[5] While working as an actor, Ward began writing plays, one of which he showed to his friend Robert Hooks, which became Day of Absence.
Directed by Philip Meister, this production starred Lonne Elder as Clem, Arthur French as Luke, Robert Hooks as John, Barbara Ann Teer as Mary, Douglas Turner as the Mayor, and Adolph Caesar as Jackson.
Directed by the playwright, Ward, this production starred Frances Foster, Tiffany Hendry, William Jay, and Tom Rosqui.
First, the announcer speaks with Mr. Council Clan, a parody of a Ku Klux Klan member, who blames the disappearance on the government, and while wanting the expulsion of Black residents, believes that it is not the right time to do such.
The announcer then interviews a religious official, Reverend Reb Pious, who accuses the Black residents of the town of immorally utilizing “voodoo” spells to disappear.
Jackson arrives, however, to inform the mayor that most of his claimed sources of aid have fallen through, that there have been multiple threats on his life, and that the city will promptly descend into anarchy in one hour.
The mayor, increasingly desperate, becomes convinced that if he delivers a nationally broadcast speech addressed to his town's Black residents, they will certainly return.
After a prolonged blackout with chaos being simulated, which eventually comes to a quiet halt, the announcer reveals that the mayor was severely beaten by a mob, which almost led to his death.
Alexis Soloski, writing for The New York Times, noted that some actors had not completely committed their lines to memory, but that “the presence” of the show itself was enough for many.
[14] After the premiere of Day of Absence, Ward published an article in The New York Times articulating the need for more Black theatre in the United States.
After being noticed by the Ford Foundation, Ward, Hooks, and producer Gerald Krone received a $1.2 million grant to found the Negro Ensemble Company (NEC).
[16] Further, a walk-out organized by the Milwaukee Bucks of a game against the Orlando Magic in the 2020 NBA Playoffs as a part of the Jacob Blake protests has been linked to Ward's Day of Absence.