Contact Info:
Black Theater Alliance
Awards, Inc.
412 E. 43rd St. #305
Chicago, IL. 60653
773-624-5729
btaainc@hotmail.com

Ticket Information •     

Richard Roundtree's Bio •     
and Photo       

Richard Roundtree's •     
Interview       

2010 BTAA Nominees •    

Past Award Recipients •    

Past Award Photos •    





BTAA
The Black Theater Alliance Awards, Inc.(BTAA) was founded in 1995, by Vincent Williams who serves as president of the organization. BTAA is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit entity, founded to honor African Americans who achieve excellence in theater, dance and all areas of the performing and technical arts in the Chicagoland area.

BTAA presents an annual awards ceremony, a professional upbeat program featuring performances from the nominated season.

BTAA's award statuette features a gold plated oval star mounted on a black marble base. According to BTAA founder and president Vincent Williams, "the star symbolizes excellence and the power of hope that our awardees give to our community, which is also represented by the black marble base." The categories of achievement range from performing to the technical aspects of theater. Also, BTAA administers an Award of Merit to a special honoree that has made a significant contribution to the world of the performing arts.


Click the play button below to watch video of the awards show.


Vincent Williams conceived and collaborated with David Barr and Mamie Till-Mobley in creating The State of Mississippi v. Emmett Till. A native of Chicago, Illinois, Vincent is an actor, singer and producer. As an actor, Vincent has performed in such plays as Godspell, Pippin, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Wiz, Guys and Dolls, Applause, and Once On This Island. Vincent's stage manager credits are A Soldier's Play, The Amen Corner, Sophisticated Ladies, and One Monkey Don't Stop No Show. Vincent has earned a B.A. degree in Arts and Entertainment Media Management from Columbia College Chicago. Vincent has also served as a panel member for the Illinois Arts Council.

Vincent founded the Black Theater Alliance Awards, Inc., in 1995 and has produced and presented an annual awards presentation to honor and recognize excellence by African American performing and technical artists in theater, dance and all areas of the performing arts. Vincent is the recipient of WKKC's Critic's Corner Fine Arts Award for his work with the Black Theater Alliance Awards. Inc.


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Ira Aldridge (b.1807-d.1867) is considered the first African American Shakespearean actor to become an accomplished actor in a foreign country. Ira Aldridge was born a free black man to poor parents in New York City, and developed an interest in rhetoric from the African Free School. Having been denied the opportunity to perform on a mainstream professional stage in the United States. Mr. Aldridge became the first of a long line of African American artist to immigrate to Europe to find outlets for their talents. He performed more than forty roles in his lifetime, including seven of Shakespeare's heroes, proving that a black man was capable of delivering a classic performance of the utmost standard. Black Theater Alliance Awards, Inc., Founder and President, Vincent Williams states, "We are proud to name our awards after Ira Aldridge, he is a trailblazer, a man whose contributions were world renowned, and he should be remembered in the theater community."







The 16th Annual Black Theater Alliance/Ira Aldridge Awards
Honoring African Americans in the performing arts and
Richard Roundtree with The Lifetime Achievement Award

Tickets on sale now!!!

Date: Monday, October 11, 2010

Time: 7pm - 3-Course Buffet Dinner; 8pm - Awards Presentation

Place: The Illinois Institute of Technology
           Herman Hall Ballroom
           3241 South Federal Street
           Chicago, Illinois 60616

Table and Ticket Packages are priced at:

Please reserve________full table(s) of 8 for $440.00.

Please reserve_______half table of 4 for $220.00.

Please reserve_______individual tickets at $60.00 each.

Last day to purchase tables and tickets is Friday, October 8, 2010.
Tickets will not be sold at the door. No exceptions.
Upon receipt of your payment, your reservation will be held at the door.

Attire: Semi-Formal

For additional information contact Vincent Williams at 773-624-5729








2010 Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree Richard Roundtree


With consistency being the benchmark for stardom in Hollywood, Richard Roundtree has proven his star power in every sense of the word. As a leading actor and audience favorite for over the past thirty years, he has established himself as a constant presence in the entertainment industry with a fan base that spans two generations.

Discovering that he enjoyed the spotlight while on a football scholarship at Southern Illinois University, Richard signed with Johnson Publications to model in their annual Ebony Fashion Fair, touring 79 cities in 90 days. Roundtree then returned to New York, his home state, began acting lessons and later became a member of New York’s acclaimed Negro Ensemble Company. A succession of Off-Broadway roles resulted in his starring role as Jack Johnson in “The Great White Hope”.

Richard initially received international fame when Gordon Parks chose him to star as John Shaft, private detective and super-cop hero in the feature film “Shaft”. That role catapulted Roundtree into the world arena as one of the hottest new actors on the scene. He continued the franchise with “Shaft’s Big Score”, “Shaft in Africa”, and the television series. “Shaft”.

But Roundtree was just beginning to stretch his talents as a movie star. He quickly moved on to star with some of Hollywood's most legendary actors, including Clint Eastwood, Robert Shaw, Peter O' Toole, Richard Harris, David Niven, Tony Curtis, and Laurence Olivier, naming just a few.

Richard recently starred in “Speed Racer” with John Goodman and Susan Sarandon. Among his more than 70 other feature films is the smash hit “Seven”, the critically acclaimed “Once Upon A Time…When We Were Colored”, the remake of “Shaft” reprising the role that made him famous, “Steel” with basketball superstar Shaquile O’ Neal, and “George of the Jungle” for Disney Pictures.

Richard’s television credits have included series regular roles on “413 Hope Street” where he garnered an NAACP Image Award nomination for Best Leading Actor in a Series, and “Buddies” with Dave Chappel for ABC. He recently starred with Pam Grier in the Hallmark Channel’s production of “Ladies of the House”. Other movies for television include the top rated “Having Our Say” portraying Booker T. Washington, “Christmas in Connecticut” directed for Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the Starz production of “Joe and Max”. He has recurred on the ABC smash hit series “Desperate Housewives” and “Heroes”.

Richard is the recipient of a Peabody Award for his narration on the PBS documentary “The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow”.




20 questions with Richard Roundtree - Movie Star

Vincent: What set you on your path to a life in Show Business?
Richard: Well, it has to go back to-being a clothing salesman in Barney's in New York. The store had the reputation to frequent a lot of models, and actors and what have you. One of the models who frequently came to the store said “hey you want to model”. My immediate response was “how much does it pay”.
He said “$50 an hour”. This was 1967. But he didn't tell me that that didn't constitute a 40 hour week. So, I got some pictures taken, and I went to an agency-Black Beauty at the time, and signed on with them, and during my lunch hours I would go to-Go Sees-that entails going to photographers showing them your book and hopefully getting a job. Well I started getting a couple of jobs-but it wasn't paying the rent. I kept my day job. But, then I auditioned for Ebony Fashion Fair, and I got the job. Eunice Johnson hired me; back then we were doing 39 cities in 90 days. That experience going out on the runway in Gary, Indiana. I will never forget the out-of-town dress rehearsals. Going out in front of people. Well, I didn't know what I was doing I watched the girls go out half way down and make a turn-went to the end of the ramp and make a turn-did the same thing coming back-I said “I can do that”. I got to put my own spin on it. Well, I went out there and the people went crazy. To this day I can be somewhere in this country, and some woman would come up to me and say I know about Shaft-but I remember you from The Ebony Fashion Fair (We are both laughing). But by the time we got to California I knew that I wanted to become an actor. Getting out there feeling the energy on that stage is a carry over from being an athlete in High School, and my little stint in Southern Illinois University-hearing the roar of the crowd. But I was fortunate enough when we got to California that Ta La Pa Linegre' Talent Le Pa Le Negre knew Bill Cosby, and he had a little party for the models-which included myself and the other male models, and during the course of the evening he asked me what are you gonna do now I said, “I'm gonna be an actor”. He said, “do me a favor go back to New York, and learn your craft-don't be like these kids at the Greyhound bus station and train station-pulling in daily-thinking they are gonna set the world on fire and that's where it ends”. But being that brash kid that I was back then I said what are you talking about. But, I knew someone who was connected to The Negro Ensemble Company's beginners class, and my first acting teacher was Lloyd Richards, and watching the repertory company was magical-seeing their discipline, and I learned a lot just watching and reading from the classics. I stayed close to about two years-I was doing stuff in Manhattan, and way Off-Broadway stuff-I'm talking about 50 people standing room only. I was doing The Great White Hope in Philadelphia and during my break time I would go to Manhattan to try to get commercials and print-ad work, and my then agent said MGM is in town casting this movie you should go by and leave your picture and resume and I did and subsequently I got a call back and then I got another call back to meet the director-who was Gordon Parks. In our meeting, I said, ”Mr. Parks, I know your son David-we went to school together. He said, “Hmm” - with that pipe in his mouth, and then said, “we are looking for someone who looks like this”, and holds up this picture-and it was a picture of an ad I had done, and I said ”that's me”, He said, ”Hmm”, and that was the end of the interview. I got a call for a screentest. Now at the time I don't know what a screentest was-I know about auditions for a stage play-but a screentest-so I got the sides, and I see Nathan George-who was in No Place To Be Somebody-he comes out of the room before me, and I say, “oh my goodness this is gonna be a great learning experience-because no way am I gonna get this role over Nathan George. So I went in and did the screentest, afterwards I said, “that was interesting”, and a couple of days later I got this message to call Gordon Parks, and I called him up and he said, Well, Richard I think you have the role”. But don't tell anyone-not until the New Year. So a few weeks later I'm running into guys in Manhattan, who was saying “I think I got the role in Shaft”. I said to myself “wait a minute did that telephone call I had just happened”. Well, the announcement happened at Sardi's in New York. It was magical. I remember in the days-when I was driving a cab in Manhattan, and would say to myself ”one day I won't be just dropping people off at Sardi's- I will be an actor at Sardi's”. Well, they announced it and as they say the rest in history.

