NAACP Theatre Award-Winning
As Seen Off-Broadway

A soul-stirring autobiographical
solo show that invites audiences
to find their own bloom.

I've always been told I'm a very "guarded" person when it comes to certain things about my life. But being guarded has always been part of my survival. It’s a defense mechanism because if I don’t let you in to see my most intimate, vulnerable and hurt places, you can’t criticize, judge or formulate opinions about me, my family, my choices/experiences. Being guarded protects me from being hurt.  

But I realized that God did not put me on this earth to just survive. He did not intend for me to live life guarded, bound, or fearful. He came so that I may have freedom. And there is freedom in letting my guard down. There is freedom in sharing my story. I was created to use my pain for art to bring glory to His Name and hope/inspiration to others.
 

This show is bigger than me. I understand my purpose. Doesn't make this journey less painful or the process any easier; it just makes it have meaning. God put a story in me and it's my duty to share it, to confront it and to grow from it. He put a story in all of us. Our stories are valuable and can change hearts as well as heal our own. Our stories can set us free.

And I just know, that this freedom I so desperately yearn for, is right there waiting for me...waiting for us. It's time I plant my seed. 

Candace Nicholas-Lippman is an NAACP Theatre Award-winning playwright, actress, spoken word artist, and storyteller whose work is rooted in truth, vulnerability, and lived experience.

She is best known for her role as Janelle on the Emmy Award-winning Starz series Blindspotting and as Yari on Freeform’s Good Trouble, where she debuted her original spoken word piece “Dear Black Girl.” Her additional television credits include Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) and Grounded (Facebook Watch). On stage, she received a Best Lead Actress in a Comedy nomination for her performance in the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Fat Ham, and has appeared in Head of Passes at the Mark Taper Forum.

Candace is the creator and performer of the NAACP Theatre Award-winning solo show A Rose Called Candace, a deeply personal work that blends theater, spoken word, and movement. The production has been staged in Los Angeles, Off-Broadway, and in collaboration with JuVee Productions. Through this work, she invites audiences to confront pain, embrace healing, and discover the freedom that comes from owning their story.

Beyond performance, Candace is committed to using her artistry to uplift and empower others through storytelling that centers authenticity, resilience, and community..

Summer 2025

 JUNE 20-29
Fri + Sat 8pm

Sun 3pm

The Robey Theater Company
514 S Spring Street. Los Angeles 90013

Summer 2024

 JUNE 21-23
Fri + Sat 8pm

Sun 2pm

The Odyssey Theatre Ensemble
2055 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles 90025

WINTER 2020

 JANUARY 26
Sun 3pm + 8pm

The Broadwater Second Stage
6320 Santa Monica
Los Angeles, CA 90038

FALL 2019

MARCH 24
Wed 7:30pm

United Solo Theatre Festival

Theatre Row
410 West 42nd Street
New York City

SPRING 2019

MARCH 24
Sun 3pm

Los Angeles Womenś Theatre Festival. Theatre 68
5112 Lankershim Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91601

SPRING 2018

APRIL 27 - APRIL 29
Fri + Sat 8pm
Sun 3pm
 The Actors Company
916 A N Formosa Ave
Los Angeles, CA

WINTER 2018

 JANUARY 28
Sun 2pm + 8pm

Two Roads Theatre
4348 Tujunga Ave.
Studio City, CA 

"

I’ve seen literally hundreds of solo plays, some good, some wonderful, all striving to bridge that great divide between the artist and the audience. A play can be entertaining. It can be informative, moving, and powerful but it’s a rare thing indeed to reach into every heart in the room and to change them. A Rose Called Candace does exactly that.

--SamanthaRonceros, NoHoArts Theatre Editor

"

Inspiring and beautiful. It is so vulnerable and raw and thank you for sharing your journey. Can’t wait to see what the future holds.

--Aaron Testa, ABC Casting Coordinator

"

When my roommate asked if I wanted to see his friend’s one woman show I couldn’t have rolled my eyes harder. But he said I’d like it and I didn’t come up with an excuse quick enough and so today I sat in a small theater in Hollywood, dreading the next sixty minutes and plotting my post-show burrito. An hour later, I couldn’t speak - this show destroyed me. I wept and laughed and then wept some more. I have never experienced an energy quite like Candace Nicholas Lippman’s; she pierced my soul with her truth in ways I didn’t know I needed, and I’m so, so glad I couldn’t think quick enough to flake out on one of the best performances I’ve seen in a long time. She plans to take this show on tour and when it comes to your city, you need to go. The best art changes how you see the world, and every single person left that tiny theater with new eyes today. Thank you Candace for sharing your story and blowing my mind so hard I forgot all about my burrito.

--Travis Grossi, Writer/Comedian

"

Amazing! Game changer! I was so moved by the sheer authenticity of this work of art! Kudos, Candace and Kaira! #ARoseCalledCandace.

--Maria Howell, Actress/Singer, “The Color Purple” (1985)

"

Incredibly moving show. Candace is a powerhouse talent and her vivid and emotional performance of such a personal story left me speechless for quite a while after I left the theater. Strongly recommend.

--Kathryn Tyus-Adair, Film Executive/Producer

"

It was so raw, real and beautiful. The way she embodied each character on stage as if there were multiple actors was mind blowing. I have never seen anything like it before. She definitely deserves a Tony Award for this. The entire experience was priceless.

.

--LaShae De Lana, New Digital Media.

"

I think in five years time, many of us who were in the audience on 1-28-18 will be able to say, “we knew her when…” This is a beautiful, heartbreaking, life-affirming piece of theater which should not be missed by ANYONE.

--Jan Munroe, Actor/Writer

"

It doesn’t matter what you believe in, you will be moved. This is a story of faith and love. Period.

--Joy C. Hooper, Actress/Coach

"

POWERFUL show! From beginning to end, Candace pulls the audience into the story and doesn’t drop them for even a second. I was hooked; this woman who I know through acting class as a bubbly, warm and energetic person now I was getting to know the person behind all of that. And I couldn’t have been more grateful to you for allowing me to witness your light. From a storytelling perspective...masterful direction from Kaira Akita. If this was your first time directing Kaira, it better not be your last! Excited to see this show grow, you better believe I’ll be there for the next one!

--Shaan Dasani, Actor/Filmmaker

"

Brilliant. Original. Stellar performance. It's not just entertainment, it's ministry. Definitely a must see!

--Frexinet Johnson, Actor/Poet/Rapper