Brandon Hughes
WRITER/PLAYWRIGHT/PRODUCER/DIRECTOR/ACTOR
Written at the end of 2014, Brandon Hughes’ one-man play, “The Absent Father, the Wayward Son,” is a story about love, repentance, forgiveness, and redemption. After noticing the success of the first couple of his self-produced shows, a SF theater company offered Brandon Hughes a run at their theater. But due what Brandon felt was a shady contract and questionable business practices, he declined the offer and decided to continue to fund his own production.
He continued renting out theaters with his own funds or through loans, becoming his own theater producer. The first performance was held at Chabot College’s Stage One theater, June 20, 2015. On June 14th, 2025, he gave a 10th year anniversary performance at the HUSD Performing Arts Center in Hayward, CA.
Since the first show, “The Absent Father, the Wayward Son” has been performed at various theaters in cities including Hayward, Oakland, SF, Los Angeles, Dallas, Sacramento, and soon to be in Atlanta. Additionally, the show has been performed at several middle and high schools, sometimes followed by an interactive talk-back with students.
“Being the producer and promoter of a one-man play you also have to rehearse and perform in, ain’t for the weak. It can be mentally exhausting. Not everyone who says they will open a door for you, opens one. So you have to open your own door, after you install it. I’m grateful for every person who has opened their doors and helped me along this journey…. I’m called to do this. And since God gave me the gift I better use it.” —Brandon Hughes
BIO: Brandon Hughes is the founder of Brandon Hughes Productions, and is a multi-hyphenate producer/writer/director/actor from Oakland, CA. A returning student and graduate of the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television, Brandon was also a commencement speaker at his graduation ceremony! (View Brandon’s graduation speech under PORTFOLIO)
Brandon has produced, written, and directed for theater, videos, web series, and shorts. He is also the author of the novel, “The Man Behind The Curtain.” A novel used in several middle and high school classrooms (See: BOOKS).
Most recently, Brandon directed, produced, and edited his first short documentary film, “In Times Such as These: Revolutionary Leadership in Action.” A film about three Black women who make history as leaders in Berkeley, California as they navigate through a challenging school district.
Currently, Brandon Hughes is seeking funding on his next short film he wrote and will direct, entitled, “Mama’s Sun.” As he continues to produce live theater productions, he sometimes works as an artist-in-residence, presenting engaging workshops, including: Filmmaking, Creative Writing, Directing, Acting, Script Analysis, and Playwriting. (See CONTACT page for bookings).