Vincent: What would you consider to be highpoint(s) in your life/career?
Richard: Well, obviously the opening night of Shaft on Broadway. Career wise working with Peter O' Toole on Man Friday. This story about my dad, being the religious man that he was never saw the earlier stuff that I had done. One day I sat my dad down, and said ”I want you to see something”, and it was my film, Once Upon A Time When We Were Colored. I could see how it affected him, and when the film was over he was still looking at the screen, and he said ”well done”, and that was more of his management that I needed.

Vincent: Who are your heroes?
Richard: Sidney Poitier and Gordon Parks and my Dad. To this day it infuriates me when people link Shaft into exploitation. The word exploitation does not fit with the man that I know. He would not do anything ever to have anything to do with exploitation. So, I find that comment association offensive. Sidney for being such a class, class, class act. Then I have to tip my hat to my dad. Because he instilled in me some incredible valuable things, and when I look at today's world what is sorely missing is men being men to their kids.

Vincent: What motivates you?
Richard: Work ethic which was instilled in me by my dad. Good work has its rewards.

Vincent: What up and coming artist do you admire?
Richard: Jeffrey Wright. Jeffrey Wright is a monster. I thought he was brilliant in Shaft.

Vincent: What advice would you give to the up and coming artist of today?
Richard: Get as much education as you possibly can; get as much stage work as you possibly can regardless and no matter how small or big the role is. Everytime you get on that stage it is a training session and an invaluable lesson that you learn. Looking back some of the best times I have ever had was on the stage.

Vincent: What is your greatest indulgence?
Richard: Photography.

Vincent: In comparing and contrasting television, film, and theater today? Please discuss the negative aspects or positive improvements.
Richard: Generally speaking in comparing with the 70's-the roles are far more diversified now, and thank Bill Cosby for that.

Vincent: Do you think ‘the black audiences of today’ are ready for serious theater? What is your view on that question?
Richard: The veil has been lifted. But, not totally-we as with any people are ready for any good theater; if it is a well written piece we will come out and see it.

Vincent: Richard you have done over 100 film and television appearances, and have worked in all genres of the performing arts. Which one is the most challenging and fulfilling? And why?
Richard: Theater is the most challenging and singularly the most rewarding-because every night you step on that stage you are going from A to Z. There's an old English term. Before the play starts they say-break-a-leg-which means they hope at the end of the play you get a standing ovation, and at the end you take a bow; which means bending your knee and breaking your leg. Breaking a leg well, that's the reward, and it's nightly hopefully as opposed to doing a film-you got to wait a year for it to come out, and your rating dictates your payoff. And it is hard to get pass those six episodes in television anymore; those long running shows are still far and in between.

Vincent: What do you think would be most helpful in preserving the future of ‘Black Theater’ in America?
Richard: Comes down to the written word. It don't mean a thing if the thing don't swing. It starts with the script.
Vincent: We need more writers.
Richard: It's not that we need more writers. We got writers up the ying yang. A lot of them don't have the outlet and experience to hone their craft.
Vincent: The resources you think.
Richard: Yes. The writers are out there. I read so much stuff-but they are so amateurish. It doesn't meet my standards. You only learn it by doing it, and if you don't have the opportunity to show it to people to critique it-then it is a catch-22.

Vincent: What in your view makes a good director for the stage or film? What qualities must they possess?
Richard: Tell you a little story about Gordon Parks-we were in the middle of filming, and we had an 8:00am or 8:30am call. The actor who I was going to do scenes with that particular morning didn't show-up he was very late. You could see the tension on the set. Gordon was sitting in his directors chair-smoking his pipe, and everyone was on pins and needles. The actor finally showed up at 10:30am, and started to go into this explanation, and Gordon held up his hand and looked at him and gave him a two count look, and said “let's go to work”. He could have done the typical thing-I've seen directors go off-pull them to the side-dress them down, and do that. But, Gordon just looked at him gave him a two count look and said ”let's go to work”. He was never late again in life. (We both laughed) That ability to get what you need with the least amount of effort. The way he would explain things to me I would totally get instantly, and as green as I was, and man was I green. That camera. I didn't start to become comfortable with that camera until the third Shaft.
Vincent: Oh, really.
Richard: Yeah. Working with Clint Eastwood was an experience. He is another cool gentleman. That character that he portrayed in those early westerns is how he directs.

Vincent: Richard you have worked with a lot of artist. Who would you like to work with that you have not worked with?
Richard: Halle Berry

Vincent: Do you believe in colorblind casting?
Richard: To a large degree. Yes. It depends on the piece. Some things just don't translate like that. Now in regards to movies and television; absolutely. Yes. But when you are talking about stage plays that to me is a little different.

Vincent: Do you have a favorite play or movie you can share with us?
Richard: Shawshank Redemption. Morgan Freeman is a monster. I did Seven with him, and wanted to see what this man was doing, and the mark of his excellence was showing because I watched, and I watched, and I watched, and I said “what”. Then I saw the movie, and I said “Oh, my lord”.
Vincent: I hear what you're saying.

Vincent: Do you have a pre-performance ritual? If so, what would that be?
Richard: Pass doing my homework prior. I never want to box myself in. I do prepare as much as I can about a given character-but I want to get the directors input to box him in. What I am saying is I put three walls up instead of four; waiting for that fourth; which is the director's input.

Vincent: Discuss your first experience working with The Negro Ensemble Company? Give us the history.
Richard: It was Man Better Man. It was a West Indian musical with Esther Rolle, and I had one word in the chorus, and it was “yeah”. One night I was sitting on the bench next to Esther Rolle, and my line came-up and I was zoning-she punched me in my rib, and said ”yeah”. Throughout the years she never let me forget that; everytime I would see her she would punch me in my rib and say “Yeah”. I remember getting lost in the performances of Moses Gunn, Denise Nicholas, and Hattie Winston, and the list goes on and on. Watching these people do their thing I became the audience.
Vincent: You were in awe of them.
Richard: That happened to me doing Guys and Dolls with Leslie Uggams. We were rehearsing in New York, and I'm crooning-Oh you hear me I'm singing, and Leslie is just perfect. We opened in Saint Louis and Leslie started singing, and I became the audience.

Vincent: What projects are you currently working on?
Richard: In all honesty. I am unemployed. I had a film coming out. I don't know if it's been released. The film is called The Advocate with Boris Kojoe. I am not working on anything at the moment. Fred Williamson has a film that should be happening momentarily-got a script on it, and it's waiting for a start date. I'm from Missouri, and it don't mean a thing if it don't have a start date.

Vincent: Do you think being an African American actor has advantages today? Have we overcome?
Richard: Obviously the veil has been lifted-we can pull it down to our neck now. We have our heads out of water-sort to speak-but we have a long way to go.



The Black Theater Alliance Awards, Inc.
Nominations for the 2009-2010 Performing Arts Season

The Negro Ensemble Company Award
Best Play
The Colored Museum - Congo Square Theatre Company
First Words - MPAACT
A Fool Such As I - eta Creative Arts Foundation
The Message Is In The Music - Black Ensemble Theater
Nothing But The Blues - Black Ensemble Theater

The Lorraine Hansberry Award
Best Writing of a Play
Aaron Carter - First Words - MPAACT
Tarell Alvin McCraney - The Brother/Sister Plays - Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Joe Plummer - Nothing But The Blues - Black Ensemble Theater
Jackie Taylor - The Message Is In The Music - Black Ensemble Theater
Tracey Scott Wilson - The Good Negro - The Goodman Theatre

The Target Community Relations Award
Best Ensemble
The Brother/Sister Plays - Steppenwolf Theatre Company
The Colored Museum - Congo Square Theatre Company
A Fool Such As I - eta Creative Arts Foundation
Nothing But The Blues - Black Ensemble Theater
The Lost Boys Of Sudan - Victory Gardens Theater

The Lloyd Richards Award
Best Direction of a Play
Anthony Irons - The Colored Museum - Congo Square Theatre Company
Kamesha Jackson Khan - A Fool Such As I - eta Creative Arts Foundation
Ron OJ Parson - The Old Settler - Writers Theater
Chuck Smith - First Words - MPAACT
Jackie Taylor and Darryl Brooks - Nothing But The Blues - Black Ensemble Theater

