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In 1993, the African American Theatre Program began as an idea, presented by Dr. Stephen Schultz, to the department chair of Theatre Arts. Ten years later, it is an academic program, which has captured the attention of well known actors such as Hattie Winston, co-star of the CBS sitcom Becker, and playwright-actor John O'Neal.
On August 22, the AATP held its 10th Anniversary Celebration Kick-off to open yet another year in one of the University of Louisville's most unique programs. Making an appearance at the event were Winston and O'Neal, who were named honorary citizens of Louisville by the mayor's office.
Along with Louisville citizenship, Winston and O'Neal were named honorary co-chairs of the African American Theatre Program at U of L.
Winston, who learned of the AATP from program director Dr. Lundeana Thomas, said she enjoys being a part of such an exclusive program.
"When she [Thomas] came to the University of Louisville she told me of a program she was involved in and I thought it was quite incredible," Winston said. "I enjoy seeing the light in their [students] eyes, the joy, their enthusiasm. It's not for them that I'm doing it. I'm doing it for myself to help me remember."
A collection of Winston's scripts and screenplays is currently displayed in the lower level of the Ekstrom Library. The university also welcomed O'Neal, who was the founder of the first black theatre in America to tour the south, as a distinguished guest faculty for the fall 2003 semester at U of L.
The AATP, which started as "a couple of classes, with some sort of public presentation," said Rinda Frye, publicity director for the AATP, is now a specialized program within the Department of Theatre Arts.
"It has grown to nine courses, a minor in African American Theatre and one in Cultural Studies, a post-graduate certificate in African American Theatre, a small touring company and to two full black centered productions per year," Frye said.
The AATP offers an in-depth curriculum which focuses on the history, literature, performance, theory, designing, the craft of acting and other specialized aspects of black theatre.
"It gives students the opportunity to immerse themselves, to perform in, design for and experience Afro-centered theatre," Frye said. "This is a unique experience for all our students, to be part of the culture of America in its fullest, to help create the theater of the future by more fully understanding our past."
Frye also believes the AATP builds upon what African American students know about their heritage and culture, while simultaneously training them in the "classics." The program is not only beneficial to African American students, she added, but helps all students "see the world in new ways."
"I think they [AATP students and directors] enrich the entire community," Frye said. "Our season reflects the diversity of our program as a whole."
In May 2003, the AATP reached new heights, when six African American students graduated with a Master of Fine Arts.
"This is certainly a record for us and probably for any theatre program in the country," Russell Vandenbroucke, chairman of the theatre department said. "It's not having six MFA's per se, but six who are African American."
The goals of the African American Theatre Program in the upcoming year are to celebrate the success of the program in its ten years of existence, to bring celebrated artists and academicians to the city to interact with U of L students and to interest community members in black theatre, director Lundeana Thomas said. The program also plans to initiate a national publicity campaign about the program by providing national and international validation and to discuss with colleagues the future of black theatre at predominantly white universities, she added.
Shawn Knight, 26 year-old graduate student in performance, believes the AATP has helped him appreciate a wider variety of people, interests and skills.
"I have had entire courses about African American theatre that would never be offered in most schools," Knight said. "It gives me a fuller sense of both the theatre and the cultural importance of an entire race of people that I might otherwise have never known."
Knight hopes he will get the chance to share what he has learned through the AATP when he ventures out into the theatre world after finishing college. Knight said he has had the chance to assess his own prejudices and confront them in roles he has played in AATP performances.
"These courses are taught with such passion, which is a bonus," Knight said. "So many other places, one might find people teaching African American theatre history, for example, merely because they have to. Not here."
Knight looks forward to an increase in the attendance at AATP functions and hopes the existence and importance of the program will be publicized.
"I think the AATP is important on the U of L campus because it is a program we should all be proud of," he said. "There is no other program quite like this anywhere else in the country, and that's something to brag about."
Since its creation in 1993, the AATP has grown steadily into a revolutionary program in theatre arts.
"It [AATP] has made our department, our classes, and our productions more diverse and inclusive," Vandenbroucke said. "It distinguishes what we do from most theatre departments in America and abroad."
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