Teresa Coleman Wash - Biography

(Playwright/Executive Artistic Director/Founder)

Teresa Coleman Wash started her theatrical career a decade ago when she found that a complete market place of people were being deprived of good, wholesome family entertainment. With a desire to write and direct, Wash placed her multitude of talents into one basket when she left her radio account manager position at WFOX-97.1 FM in Atlanta, GA and turned her attention to the theater.

In 1993, Mrs. Wash teamed up with promoters out of Miami, Florida who booked her very first play, "The Test Of Time" in several cities throughout the Southwest. The play toured Chattanooga, Tennessee and such Georgia cities as Savannah, Macon, Fitzgerald and Albany. It was during this year that the playwright also formed and founded TeCo Theatrical Productions, Inc., a multi-cultural theater company that provides artistic and cultural opportunities to children and families who live in at-risk communities.  Currently serving as the Executive Director for the agency, Teresa manages the day-to-day operations of the organization and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Albany State University in Georgia.  Her theatrical background includes professional training from Georgia State University and the Alliance Theater Company.  In addition to her work with TeCo, Mrs. Wash is a nationally-renowned playwright who has written touring productions for ALW Entertainment.  

The year 2000 marked important changes for Mrs. Wash both personally and professionally. Upon wedding National Tour Promoter Al Wash, moving to the Dallas area and becoming a mother, Teresa was faced with the challenge of recreating her theatrical dreams and re-establishing TeCo in unfamiliar territory. It wasn't long before she merged her talents and began to establish new projects for her new home.

The latter part of the year proved to present Wash yet again with an extraordinary opportunity. "I guess some of the best things happen in life when you don't expect them. I certainly wasn't looking for the 'Been There Done That' project to be dropped in my lap but I know it was a blessing that it was." Been There Done That was written by Wash and starred television Judge Greg Mathis, award winning recording artist Fred Hammond and film/stage veteran Phyllis Yvonne Stickney. The tour began in January 2001 and played to sold out audiences in primary markets across the country grossing over $6,000,000 in sales for ALW Entertainment in just four short months.  Mrs. Wash select writing credits include The Color Of Love (1998), Delayed But Not Denied (1998), Angels Watching Over Me (1997), A Divided Soul (1996) and The Test Of Time (1991) national tour.              

While working on the Been There Done That project, Teresa also developed a script for The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL) cultural arts program in Dallas, Texas.  TeCo in partnership with TBAAL presented Succeeding Beyond The Limits, an educational stage play that dispels the misconceptions associated with children who have learning differences.  It was staged in February 2001 at the Dallas Convention Center with more than 1,200 students, teachers and parents in attendance. Since then,  Succeeding has toured nearly 100 schools and recreation centers throughout the Dallas metro area.

Wash admits that her life has been full of determination coupled with happen stance but she doesn't deny that although the ride has been uncertain, it's definitely been fulfilling. "It's the many trials, endeavors and uncertainties that continue to provide me with story lines."  She continues to develop new and exciting projects but admits that more than anything, she creates opportunities for other artists.   

The playwright is the recipient of several awards and accolades, most recently the Trailblazer Award for the National Association for the Study and Performance of African-American Music,  Elite News Women of Excellence Award, Radio One's  Community Service Award, and  the Professional Women's Association Mabel Meshack White Award.  She is Co-Chair for the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce Arts & Culture Committee, a board member for the Oak Cliff Lions Club, Texans for the Arts, and a member of The Dramatist Guild of America.  She lives in Dallas with her husband, national touring promoter, Al Wash and two boys, Albert and Alijah.