The Duke Ellington Award
Best Musical Direction
Adrian Dunn - Hopera : A Fallen Hero - Hopera World Management Team
Red Clay - Tad in 5th City - MPAACT
Robert Reddrick - Nothing But The Blues - Black Ensemble Theater
Clifton Robinson - Cultural Bridges...The Pearl Primus Project - Muntu Dance Theater
Sean Sykes - The Colored Museum - Congo Square Theatre Company

The Denzel Washington Award
Most Promising Actor
Scott Baity, Jr.
Jerod Haynes
Randle Michael
Namir Smallwood
Brandon Thompson

The Phylicia Rashad Award
Most Promising Actress
Robin Beaman
Candace C. Edwards
Ashleigh LaThrop
Sharina Martin
Kim Purdue

The Harry Belafonte Award
Best Performance In An Ensemble (Actor)
Phillip James Brannon - The Brother/Sister Plays - Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Ron Conner - The Colored Museum - Congo Square Theatre Company
Rodrick Covington - The Brother/Sister Plays - Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Glenn Davis - The Brother/Sister Plays - Steppenwolf Theatre Company
K. Todd Freeman - The Brother/Sister Plays - Steppenwolf Theatre Company

The Ethel Waters Award
Best Performance In An Ensemble (Actress)
Alana Arenas - The Brother/Sister Plays - Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Tiffany Griffin - Herbert 111 and Contribution - eta Creative Arts Foundation
Bakesta King - The Colored Museum - Congo Square Theatre Company
Erika Ratcliff - The Colored Museum - Congo Square Theatre Company
Jacqueline Williams - The Brother/Sister Plays - Steppenwolf Theatre Company

Best Lighting Design
Casey Diers - Tad in 5th City - MPAACT
Craig Ford, Jr. - Fathers and Sons - eta Creative Arts Foundation
Kathy Perkins - Sweet Tea: Black Gay Men Of The South - About Face Theatre
Edward Richardson - A Fool Such As I - eta Creative Arts Foundation

Best Sound Design
Darryl Goodman, Sr. and Artisia V. Green - The Man Who Saved New Orleans - eta
Mahmoud Khan - A Fool Such As I - eta Creative Arts Foundation
Rick Sims - The Colored Museum - Congo Square Theatre Company
Ron White - The Message Is In The Music - Black Ensemble Theater

Best Set Design
John Culbert - Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - Court Theatre
Patrice Andrew Davidson - The Man Who Saved New Orleans - eta Creative Arts Foundation
Jessica Kuehnau - Ten Square - MPAACT
Carl Ulaszek - Nothing But The Blues - The Black Ensemble Theater

Best Costume Design
Jacqueline Firkins - Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - ourt Theatre
Samantha Jones - The Colored Museum - Congo Square Theatre Company
Alison Siple - Fedra - Lookingglass
Jackie Taylor - Nothing But The Blues - Black Ensemble Theater

The Sammy Davis, Jr. Award
Best Leading Actor In a Play (Musical or Revue)
Brandon Chandler - Aida - bailiwick Chicago
Quentin Earl Darrington - Ragtime - Drury Lane Productions
Trinity Murdock - The Message Is In The Music - Black Ensemble Theater
Rick Stone - The Message Is In The Music - Black Ensemble Theater
Rashawn Thompson - My Brother's Keeper: The Story Of The Nicholas Brothers - BET

The Lena Horne Award
Best Leading Actress In a Play (Musical or Revue)
Rashada Dawan - Aida - bailiwick Chicago
Felicia Fields - Low Down Dirty Blues - Northlight
Valisia Lekae - Ragtime - Drury Lane Productions
Sandra Reaves Phillips - Low Down Dirty Blues - Northlight
Rhonda Preston - Nothing But The Blues - Black Ensemble Theater

The Bill Bojangles Robinson Award
Best Featured Actor in a Play (Musical or Revue)
Aaron Holland - Aida - bailiwick Chicago
Michael James Leslie - Once On This Island - Marriott Theatre
Jesse Means - Once On This Island - Marriott Theatre
Brandon Miller - Hopera : A Fallen Hero - Hoperaworld Management Team
Lyle Miller - Nothing But The Blues - Black Ensemble Theater

The Eartha Kitt Award
Best Featured Actress in a Play (Musical or Revue)
France Jean Baptiste - The Message Is In The Music - Black Ensemble Theater
Robin Beaman - Nothing But The Blues - Black Ensemble Theater
Melody Betts - Once On This Island - Marriott Theatre
Adrianna Parson - Aida - bailiwick Chicago
Kylah Williams - My Brother's Keeper: The Story Of The Nicholas Brothers - BET

The Sidney Poitier Award
Best Leading Actor In a Play (Drama or Comedy)
James T. Alfred - Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - Court Theatre
LaShawn Banks - The Island - Remy Bumppo Theatre Company
Kamal Angelo Bolden - The Island - Remy Bumppo Company
Allen Gilmore - Sizwe Banzi is Dead - Court Theatre
David Goodloe - A Fool Such As I - eta Creative Arts Foundation
Chike Johnson - Sizwe Banzi is Dead - Court Theatre
Billy Eugene Jones - The Good Negro - The Goodman Theatre
Andre Teamer - First Words - MPAACT

The Ruby Dee Award
Best Leading Actress In A Play (Drama or Comedy)
J. Nicole Brooks -Fedra: Queen of Haiti - Lookingglass Theatre Company
Cheryl Lynn Bruce - The Old Settler - Writers Theatre
Kona N. Burks - A Fool Such As I - eta Creative Arts Foundation
LaNisa Frederick - The Gimmick - Pegasus Players
Tina Marie Wright - First Words - MPAACT
Wandachristine - The Old Settler - Writers Theatre

The Ossie Davis Award
Best Featured Actor In A Play (Drama or Comedy)
Scott Baity, Jr. - First Words - MPAACT
Cecil Burroughs - Cooperstown - Theatre Seven Of Chicago
Tory O. Davis - The Good Negro - The Goodman Theatre
Morrocco Omari - Fedra: Queen of Haiti - Lookingglass Theatre Company
Kelvin Roston, Jr. - The Old Settler - Writers Theater
Foster Williams - The Man Who Saved New Orleans - eta Creative Arts Foundation
Alfred H. Wilson - Ma' Rainey's Black Bottom - Court Theatre

The Hattie McDaniel Award
Best Featured Actress In A Play (Drama or Comedy)
Shayla A. Jarvis - Tad in 5th City - MPAACT
Nambi E. Kelley - The Good Negro - The Goodman Theatre
Ashleigh Lathrop - Cooperstown - Theatre Seven of Chicago
Greta Oglesby - Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - Court Theatre
Makeba Pace - Crumbs From The Table Of Joy - Illinois Theatre Center
Alexis J. Rogers - The Old Settler - Writers Theatre
Corvet Williams - A Fool Such As I - eta Creative Arts Foundation

The Andre DeShields Award
Best Performance By An Actor In A Play (Non-Resident)
Rufus Bonds, Jr. - The Color Purple - Oprah Winfrey
Chester Gregory - Dreamgirls - Broadway Across America
Stu James - The Color Purple - Oprah Winfrey
Omphile Molusi - Itsoseng - Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Chaz Lamar Sheperd - Dreamgirls - Broadway Across America

Best Performance By An Actress In A Play (Non-Resident)
Moya Angela - Dreamgirls - Broadway Across America
Fantasia - The Color Purple - Oprah Winfrey
Felicia Fields - The Color Purple - Oprah Winfrey
Syesha Mercado - Dreamgirls - Broadway Across America
Angela Robinson - The Color Purple - Oprah Winfrey
Adrienne Warren - Dreamgirls - Broadway Across America

The Katherine Dunham Award
Best Choreography In A Play or Music/Dance Program (Resident)
Gary Abbott - Desire - Deeply Rooted Productions
Gary Abbott and Kevin Iega Jeff - Aida - bailiwick Chicago
Moustapha Bangoura - Guinea Suite - Muntu Dance Theatre
Rueben Echoles - My Brother's Keeper: The Story of the Nicholas Brothers - Black Ensemble

The Alvin Ailey Award
Best Choreography In A Music/Dance Program (Non-Resident)
Donald Byrd - The Color Purple - Oprah Winfrey
Judith Jamison - Among Us (Private Spaces: Public Places) - Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Robert Longbottom and Shane Sparks - Dreamgirls - Broadway Across America
Matthew Rushing - Uptown - Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

The Bert Williams Award
Best Solo Performance
E. Patrick Johnson - Sweet Tea: Black Gay Men Of The South - About Face Theatre
Dael Orlandersmith - Stoop Stories - The Goodman Theatre
Shundrice Tucker - No Child... - Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre
Erica Watson - Fat Bitch - Nazr Mohammed


Complete List of Black Theater Alliance Award Recipients
1995 to Present


The Black Theater Alliance Awards, Inc. has decided to name each winning category
after our legendary African American performers who have paved the way in theater,
film, dance, and all areas of the performing arts, and who have also helped to break
down the barriers, and opened the doors in spite of extreme adversity for up and coming
artist of today to thrive and survive.

