Baker Artist Portfolios

Rain Pryor is an entertainer, director, writer, and, playwright.
Rain is a truly brilliant performer. Her performances are considered thought provoking through truthful storytelling, and she has spot on mimicry, which landed her to be nominated by the NAACP three times. She won an NAACP for her irreverent solo show “Fried Chicken & Latkes, and for her role as the evil stepsister in the Michael Jackson produced musical Sisterella. She was nominated for the prestigious ADELCO Awards for her Off Broadway run at the National Black Theatre in Harlem.

Her writing and performance in her award winning solo show lead to a television development deal with Norman Lear, the creator of The Jefferson’s and All In The Family. And she is currently writing and creating pitches for a new television series, to be filmed in Baltimore MD, and Nigeria.

Pryor was nominated for the African American Literary Award in 2007 for her biography Jokes My Father Never Taught Me, Life Love & Loss With Richard Pryor, and has won numerous Black Short film awards for That Daughter’s Crazy documentary.

She is also a director, who is known for her superior work ethic, and integrity. She taught acting at Center Stage, Baltimore School For The Arts, and was honored at Coppin State University Theatre Arts Conference in 2019. And recently at the American College Theatre Festival Regional 2.

Pryor’s transition into directing comes as no surprise. She has directed “MILF, Mom I’d Like to Follow” written and performed by Comedian Meshelle The Indie Mom of Comedy. The show won Best Stand Up, at the United Solo Festival in NY and has played to sold out crowds across the country, including Joe’s Pub in NYC.

“Mother May I’ by humorist, Dylan Brody was Pryor’s directorial debut. The show was the Strands first World Premier and was sold out. The DC Theatre Scene -

“You know a dysfunctional family drama is working when you think to yourself “My family is crackers, but they are nothing compared to this brood.” That’s what happens during the second act of Mother, May I, the world premiere production of Dylan Brody’s dramedy presented with neurotic panache by director Rain Pryor at Baltimore’s Strand Theater.” - DC Theatre Scene *for full review https://dctheatrescene.com/2012/09/25/mother-may-i/

“Fried Chicken and Latkes" is Pryor's award winning solo show, a hilarious and heart-wrenching story of growing up black and Jewish in a politically incorrect era. Her father was comic genius Richard Pryor, and her mother a Jewish GOGO dancer, turned astronomer. Discover how Pryor finds her identity in both worlds, and works to change ours. Directed by Eve Brandstein.

Pryor has received rave reviews from Los Angeles Times "Critics Choice" and her singing voice and sense of timing were hailed as rare gifts. NY Times "Critic Pick" and NY Times review said, "..she has an outsized presence built for Broadway."

"Fried Chicken and Latkes" played to sold out crowds and standing ovations every night at the 375 seat theatre in Beverly Hills, CA, and repeated that success at the Culture Project in New York, Chicago, Ohio, Virginia, Texas, Scotland, Atlanta, Harlem, North Carolina, Arizona, San Jose, and Santa Monica CA.

She currently resides in Baltimore with her husband Dave Vane, and daughter, and, teaches episodic screenwriting at Baltimore School For The Arts.