing sunrises and connecting with the world around her.
Rashad is directing “Purpose,” a play about the Jasper family, a prominent Chicago political dynasty grappling with internal conflicts. The cast includes Jon Michael Hill, Glenn Davis, Harry Lennix, and LaTanya Richardson Jackson. Rashad’s presence immediately earns the actors’ trust, allowing deep, nuanced performances.
Her career began with a summer internship at the Negro Ensemble Company while at Howard University. She moved to New York in 1968 and made her Broadway debut in “Ain’t Supposed to Die a Natural Death.” Despite early struggles, she persevered, appearing in “The Wiz” and touring with “Josephine Superstar” before gaining recognition.
Her big break came in 1984 with “The Cosby Show.” As Clair Huxtable, she embodied elegance and intelligence, helping redefine Black family representation on television. Despite later controversies surrounding Bill Cosby, Rashad has focused on her own contributions, winning another Tony Award in 2022 for “Skeleton Crew.”
Beyond acting, Rashad has directed ten plays, including works by August Wilson. In 2023, Steppenwolf Theater Company’s Glenn Davis recruited her to direct “Purpose,” impressed by her ability to nurture actors and bring out their best performances.
During a visit to South Carolina six years ago, Rashad rescued a shivering kitten from a tree, naming it Dolores. Her gentle and nurturing spirit extends to her directing style, where she whispers guidance to actors, ensuring they feel secure and respected in their creative process.
For Rashad, acting and directing are acts of service. She believes a performance gains significance when approached with selfless devotion, focusing on the work rather than personal acclaim. This philosophy underpins her career, ensuring that each role she takes on is a meaningful contribution.
Reflecting on her childhood moment of recognition, Rashad now understands that beauty was never about appearance but about authenticity. She realizes that those women had admired her confidence and sincerity onstage, qualities that have defined her remarkable career.