 <![endif]>


Shepsu Aakhu's "Trouble The Water", produced by MPAACT



The cast of Congo Square Theatre Company's production of ”Joe Turners Come And Gone”.


The Negro Ensemble Company Award
In 1967, actor Robert Hooks, playwright Douglas Turner Ward, and theater manager Gerald Krone founded the Negro Ensemble Company (NEC), the catalyst for this project was the 1959 production of "A Raisin in the Sun". Prior to the 1960's there were virtually no outlets for the wealth of black theatrical talent in America. NEC was created to concentrate primarily on themes of black life. Since its founding the NEC has produced more than two hundred new plays among them; The River Niger, which won a Tony Award for Best Play of the Year in 1974 , A Soldiers Play, Zooman and the Sign, Ceremonies In Dark Old Men, Day of Absence, and The Dutchman.

YEAR

Best Play (Drama or Comedy)

1995

Stoops- eta Creative Arts Foundations

1996

Urban Transitions: Loose Blossoms! - eta Creative Arts Foundation

1997

Flyin' West - Onyx Theatre Ensemble

1998

Let Me Live - Goodman Studio/Onyx Theatre Ensemble

1999

The Dreamers - eta Creative Arts Foundation

2000

TIE - From Grassroots To Glory: The Anthology Of Gospel 2 - New Age Theater

&
The Journal of Ordinary Thought"- The Chicago Theater Company

2001

Before It Hits Home - Congo Square Theater Company

Outstanding Stage Production

2002

Ali - Congo Square Theater Company

Best Production (Drama or Comedy)

2003

Cut Flowers - The Chicago Theatre Company and The Noble Fool Theater Company

2004 SOST-MPAACT
2005 Seven Guitars ”“ Congo Square Theatre Company
2006 Stickfly ”“ Congo Square Theatre Company
2007 TIE - Joe Turner's Come And Gone - Congo Square Theatre Company
&
Trouble The Water ”“ MPAACT
2008 The Talented Tenth - Congo Square Theatre Company
2009 Pill Hill - eta Creative Arts Foundation






Cast of "Memphis Soul: The Story of Stax Records", produced by The Black Ensemble Theater.

YEAR

Best Play (Musical or Revue)

1995

Doo Wop Shoo Bop- Black Ensemble Theater

1996

Train Is Comin'- The Chicago Theater Company

1997

This Far By Faith - eta Creative Arts Foundation

1998

Chicago's Golden Soul - The Black Ensemble Theater

Best Production (Musical or Revue)

2003

Howlin' At The Moon - The Black Ensemble Theater

2004 Eyes - eta Creative Arts Foundation
2005 At Last:A Tribute To Etta James - The Black Ensemble Theater
2006 Nina Simone: The High Priestess Speaks - The Black Ensemble Theater
2007 Memphis Soul: The Story of Stax Records - Black Ensemble Theater
2008 Sounds So Good Makes You Wanna Holler - Old School vs. Nu Skool - Black Ensemble Theater
2009 Sanctified - Congo Square Theatre Company





YEAR

Best Revival of a Play

1999

Train Is Comin'- The Chicago Theatre Company

2008

Good Black - eta Creative Arts Foundation






"An Evening of Deeply Rooted Dance featuring Roberta Flack". Pictured: Elaina Anderson - Deeply Rooted Productions.

YEAR

Best Music/Dance Concert

1999

An Evening of Deeply Rooted Dance featuring Roberta Flack- Deeply Rooted Productions





(L to R) Jacqueline Williams, Anthony Fleming-Best Featured Actor(Drama or Comedy), and A.C.Smith in "Fences". Directed by Ron OJ Parson.

Best Direction(Drama or Comedy)
Foster Williams, Alfred H. Wilson, J.J. McCormick, Ray Baker, and Taj McCord in August Wilson's "Jitney". Directed by Jonathan Wilson, and produced by Pegasus Players.
The Lloyd Richards Award
Lloyd Richards (1923 - 2006), born in Toronto, Canada, directed A Raisin in the Sun (1959), and received a Tony Award for directing August Wilson's Fences. Was dean of the prestigious Yale University School of Drama from 1979 to 1991.

YEAR

Best Direction (Drama or Comedy)

1995

Runako Jahi - Stoops - eta Creative Arts Foundation

1996

Tazewell Thompson - Black Star Line - The Goodman Theatre

1997

Chuck Smith - Ma' Rainey's Black Bottom -The Goodman Theatre

1998

Jonathan Wilson - Coming Of The Hurricane - Organic Touchstone

1999

Marion McClinton - Jitney - The Goodman Theatre

2000

Charles Michael Moore - In The Wine Time - eta

2001

Anthony Amiri Edwards - Before It Hits Home - Congo Square Theater Company

2002

Cheryl Lynn Bruce - From The Mississippi Delta - Congo Square Theater Company

2003

Douglas Alan-Mann - Cut Flowers - The Chicago Theater Company and The Noble Fool Theater

2004 Derrick Sanders - The House That Jack Built - Congo Square Theatre Company
2005 Derrick Sanders - Seven Guitars - Congo Square Theatre Company
2006 Ron OJ Parson - Fences - Court Theater
2007 Derrick Sanders - Joe Turner's Come And Gone - Congo Square Theatre Company
2008 Jonathan Wilson - Jitney - Pegasus Players
2009 Aaron Todd Douglas - Pill Hill - eta Creative Arts Foundation






The featured players of "Play On!" directed by Sheldon Epps, and produced by the Goodman Theatre.

YEAR

Best Direction (Musical or Revue)

1995

Jackie Taylor - Doo Wop Shoo Bop - Black Ensemble Theater

1996

Delia Gray - Train Is Comin' - The Chicago Theater Company

1997

Jackie Taylor - The Otis Redding Story - Black Ensemble Theater

1998

Sheldon Epps - Play On!- The Goodman Theatre

2003

Jackie Taylor - Howlin' At The Moon - The Black Ensemble Theater

2004 Runako Jahi - Eyes - eta
2006 Ebony Joy and Jackie Taylor - Nina Simone: The High Priestess Speaks - Black Ensemble Theater
2007 Jackie Taylor - Memphis Soul:The Story of Stax Records - Black Ensemble Theater
2008 Kevin Iega Jeff - Nefertiti - A Concert of Music and Dance - Deeply Rooted Productions
2009 Derrick Sanders - Sanctified - Congo Square Theatre Company






The full cast ensemble of "Pill Hill", directed by Douglas Alan-Mann and produced by The Chicago Theater Company.

YEAR

Best Direction (Ensemble)

1997

Lisa Duncan- Do Lord Remember Me - The Chicago Theatre Company

1998

Ron O.J. Parson- Let Me Live - Goodman/Onyx Theatre

1999

Douglas Alan-Mann- Pill Hill - The Chicago Theatre Company

2007

Kamesha Jackson- Stoops - eta Creative Arts Foundation





The Cast of "Blaxploitation 2", produced by MPAACT.

The Target Community Relations Award

Target- Minneapolis based Target serves guests at 1,648 stores in 47 states nationwide. Since 1946, the corporation has invested five percent of its income in the community it serves. Target (NYSE:TGT) gives more than $3 million a week to its local communities through grants and special programs. Target partners with nonprofit organizations, guests and team members to help meet community needs. The Black Theater Alliance Awards, Inc. salutes Target.

YEAR

Best Ensemble Acting

1995

MiLK- MPAACT Productions

1996

East Texas Hot Links- Onyx Theatre Ensemble

1997

Transformations- Goodman Studio Theatre

1998

Let Me Live- Goodman Studio/Onyx Theatre Ensemble

1999

The Sovereign State of the Boogedy Boogedy- Victory Gardens Theatre

2000

For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/ When The Rainbow Is Enuf- The Journeymen

2002

Five Guys Named Moe- Drury Lane Evergreen Park

2003

Cut Flowers - The Chicago Theatre Company and The Noble Theater

2004 Crowns - The Goodman Theatre
2005 Seven Guitars - Congo Square Theatre Company
2006 Fences - Court Theatre
2007 Blaxploitation 2 - MPAACT
2008 Jitney - Pegasus Players
2009 Pill Hill - eta Creative Arts Foundation






The Cast of "Shoes" written by Gloria Bond Clunie, and produced by The Victory Gardens Theater. Pictured L-R Warren Jackson, Jacqueline Williams, Ora Jones, Linara Washington and Tory Davis.
The Lorraine Hansberry Award
Lorraine Hansberry (1930 - 1965), playwright and painter, whose play A Raisin in the Sun (1959) was the first drama by a black woman to be produced on Broadway.

