INGA BALLARD
From New Jersey Stage
"Having Our Say at George Street Playhouse"
"This difference was reflected in their parts in the campaign for civil rights: Bessie was a leading figure in the protest movement, and Sadie was more inclined toward passive resistance. Both were apt to point out the humor in their experiences and together would laps into paroxysms of laughter. Ballard’s and Coleman’s presentation of those episodes as well as moments of melancholy and even grief are convincing and moving."
"Capital Rep's 'Sweat' a bracing slap from the recent past"
by Steve Barnes (Albany Times Union)
"Nottage, who won her first Pulitzer in 2009 for "Ruined," builds the story and relationships in layers. Her acute ear for working-class dialogue and eye for the frictions baked into long friendships is only occasionally marred by an impulse for poetry and dilation. (Though gripping, The Rep's production feels every bit of its running time of two hours and 40 minutes.)
On a set by the ever-reliable Brian Prather that incorporates an industrial backdrop behind a working-class neighborhood tavern, we come to know the interwoven lives of Chris, Jason, their mothers Inga Ballard and LeeAnne Hutchison, respectively), a former factory worked-turned-bartender (Michael Pemberton), Chris' opioid-addict father (William Oliver Watkins, amazingly good) and others.
Even if the entire audience had bingo cards to mark off perfect acting moments, there are so many that everyone would win with full cards. Hear Ballard's full-throated defense of why her character rightly deserved a promotion after 24 years on the factory floor."
From Broadway World
"Chicken & Biscuits at Crossroads Theatre Company-An Excellent Comedic Play"
"Simply stated, you'll love this cast. They capture the drama, hilarity, and the bizarre moments of Chicken & Biscuits. The company includes Inga Ballard as Baneatta, Eddie Gouveia Blackman as Reginald; Madison McBride as La'Trice; Candice McKoy as Beverly; Matt Dengler as Logan; George Pearson Roberts as Kenny; and Deja Anderson-Ross as Simone; and Ashley Nicole Baptiste as Brianna."
From DC Theater Arts
"‘Familiar’ at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company"
"Oh, but there’s a carved antique Christian cross on the wall. And Donald, the husband (a stalwart Kim Sullivan), attempts to hang a map of Zimbabwe, but his wife, Marvelous (a marvelously authoritative Inga Ballard), wants it taken down. The conflict that’s to heat up between Western values and African traditions has only just begun—and already laughter is rolling sitcom style."