'Walking Dead' star Danai Gurira to be Macalester commencement speaker

The red-hot actress and playwright will be join by Sounds of Blackness founder Gary Hines

March 28, 2016 at 8:32PM
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

If you thought battling zombies was tough, try tackling Danai Gurira's schedule.

In addition to playing the tough-as-nails warrior Michonne on "The Walking Dead," the multi-talented performer has two plays currently generating buzz in New York: "Familiar" and "Eclipsed," starring Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o.

But Gurira hasn't forgotten where she came from. She'll take a break from being a Broadway baby to serve as a commencement speaker May 14 at Macalester College where she graduated in 2001. She'll be joined on stage by Sounds of Blackness founder and leader Gary Hines, a 1974 alum.

Gurira, who was born in Iowa but grew up in Zimbabwe, attributes much of her passion for acting and the theatre to the St. Paul school.

"I loved being in a city so connected to the arts," Gurira told the Star Tribune in 2012.

about the writer

about the writer

Neal Justin

Critic / Reporter

Neal Justin is the pop-culture critic, covering how Minnesotans spend their entertainment time. He also reviews stand-up comedy. Justin previously served as TV and music critic for the paper. He is the co-founder of JCamp, a non-profit program for high-school journalists, and works on many fronts to further diversity in newsrooms.

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