YEAR

Best Writing (Original or Adaptation)

1995

Crystal Rhodes - Stoops - eta Creative Arts Foundation

1996

Marcia L. Leslie - The Trial of One Short Sighted Black Woman vs. Mammy Louise and Safreeta Mae - eta Creative Arts Foundation

1997

David Barr - The Death of the Black Jesus - The Chicago Theater Company

1998

Keith Glover - Coming of the Hurricane - Organic Touchstone Theatre

1998

OyamO - Let Me Live - Goodman Studio/Onyx Theatre

1999

Shepsu Aakhu - The Abesha Conspiracy - MPAACT Production

1999

Christina Harley - The Dreamers - eta Creative Arts Foundation

2000

Charles Smith - Knock Me A Kiss - Victory Gardens Theater

2002

S.M. Shephard-Massat-Waiting To Be Invited - Victory Gardens Theater

2003

Gavin Lawrence - Cut Flowers - The Chicago Theater Company and The Noble Fool Theater.

2004 Javon Johnson - The House That Jack Built - Congo Square Theatre Company
2005 Gloria Bond Clunie - Shoes - Victory Gardens Theater
2006 TIE - Lydia R. Diamond - Voyeurs DeVenus - Chicago Dramatists
&
Regina Taylor - The Dreams of Sarah Breedlove - The Goodman Theatre
2007 Shepsu Aakhu - Trouble The Water - MPAACT
2009 Lynn Nottage - Ruined - The Goodman Theatre



The August Wilson Award
August Wilson ( April 27, 1945 ”“ October 2, 2005), was an American playwright. His literary legacy is the ten play series, the century cycle, for which he received two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama. Each is set in a different decade, depicting the comic and tragic aspects of the African American experience in the twentieth century. In 1968, Mr. Wilson co-founded the Black Horizon Theater with Rob Penny. His plays includes Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Fences, Joe Turner's Come And Gone, The Piano Lesson, Two Trains Running, Seven Guitars, Jitney, King Hedley II, Gem of the Ocean, and Radio Golf.

YEAR

Best Writing of a Play (Musical/Adaptation)

1995

Joe Plummer and Jaye T. Stewart - Get Ready - eta Creative Arts Foundation

1996

Charles Smith - Black Star Line - The Goodman Theatre

1997

Jackie Taylor and Jimmy Tillman - The Otis Redding Story - Black Ensemble Theater

1998

Ossie Davis & Hy Gilbert - Bingo Long and his Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings - DreamStreet Theater

2003

Kirsten Childs - The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin - Apple Tree Theatre
2004 Marion J. Caffey - Cookin' at The Cookery: The Life and Times of Alberta Hunter - Northlight Theatre
2007 David Barr III - Memphis Soul: The Story of Stax Records - Black Ensemble Theater
2008 Jackie Taylor - I Am Who I Am - The Story of Teddy Pendergrass - Black Ensemble Theater
2009 Javon Johnson - Sanctified - Congo Square Theatre Company





Clarence Gilyard (Best Leading Actor in a Play (Drama or Comedy) as the Teacher in "My Children, My Africa", produced by Victory Gardens Theater and Gilyard Productions.


(L to R) Ronald Conner (Best Leading Actor in a Play (Drama or Comedy), Tyla Abercrumbie, and A.C. Smith. Produced by The Court Theatre.

The Sidney Poitier Award
Sidney Poitier (1927- Present), born in Miami, Florida, starred in A Raisin in the Sun in 1959 on Broadway, and was the first African American to win the Academy Award in a leading role in 1963, for his performance in the film Lillies of the Field.

YEAR

Best Leading Actor In A Play (Drama or Comedy)

1995

Darryl Alan Reed - Vivisections From The Blown Mind - Goodman Theater

1996

Charles Michael Moore - Urban Transitions: Loose Blossoms! - eta

1997

Harry J. Lennix - Ma' Rainey's Black Bottom - Goodman Theater

1998

Douglas Alan-Mann - A Red Death - The Chicago Theatre Company

1999

Byron Stewart - Conversations With A Diva - A Real Read/ Bailiwick Theatre

2000

Morrocco Omari - Knock Me A Kiss - Victory Gardens Theater

2001

Javon Johnson - Before It Hits Home - Congo Square Theater Company

2002

Michael Hargrove - Will He Bop, Will He Drop - National Pastime Theater

2003

J. David Shanks - Kiwi Black - MPAACT

2004 TIE - K. Todd Freeman - Top Dog/Under Dog - Steppenwolf Theatre
&
Anthony Irons - King of Coons - Congo Square Theatre Company
2005 Kenn E. Head - Seven Guitars - Congo Square Theatre Company
2006 TIE - Ethan Henry - Kingdom - eta Creative Arts Foundation
&
A.C. Smith - Fences - Court Theatre
2007 Clarence Gilyard - My Children, My Africa - Victory Gardens Green House Theater and Gilyard Productions, LLC.
2008 James Vincent Meredith - The Crucible - Steppenwolf
2009 Ronald Conner - The Piano Lesson - Court Theatre






Rick Stone (Best Leading Actor in a Musical) for his performance in "Memphis Soul: The Story of Stax Records", produced by The Black Ensemble Theater.



Best Leading Actor In A Play (Musical or Revue) Kevin MclLvaine as Teddy Pendergrass in "I Am Who I Am - The Story of Teddy Pendergrass". Produced by Black Ensemble Theater.
The Sammy Davis Jr. Award
Sammy Davis, Jr. (1925 - 1990), singer, dancer, and actor. Sammy starred in Golden Boy on Broadway, and was often called "the world's greatest entertainer".

YEAR

Best Leading Actor In A Play(Musical or Revue)

1995

John S. Crowley - Doo Wop Shoo Bop - The Black Ensemble Theater

1996

Kenny Davis ”“Sammy: The Sammy Davis, Jr. Story - The Black Ensemble Theater

1997

Vince Harris - The Otis Redding Story - The Black Ensemble Theater

1998

Lawrence Walden - A Tribute To Mr. B. - The Black Ensemble Theater

2000

Ty Perry - The Life - Circle Theatre

2002

McKinley Johnson - Being Beautiful - Bailiwick Repertory Theater

2003

Chester M. Gregory - The Jackie Wilson Story - The Black Ensemble Theater

2004 Tony Duwon - The House That Rocked - The Black Ensemble Theater
2007 Rick Stone - Memphis Soul:The Story of Stax Records - Black Ensemble Theater
2008 Kevin McILvaine - I Am Who I Am - The Story of Teddy Pendergrass - The Black Ensemble Theater
2009 Renardo Johnson - Eye Of The Storm - Open Door Repertory Company






Beethoven Oden(sitting in chair) and the (Best Featured Actor in a Play) in "My Children, My Africa", produced by Victory Gardens Theater and Gilyard Productions



Best Featured Actor in a Play (Drama or Comedy)
(L to R) Jon Michael Hill and Michael McKeon in "Superior Donuts". Produced by
Steppenwolf Theatre Company.
The Ossie Davis Award
Ossie Davis (1917- 2005), writer, actor, activist, and director. A Howard University alumni, wrote and starred in Purlie Victorious, that was turned into a movie, then Tony award winning Broadway musical. Married to actress Ruby Dee, both starred in Purlie Victorious and A Raisin In The Sun on Broadway. Both made their film debuts in the 1950 film No Way Out with friend Sidney Poitier.

YEAR

Best Featured Actor In A Play(Drama or Comedy)

1995

Christopher Brown - Northstar - Victory Gardens Theater

1996

Allan Louis- Black Star Line - The Goodman Theatre

1997

Tim Edward Rhoze - Ma Rainey's Black Bottom- The Goodman Theatre

1998

Dexter Zollicoffer - Blues For An Alabama Sky - The Goodman Theatre

1999

Phillip Edward Van Lear - Are You Now or Have You Ever Been? - Next Theatre Company

2000

Kenn E. Head - Voice of Good Hope - Victory Gardens Theater

2001

Willie B. Goodson - Before It Hits Home - Congo Square Theatre Company

2002

E. Milton Wheeler - Jesus Hopped The "A" Train - Seppenwolf Garage Theatre

2003

TIE - Ernest Perry Jr. - Five Rooms of Furniture - Organic Theater Company

&
Ronnel Taylor - Cut Flowers - The Chicago Theater Company and The Noble Fool Theater.
2004 Will Sims ll - The House That Jack Built - Congo Square Theatre Company
2005 Osiris Khepera - Relevant Hearsay”¦Stories from 57 - MPAACT
2006 TIE - Anthony Fleming - Fences - Court Theatre
&
Taj McCord - Two Trains Running - Pegasus Players
2007 Beethoven Oden - My Children, My Africa - Victory Gardens Green House Theater
2008 Jon Michael Hill - Superior Donuts - Steppenwolf
2009 Russell G. Jones - Ruined - The Goodman Theatre






The cast of "The Wiz" with Gerald Richardson as the Tinman (Best Featured Actor in a Musical), produced by White Horse Theater Company



Best Featured Actor In A Play (Musical or Revue) Rashawn Thompson as the younger Teddy Pendergrass in "I AM Who I Am - The Story of Teddy Pendergrass". Produced by
Black Ensemble Theater.
The Bill Bojangles Robinson Award
Bill "Bojangles" Robinson (1878 - 1949), tap dancer and actor. Bojangles was widely hailed "king of the tap dancers". Robinson's early years was spent performing in the genre called "vaudeville". Starred on Broadway in the 1930's and then films.

