photo courtesy of Jessica Haye & Clark Hsiao

NOVA ​CYPRESS ​BLACK

(dey/dem/NOVA)

[no-vuh]

gender neutral.

a star that expands ​over time, yet always ​returns to its origin.

NOVA CYPRESS BLACK

writes deir name in all caps as a reminder to take up space as a Black trans gender-expansive lighthouse.


This proud alum of the 2021 Outfest Screenwriting Lab & 2021 Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab was a Staff Writer on season 3 of The ​L Word: Generation Q. NOVA was also 1 of 7 trans writers who made the 2022 GLAAD List. Deir poetry has graced the pages of ​Fifth Wheel Press; 580 Split; Zone 3 Press; etc. This disabled Libra is currently a Writing Fellow in Film Independent’s 2024 Project ​Involve & a Screenwriting Fellow in Lambda Literary’s 2024 Writers Retreat.


NOVA's first produced short film, SWEET TOOTH, premiered on RevoltTV’s Short & Fresh series–in a Damn Write Originals ​compilation. NOVA’s solo directorial debut, (dey/dem): a choreo-doc, has been a recipient of grants from Southern Documentary ​Fund; National Black Arts; Arts & Entertainment Atlanta; & Idea Capital. The short experimental documentary won Cycle 2, Season ​2 of ATLFilmParty during deir time as Sequoia Ascension’s 2023 Artist-in-Residence.


Dey penned, choreographed, & produced the ensemble choreoplays: “another goddamn lesbian movie / a choreopoem.” (NYC, ​2017) & “somewheres: a world-in-progress,” (NYC, 2020). Deir first movement solo, (POST-OP): a-well-in-progress, came out of ​NOVA’s 2023 Summer Artist-in-Residence with Fly On A Wall.


This genre-defying writer, ancestrally-led choreographer, budding documentarian & passionate educator pledges allegiance ​to liberation & pleasure.


P

A

G

E

S

DEEP DISH DIMPLES

short screenplay. Directed by Film Independent Directing Fellow Manuel Villarreal. Starring Angelica Ross & Brian Michael Smith. Jan 2025.

Resuscitating the Alphabet; week I-don't-even-know-anymore on T or voice euphoria; Contrary to ​Popular Belief, Pussy Eats Me

poems. fifth wheel press: dreamland. Sept 2023.

LAST TO KNOW

episode 304 of The L Word: Generation Q. Directed by Em Weinstein. Dec 2022.

SWEET TOOTH

short screenplay. Directed by Britt Banks. Premiered on REVOLTTV. August 2022.

BL​ACKSEED

teleplay. 2022 GLAAD List. Developed during 2021 Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab. April 2022.

EXT. HERE - DAY; AD-LIB

poems. 580 Split: Push Black. July 2021.

HOW TO MAKE A PLAYLIST

poem. Zone 3 Press. Spring 2020. Winner of 2nd Annual Broadside Competition.

THE DUVET WHISPERS TO THE SEX SWING

audio poem. Poetry Foundation’s VS Podcast: Franny and Danez vs. the Mailbag. May 2020.

SOMEWHERES: A WORLD-IN-PROGRESS

choreoplay. Directed by NOVA CYPRESS BLACK. NYC. March 2020.

OPEN FLOOR PLAN I, II, & III; MEMORY LANE; GEMINI SEASON

audio scripts. Dipsea Stories app. Remote. June 2019 - Feb 2020.

ANOTHER GODDAMN LESBIAN MOVIE / A CHOREOPOEM.

choreoplay. Directed by NOVA CYPRESS BLACK. NYC. June 2017.

photo: j. weary

S​C​R​E​E​N​S

(dey/dem): a choreo-doc (2023)

Director

an experimental documentary illuminating Black non-binary folks in the ​American Souf & deir connection to the nearly erased history of gender ​expansiveness within the African diaspora.

Last to Know (2022)

Co-writer

episode 304 of The L Word: Generation Q: Micah finds a queer role ​model while a new face helps Dani and Sophie break out of their funk. ​Meanwhile, Alice tests the waters of her new relationship. Shocking ​truths come to light when the masks come off.

Honey Bee (2020)

Co-Director

music video by Neptune XXI ft. Joie Kathos & Mitch Lakes. Sometimes ​fantasy meets reality for the sweetest daydream.


photo courtesy of Jessica Haye & Clark Hsiao

S​T​A​G​E​S

Lunch Meal Line Icon

POST-OP: a well-in-progress

somewheres: a world-in-progress

Fruits gradient icon

photo: Christina Massad

photo: Imani Dennison

photo: Muse Dodd

another goddamn lesbian movie/ ​a choreopoem.

a solo performance honoring the process of ​recovery after top surgery

when Z uses plant magic to summon their post-​apocalyptic self, they discover a wondrous realm where ​Black queer & trans people are the last living beings

a group of Brooklyn-based Black queer friends navigate ​their love lives during a period of political calamity.

June 2023. East Point, GA. Fly on a Wall’s ​Summer 2023 Artist-in-Residence.

June 2017. NYC. Brooklyn Arts Council’s 2017 ​Local Arts Grant Recipient



March 2020. NYC. The Performance Project at ​University Settlement’s Emerging Guest Artist.


C​L​A​S​S​R​O​O​M​S

CREATIVE ​WRITING

FREELANCE ​TEACHING ​ARTIST & ​CURRICULUM ​WRITER

DANCE

THEATER

CONTACT

email​

novacypressblack@gmail.com