Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Nolan TO RELEASE NEW SOCIAL JUSTICE HYMN
Launching phase two of his FREEDOM ADVANCES civic engagement campaign, Nolan has penned the social justice hymn "JUST LIKE SELMA" to highlight the history that led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
A music video of the hymn will be released as a PSA on the 2026 MLK Holiday and the official single will be released in February on all streaming platforms to mark the centenary of Black History Month.
Also in February, more than 100 churches, chapels, choirs and organizations will participate in the 'Just Like Selma' Hymn-sing Project.
March 22-27, 2026
NOLAN TO LEAD ‘6th & Jazz’ for a fIFTh year
This March, Nolan will again lead ‘6th & Jazz,‘ an immersive educational program he has designed in collaboration with the Dr Phillips Center to introduce sixth graders to the jazz genre.
NOLAN TO PREMIERE COMMISSIONED WORK THIS JUNE
Nolan has been commissioned by the Children's Chorus of Washington to create a new choral work in honor of CCW’s 30th anniversary.
The work, titled "I've Learned to Sing," will be premiered in June 2026. Stay tuned for more information.
#1 - Nolan Wins Cannes Film Awards Prize
Nolan's #1 highlight of 2025 was winning the 2025 Cannes Film Awards prize for "Best Director, Animation Music Video." With a record 5,538 submissions from around the globe, this honor is a powerful testament to his directorial vision and the extraordinary talent of the entire Rise Up & Fight production team.
To date, Rise Up & Fight has earned 103 international film, music, and media honors—cementing its place as one of the most highly decorated film shorts in history.
Click below to view or learn more about the work.
Georgetown University & The Kennedy Center present...
#2 - 'LET FREEDOM RING' @ THE KENNEDY CENTER
In January 2025, Nolan returned for a 20th year to music produce 'Let Freedom Ring,' the annual MLK Day concert featuring Christopher Jackson, esperanza spalding, Chelsey Green, Lew Sid, and the NEWorks Voices of America. Hosted by Taye Diggs.
This concert event was one for the ages!
#3 - 'GRACE' WORK SESSION IN CHICAGO
In February, Nolan, along with co-book writer Nikkole Salter (pictured) and the creative team behind GRACE, the Musical completed a developmental work session in Chicago.
"We're taking the time we feel we need to make a good thing great," says Nolan.
Stay tuned for more exciting updates.
#4 - Nolan APPOINTED TO HOWARD UNIVERSITY BOARD OF VISITORS
While his appointment to the Howard University School of Divinity Board of Visitors came in 2024, Nolan was honored to have been officially pinned by Dean Kenyatta Gilbert in September of last year and is excited to support his alma mater.
#5 - Nolan named a 2026 dccah arts & humanities fellow
Rounding of the highlights list... the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities named Nolan a 2026 Arts & Humanities Fellow. Through this fellowship, Nolan will receive a grant to support the development and production of an interdisciplinary project of his design.
HONORABLE MENTION #2 - Arkansas New Play Festival
This past Spring, Nolan was a featured composer for the 2025 Arkansas New Play Festival, produced by TheatreSquared in Fayetteville, AK. He contributed to a reading of Candrice Jones's new work, "Play On Jody," starring Guiseppe Jones and Deborah Joy Winans.