YEAR

Best Featured Actor In A Play(Musical or Revue)

1995

Vince Harris ”“ Doo Wop Shoo Bop- The Black Ensemble Theater

1996

Keith Steward ”“ Get Ready ”“ eta Creative Arts Foundation

1997

Kevin McILvaine ”“ This Far By Faith ”“ eta Creative Arts Foundation

1998

Andre De Shields ”“ Play On! ”“ The Goodman Theatre

2000

Percy Littleton ”“ Stones ”“ Bailiwick Repertory Theater

2003

Dwight L. Neal - Howlin' At The Moon - The Black Ensemble Theater

2004 James Earl Jones II - Eyes - eta
2007 Gerald Richardson - The Wiz - White Horse Theatre Company
2008 Rashawn Thompson - I Am Who I Am - The Story of Teddy Pendergrass - Black Ensemble Theater
2009 Ellis Foster - Sanctified - Congo Square Theatre Company






(L to R) Terrance Watts and Taylar (Best Leading Actress in a Play (Drama or Comedy) in a scene from "Blues For An Alabama Sky".



Best Leading Actress In A Play (Drama or Comedy) Karen Aldridge as Gladys in "The Cook". Produced by The Goodman Theatre
The Ruby Dee Award
Ruby Dee (1924 - Present), actress, writer, and activist. An alumni of Hunter College, broke ground in 1965 as the first black woman to play lead roles in the Shakespeare Festival. Has been nominated seven times for Emmy Awards, and was a winner for the t.v. movie Decoration Day. Highly respected and noted for her performance in Alice Childress's Wedding Band. Married to actor Ossie Davis for 55 years both considered natural treasures.

YEAR

Best Leading Actress In A Play (Drama or Comedy)

1995

Lydia Diamond - Faith And The Good Thing - Chicago Theatre Company

1996

Nambi E. Kelley - Coffee Will Make You Black - City Lit Theatre

1997

Ora Jones - Seeking The Genesis - The Goodman Studio

1998

Jacqueline Williams - Blues For An Alabama Sky - Goodman Theatre

1999

Tina Marie Wright - The Dreamers - eta Creative Arts Foundation

2000

Cheryl Lynn Bruce - Voice Of Good Hope - Victory Gardens Theater

2001

Libya Pugh - The Piano Lesson - Congo Square Theatre Company

2002

Lynn M. House - The Gift Horse - The Goodman Theatre

2003

Carolyn Nelson - Whispers Want To Holler - eta Creative Arts Foundation

2004 Karen Aldridge - Proof - The Goodman Theatre
2005 Velma Austin - Intimate Apparel - Steppenwolf Theatre Company
2006 L. Scott Caldwell - The Dreams of Sarah Breedlove - The Goodman Theatre
2007 Taylar - Blues For An Alabama Sky - eclipse theatre company
2008 TIE - Karen Aldridge - The Cook - Goodman Theatre Company
&
Lynette Mance - Bourbon At The Border - eclipse theatre company
2009 Saidah Arrika Ekulona - Ruined - The Goodman Theatre






Ernestine Jackson, Best Leading Actress in a Play (Musical or Revue) for her performance in Cookin' at The Cookery: The Life and Times of Alberta Hunter, produced by Northlight Theatre.



Best Leading Actress In A Play (Musical or Revue) E. Faye Butler as Ella Fitzgerald in "Ella". Produced by Northlight Theatre.
The Lena Horne Award
Lena Horne (1917 - 2010), actress and singer. Lena broke boundaries in film and theatre as an actress in the 1940's. Lena Horne received a special Tony Award in 1981 for distinguished achievement in theatre for her one-woman Broadway hit Lena Horne: The Lady and her Music.

YEAR

Best Leading Actress In A Play(Musical or Revue)

1995

Kelli Rich - Doo Wop Shoo Bop - The Black Ensemble Theater

1996

Roxiana Fugua - Me And Miss D. - The Black Ensemble Theater

1997

Somatta McKeever - The Divine One(A Sarah Vaughan Revue) - The Black Ensemble Theater

1998

Audrey Queen Roy - Wang Dang Doodle(The Life Story of KoKo Taylor - The Black Ensemble Theater

2000

E. Faye Butler - Dinah Was - Northlight Theatre

2002

Atia Austin - Under Your Spell: A Tribute To Phyllis Hyman - Legacy Cultural Theater

2003

Joyce Faison - Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill - The Chicago Theater Company

2004 Ernestine Jackson - Cookin' at The Cookery: The Life and Times of Alberta Hunter - Northlight Theatre
2007 Vikki Omega Stokes - Don't Shed A Tear: The Story of Billie Holiday - Black Ensemble Theater
2008 E. Faye Butler - Ella - Northlight
2009 Melanie Brezill - Once On This Island - Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago





(Lto R): Anthony Irons and Ericka Ratcliff (Best Featured Actress in a play) in a scene from "The African Company presents Richard III".



Best Featured Actress In A Play (Drama or Comedy) Cynthia Kaye McWilliams and Taj McCord in a scene from "The First Breeze of Summer". Produced by Court Theatre.
The Hattie McDaniel Award
Hattie McDaniel (1895 - 1952), the first African American to receive an Academy Award in 1939, for her performance in the classic film Gone With The Wind.

YEAR

Best Featured Actress In A Play(Drama or Comedy)

1995

Lisa Biggs - Faith And The Good Thing - The Chicago Theatre Company

1996

E. Faye Butler - Crumbs From The Table Of Joy - Steppenwolf Theatre

1997

Tie - Felicia Fields - Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - The Goodman Theatre

&
Paulette McDaniels ”“ Flyin' West - Onyx Theatre Ensemble

1998

Bridgett R. Williams - Lifting - eta Creative Arts Foundation

1999

Celeste Williams - Eastville - Writers Theater Chicago

2000

LeShay Tomlinson - Knock Me A Kiss - Victory Gardens Theater

2001

Ira Carol McGill - Before It Hits Home - Congo Square Theatre Company

2002

Taron Patton - From The Mississippi Delta - Congo Square Theatre Company

2003

Chavez Ravine - Daughters of the Mock - Congo Square Theatre Company

2004 Inda Craig-Galvan - Sundown Names And Night Gone Things - The Chicago Theatre Co.
2005 TaRon Patton - Seven Guitars - Congo Square Theatre Company
2006 TIE - Ella Joyce - Crumbs From The Table Of Joy - The Goodman Theatre
&
Nikki E. Walker - The Dreams of Sarah Breedlove - Goodman Theatre
2007 Ericka Ratcliff - The African Company Presents Richard lll - Congo Square Theatre Company
2008 Cynthia Kaye McWilliams - The First Breeze of Summer - Court Theatre
2009 Condola Phyleia Rashad - Ruined - The Goodman Theatre






Janice Lorraine, Best Featured Actress in a Play(Musical or Revue) for her performance in "Cookin at the Cookery: The Life and Times of Alberta Hunter", produced by Northlight Theatre.
The Eartha Kitt Award
Eartha Kitt (1928 - 2008), started out as a dancer with the Katherine Dunham Dance Troupe. Eartha then branched out to a luminous career in theatre, film, and t.v.

YEAR

Best Featured Actress In A Play(Musical or Revue)

1995

Cynthia Jackson - Get Ready - eta Creative Arts Foundation

1996

Greta Oglesby - Train Is Comin' - The Chicago Theatre Company

1997

Sue Conway - This Far By Faith - eta Creative Arts Foundation

1998

Tonya Pinkins - Play On! - The Goodman Theatre

2000

Carla Hargrove - Dinah Was - Northlight Theater

2003

Stephanie Booth - Howlin' At The Moon - The Black Ensemble Theater

2004 Janice Lorraine - Cookin' at The Cookery: The Life and Times of Alberta Hunter - Northlight Theatre
2007 Bethany Thomas - The Life - Bohemian Theatre Company
2008 Monique Desiree - The Wiz - Jedlicka Performing Arts Center
2009 Laura E. Walls - Sanctified - Congo Square Theatre Company






(L to R) Johathan Keaton (Best Actor In An Ensemble) and Eddie Jordan III in the Apollo Morrocco scene from "Blaxploitation 2".
The Harry Belafonte Award
Harry Belafonte (1927 - Present), born in New York City. Actor, Singer, and Political Activist. Starred on broadway, had a very successful million-selling recording career. Won an Emmy Award for his television special An Evening With Harry Belafonte.

