By Tammy Reese
The 2025 Tribeca Festival has now come to a close and NYWIFT was right there on the scene to witness it all!
This year, NYWIFT Media Hosts Tammy Reese and LaKisa Renee covered a variety of red carpets, exclusive premieres, and special events. One enchanting stop in particular was the World Premiere of It’s Dorothy! — a Spotlight Documentary selection that transported audiences down memory lane and into the iconic world of Oz.
Directed by Jeffrey McHale, It’s Dorothy! is a vibrant, heartfelt, and insightful essay film that explores the evolution of Dorothy Gale, one of America’s most enduring fictional characters. From Judy Garland’s legendary portrayal to the many reinterpretations across stage and screen, the film showcases how Dorothy has shaped American pop culture.
The documentary features appearances from Ashanti, Fairuza Balk, Lena Waithe, Margaret Cho, and more, illuminating Dorothy’s influence across generations and genres.
NYWIFT’s very own LaKisa Renee and Tammy Reese had the privilege of interviewing three incredible women who have each worn Dorothy’s ruby slippers in different iconic productions: Nichelle Lewis, Danielle Hope, and Shanice Shantay.
(Image courtesy of Tribeca)
LaKisa Renee with Nichelle Lewis — Star of the recent Broadway revival of The Wiz, Nichelle shares what it means to bring Dorothy to life for a new generation and the responsibility of honoring such a beloved role.
Watch the full interview here:
LaKisa Renee with Danielle Hope — Winner of the BBC’s Over The Rainbow, Danielle took center stage as Dorothy in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium. She talks about her journey from competition to curtain call.
Watch the full interview here:
Tammy Reese with Shanice Shantay — Best known for portraying Dorothy in NBC’s The Wiz Live!, Shanice reflects on her experience bringing Oz to prime time and what the character means to her personally.
Watch the full interview here:
From backstage buzz to red carpet glam, Tammy and LaKisa captured some unforgettable moments at Tribeca this year — including behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, impromptu celeb shoutouts, and raw reflections on storytelling, legacy, and representation.
Make sure to follow the NYWIFT blog for continuing Tribeca Festival coverage, exclusive interviews, and more incredible spotlights on women in media.
And for even more content, subscribe to Tales From The Media — where you’ll find expanded interviews, red carpet highlights, and deeper dives into the stories shaping the industry.
Stay tuned — because the Tribeca recap journey has just begun. And remember: there’s no place like NYWIFT.
Tammy Reese
Tammy Reese is CEO of Visionary Minds PR & Media, and a New York award winning Actress, Writer, and Journalist.
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