YEAR

Best Performance In An Ensemble (Actor)

1995

Adrian Byrd - The Little Tommy Parker's Celebrated Colored Minstrel Show - The Chicago Theatre Company

1996

Tie - Earl Fox - The Trial of One Short Sighted Black Woman vs. Mammy Louise and Safreeta Mae - eta Creative Arts Foundation

&
Michael Williams - East Texas Hotlinks - Onyx Theatre

1997

Tie - Daniel J. Bryant - Do Lord Remember Me - The Chicago Theatre Company

&
Clifton Williams - The Death of The Black Jesus - The Chicago Theatre Company

1998

Craig Boyd - Let Me Live - Goodman Studio/Onyx Theatre

1999

Woody Bolar - Pill Hill - The Chicago Theatre Company

2006

Allen Gilmore - Fabulation, or the Re-Education of Undine - Next Theatre Company

2007

Jonathan Keaton - Blaxploitation 2 - MPAACT

2008

Ron Conner - The Talented Tenth - Congo Square Theatre Company

2009

Kelvin Roston, Jr. - Pill Hill - eta Creative Arts Foundation





The Ethel Waters Award
Ethel Waters (1896 - 1977), singer and actress. Started her career in the black vaudeville circuit, became known as "Sweet Mama Stringbean". A broadway recording and film star, who received 2 Academy Award nominations in 1949 for Pinky and in 1951 for A Member of the Wedding.

YEAR

Best Performance In An Ensemble (Actress)

1995

Taron C. Patton - Stoops - eta Creative Arts Foundation

1996

Linda Marie Bright - Home - The Chicago Theatre Company

1997

Greta Oglesby - Do Lord Remember Me - Congo Square Theatre Company

1998

Kimberly He'bert ”“ Shakin' The Mess Outta Misery - The Chicago Theatre Company

1999

Margo Moorer - Oo-Bla-Dee - The Goodman Theatre

2006

Jacqueline Williams - Fabulation, or The Re-Education of Undine - Next Theatre Company

2007

Tamberla Perry - Blaxploitation 2 - MPAACT

2008

Charlette Speigner - Gee's Bend - Northlight

2009

Carla Stillwell - Radical Hearsay...Stories at Sixty One - MPAACT



 

The Denzel Washington Award

Denzel Washington (December 28, 1954 ”“ Present), Mr. Washington made his professional acting debut in the 1977 made-for-television movie Wilma. His big break came in the movie Carbon Copy (1981). He co-starred in the television series St. Elsewhere from 1982 to 1988. Some of his film credits include A Soldier's Play, Cry Freedom, Glory, Malcolm X, Philadelphia, Training Day, American Gangster just to name a few. Mr. Washington has been awarded two Academy Awards for his film acting.

YEAR

Most Promising Actor

1999

Francois Battiste

2006

Corey Cantrell

2007

Keir Thirus

2008

Phillip James Brannon

2009

Michael Bartlett



The Phylicia Rashad Award

Phylicia Rashad (June 19, 1948 ”“ Present), Ms. Rashad is a Tony Award winning actress, best known for her role as Clair Huxtable in the 1980's television series The Cosby Show. Ms. Rashad's early stage credits begin with The Negro Ensemble Company. Her broadway credits include The Wiz, Dreamgirls, and A Raisin In The Sun. In 2004, Ms. Rashad became the first African American actress to win the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play, for her role in the revival of A Raisin In The Sun.

YEAR

Most Promising Actress

1999

LeShay Thomlinson

2006

Corvet Williams

2007

Genn Jackson

2008

Kristy Johnson

2009

Ashlee Olivia







Jacques C. Smith, Best Performance By An Actor In A Musical for his performance in "Purlie" Produced by The Goodman Theatre.







Yahdina U'Deen - Best Performance By An Actress In A Musical in "Nina Simone: The High Priestess Speaks." Produced by the
Black Ensemble Theater.

The Ben Vereen Award

Ben Vereen (October 10, 1946 ”“ Present), is an American actor, dancer, and singer. Mr. Vereen graduated from Manhattan's High School of the Performing Arts. He was nominated for a Tony Award for Jesus Christ Superstar in 1972, and won a Tony Award for his performance in Pippin in 1973. Notable film roles include Funny Lady and All That Jazz, but is probably best known for his role as Chicken George Moore in Roots. Did you know that Mr. Vereen was originally considered for the role of The Scarecrow in The Wiz.

YEAR

Best Performance By An Actor In A Musical

1999

Brian E. Smith - One Mo' Time - Fleetwood Jourdain Theatre

2005

Rueben Echols - At Last: A Tribute To Etta James - The Black Ensemble Theater

2006

Jacques C. Smith - Purlie - The Goodman Theatre













The Diahann Carroll Award
Diahann Carroll (1935-Present) - Diahann Carroll is by far one of our most revered celebrities. She is an artist who has excelled in every genre of the entertainment industry. She won a Tony Award in 1962 for her performance in "No Strings", an Oscar nomination for "Claudine", and an Emmy nomination for the television show "Julia". Diahann Carroll is a true trailblazer.

YEAR

Best Performance By An Actress In A Musical

1999

LaTonya Beachum ”“ Mahalia! - Black Ensemble Theater

2005

Yahdina U'Deen ”“ Somebody Say Amen: Great Women of Gospel ”“ The Black Ensemble Theater

2006

Yhadina U'Deen - Nina Simone: The High Priestess Speaks - The Black Ensemble Theatre






Pictured: Pierre Lockett, Best Performance In A Music/Dance Concert (Resident) for his performance in "Touch Me", produced by The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago.
The Sam Cooke Award
Sam Cooke (January 22, 1931 ”“ December 11, 1964), was an American gospel, R&B, soul, and pop singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He is considered to be the pioneer and founder of soul music. Mr. Cooke had 29 Top 40 hits in the U.S. between 1957 and 1965. Major hits "You Send Me", "Chain Gang", "Wonderful World", "Bring It On Home To Me", and "A Change Is Gonna Come" are some of his most popular songs. He also took an active part in the American Civil Rights Movement.

YEAR

Best Performance In A Music/Dance Concert (Resident)

1998

Amaniyea Payne - Fat Tuesday And All That Jazz - Muntu Dance Theater

1999

Pierre Lockett - Touch Me - The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago

2001

Sarita Smith Childs - Shanequa's World - Dance Chicago 2000

2002

Oscar Triple Blak Lester - Something About Africa - Najwa Dance Corp.

2003

Jimmy Payne, Jr. - Dedication To My Father - Dance Chicago 2002

2004

Oscar "Triple Blak" Lester - "What If Jesus Came Back" - Najwa Dance Corp.

2005

Armen Ra - Chains and Whips from Tell It Like it Is - Najwa Dance Corps

2007

Brotha Blanks - The Burning Bush - Najwa Dance Corps

2008

Eugene Peabody - brink of nada - Dance Chicago 2007






The Andre' DeShields Award
Andre' DeShields (January 12, 1946 ”“ Present), Mr. De Shields graduated from The University of Wisconsin-Madison with a B.A. degree and received a Masters of Arts Degree from New York University's Gallatin School of Individualized Study where he presently serves as Adjunct Professor. In 1975, De Shields was cast in the title role of The Wiz. Additional Broadway credits include Ain't Misbehavin', the Duke Ellington Revue Play On!, The Full Monty, and Pymate. DeShields won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Achievement for his performance in the 1982, NBC broadcast of Ain't Misbehavin'.

YEAR

Best Performance In A Play or Music/Dance Concert (Non-Resident)

1996

Lizan Mitchell - Having Our Say - Briar Street Theater

1997

Jasmine Guy - Chicago - Frankel Productions

1997

Darrian Ford- Smokey Joe's Cafe - Shubert Theater

1998

Vickilyn Reynolds - Bring In The Noise, Bring In The Funk - Shubert Theater

1999

Hinton Battle - Ragtime - Livent, Inc.

1999

Stephanie Mills - Ragtime - Livent, Inc.

2001

Savion Glover - Foot Notes:The Concert - Columbia Artists Theatricals/ Maniacter, Inc.

2002

Victor Trent Cook, Rodrick Dixon and Thomas Young - Three Mo' Tenors - Theatricals Concepts

2003

Savion Glover - Bring In Da' Noise, Bring In Da' Funk - Columbia Artists Theatricals

2005

DeWayne L. Woods - Sing Hallelujah! - Passion Productions

2008

Clifton Brown - Firebird - Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Corey Glover - Jesus Christ Superstar - Nicholas Howey for Troikastor, LLC

2009

Lester Lynch - Porgy and Bess - Lyric Opera of Chicago


The Bert Williams Award

Bert Williams (November 12, 1875 – March 4, 1922), was the pre-eminent black entertainer of his era and one of the most popular comedians for all audiences of his time.  He was by far the best-selling black recording artist before 1920.  Williams was a key figure in the development of African American music. In an era when racial inequality and stereotyping were an accepted part of life, he became the first African American to take a lead role on the Broadway stage.  W.C. Fields described him as ”the funniest man I ever saw, and the saddest man I ever knew.”

YEAR

Best Solo Performance in a Play

2008 Nilaja Sun No Child..... Lookingglass




The Duke Ellington Award
Edward Kennedy (Duke) Ellington (1899 - 1975), was one of America's greatest composers. An orchestra leader, pianist, and composer, he wrote more than 2,000 works, most notable ones are; Mood Indigo, Solitude, and Sophisticated Ladies.

YEAR

Best Musical Direction

1995

Jimmy Tillman - Doo Wop Shoo Bop - Black Ensemble Theater

1996

George Paco Patterson, Jimmy Tillman, and Tom Tom 99 ”“Sammy: The Sammy Davis, Jr. Story - The Black Ensemble Theater

1997

Jimmy Tillman - The Otis Redding Story - The Black Ensemble Theater

1998

Luther Henderson - Play On! - The Goodman Theatre

1999

Coleridge Taylor-Perkinson- Oo-Bla-Dee - The Goodman Theatre

2000

Garrett David Cope - Purlie - Heads Like Bricks Productions

2001

Ron Walters Jr. - Could It Be Magic... - Mercury Theater

2003

Jimmy Tillman - Howlin' At The Moon - The Black Ensemble Theater

2004 Robert Reddrick - The House That Rocked - The Black Ensemble Theatre
2005 Robert Reddrick - At Last: A Tribute To Etta James - The Black Ensemble Theater
2006 Jimmy Tillman - Nina Simone: The High Priestess Speaks - The Black Ensemble Theater
2007 Jimmy Tillman - Memphis Soul:The Story of Stax Records - Black Ensemble Theater
2008 Jimmy Tillman - Sounds So Good Makes You Wanna Holler - Old School vs. Nu Skool - Black Ensemble Theater
2009 Jaret Williams - Sanctified - Congo Square Theatre Company





The Scott Joplin Award
Scott Joplin (1867 - 1917), a composer. Born in Linden, Texas, and known as "the king of ragtime", wrote and published some 60 compositions. His composition of The Entertainer, was used as the theme in the Academy Award winning film The Sting.

YEAR

Best Original Song

1995

Success - from Steppers Ball written By Phyllis Curtwright - eta Creative Arts Foundation

1996

No Award Given.

1997

No Time To Give Up - from This Far By Faith, written by Marylene Whitehead and Rufus Hill - eta Creative Arts Foundation

1998

Will There Ever Be A Bronzeville For Me from Don't Get Around Much Anymore, written by Vince Willis and Okoro Harold Johnson - eta Creative Arts Foundation

1999

Thank You For Today from Sing Sister Sing, written by Walter Thomas - eta Creative Arts Foundation

2003

The Battlefield of Love from Kiwi Black, written by Poh'ro - MPAACT



































































Derick K. Grant in ”Imagine Tap”. Produced by Great Lake Productions and Cari Shein
The Katherine Dunham
and
Alvin Ailey Award
Katherine Dunham (1909 - 2006), dancer and choreographer. Born in Chicago, Illinois called the matriarch of black dance and introduced groundbreaking forms of movement. Appeared in and choreographed the stage and film versions of Cabin In The Sky.
Alvin Ailey (1931 - 1989), dancer and choreographer. Born in Rogers, Texas, a highly respected choreographer, studied under Katherine Dunham and Lester Horton. Formed the Alvin Ailey Dance Company in 1959. Choreographed more than 50 ballets, most notable are Revelations and Cry.

YEAR

Best Choreography In A Play or Music/Dance Concert

1995

Kenny Ingram - Dreamgirls - Marriott's Lincolnshire Theatre

1996

Kevin Iega Jeff - Church Of Nations - Deeply Rooted Productions

1997

Eva D. and Jackie Taylor - The Otis Redding Story - Black Ensemble Theatre

1997

Joel Hall and Nancy Teinowitz - Nuts and Bolts - Joel Hall Dancers

1998

Mercedes Ellington - Play On! - The Goodman Theatre

1998

Arthur Hall and Amaniyea Payne - Fat Tuesday And All That Jazz - Muntu Dance Theater

1999

Talley Beatty (Posthumously) - Month Of Sundays - Dance Chicago '98

1999

Randy Duncan - Can't Take This Away - Dance Chicago '98

1999

Geoffrey Holder - The Prodigal Prince - Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre

2000

Joel Hall - Y2 Day - Dance Chicago '99

2000

Randy Duncan - Once On This Island - Apple Tree Theater

2000

Ron K. Brown - Grace - Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

2001

Van Collins - 3/5 - Dance Chicago 2000

2001

Rennie Harris - Rome and Jewels - MCA Performances

2002

Christopher Huggins - Enemy Behind The Gates ”“ Philadanco!

2002

Gary Abbott and Kevin Iega Jeff - Move! - Deeply Rooted Productions

2003

Lisa Johnson - Willingham - New Beginnings, Overcoming Old Lessons - Dance Chicago 2002

2003

Garth Fagan - The Lion King - Disney

2004 Ray Mercer - That Anticipatory Feeling - Dance Chicago 2003
2004 Alvin Ailey(posthumously)- Night Creature - Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
2005 Mike Malone - Black Nativity - Congo Square Theatre Company
2005 Robert Battle, Rennie Harris and Judith Jamison - Love Stories - Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
2006 Christopher M. McCray - Ghost Play - Chicago Dance Crash
2006 Derick K. Grant - Imagine Tap - Great Lake Productions, Inc., Imagine Tap Company LLC and Cari Shein
2006 Kenneth Lee Roberson - Purlie - Goodman Theatre
2007 Lisa Johnson Willingham - Trouble The Water - MPAACT
2007 Idy Ciss - Dekkal Thiossane (Rebirth of Culture) - Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago
2007 George Faison - If This Hat Could Talk - Van Jo Productions and West Vision Entertainment
2008 Christopher Huggins - Pyrokenesis - - Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago
2008 Diedre Dawkins & Kwame Opare - Suite Nina - Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago
2008 Rueben Echoles- Sounds So Good Makes You Wanna Holler - Old School vs. Nu Skool - Black Ensemble Theater
2009 Randy Duncan- Ruined - The Goodman Theatre
2009 Andrea Kelly- A Tribute To The Memory and Music of Michael Jackson - Jira and Raw TV
2009 Rennie Harris- Philadelphia Experiment - Jazz Dance World Congress





YEAR

Best Lighting Design

1995

Darryl Goodman, Sr. - Stoops - eta Creative Arts Foundation

1996

Darryl Goodman, Sr. - The Temple - eta Creative Arts Foundation

1997

Kathy A. Perkins- Seeking The Genesis - The Goodman Studio

1998

Kathy A. Perkins - Let Me Live - Goodman/Onyx

1999

Denise Karczewski - Indigo Blues - The Black Ensemble Theater

2002

Kathy A. Perkins - From The Mississippi Delta - Congo Square Theatre Company

2003

Edith Jones - Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill - The Chicago Theater Company

2004 Darryl Goodman, Sr. - Eyes - eta
2005 Kathy Perkins - Black Nativity - Congo Square Theatre Company
2006 Benny Gomes - Deep Azure - Congo Square Theatre Company
2007 Arthur Reese - Bedtime Story - eta Creative Arts Foundation
2008 Shepsu Aakhu - Beneath A Dark Sky - MPAACT
2009 Dustin L. Derry - Bride From The South - Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago



YEAR

Outstanding Technical Design

2001

Gwen Godwin - Stereotyped - Dance Chicago 2000



YEAR

Best Costume Design

1995

Michael Alan Stein - Stoops - eta Creative Arts Foundation

1996

Vaune Blalock and Harry Detry - Woloba - Muntu Dance Theatre

1997

Vaune Blalock - Rites and Rituals - Muntu Dance Theatre

1998

Vaune Blalock and Amaniyea Payne - Fat Tuesday And All That Jazz - Muntu Dance Theatre

1999

Ouinton de Alexander - Song Diva - Q and E Productions

2000

Birgit Rattenborg Wise- Knock Me A Kiss - Victory Gardens Theater

2001

Karen L. Wells - Every Time I Feel The Spirit - Pegasus Players

2003

Virgil C. Sanner - The Jackie Wilson Story - The Black Ensemble Theater

2004 Karen L. Wells - Sundown Names And Night Gone Things - The Chicago Theater Company
2005 Christine Pascual - Seven Guitars - Congo Square Theatre Company
2006 Paul Tazewell - Purlie - The Goodman Theatre
2007 Christine Pascual - Joe Turner's Come And Gone - Congo Square Theatre Company
2008 Michael Alan Stein - Nefertiti - A Concert of Music and Dance - Deeply Rooted Productions
2009 Ari Fulton - Pill Hill - eta Creative Arts Foundation





YEAR

Best Set Design

1995

Dorian Sylvain - Stoops - eta Creative Arts Foundation

1996

Robert C. Martin - Unjustifiable Acts - The Goodman Studio

1997

Lori Fong ”“ Flyin' West - Onyx Theatre Ensemble

1998

Lori Fong - Let Me Live - Goodman/Onyx

1999

Robert C. Martin - The Dreamers - eta Creative Arts Foundation

2000

Heather Graff - Doo Lister's Blues - New Onyx Theatre Company

2002

Logan Shunmugam - Playboy Of The West Indies - Congo Square Theatre Company

2003

Reginald B. Wilson - Whispers Want To Holler - eta Creative Arts Foundation

2004 Patrick Kerwin - The House That Jack Built - Congo Square Theatre Company
2005 Jack Magaw - Seven Guitars - Congo Square Theatre Company
2006 Dustin Efrid - Stickfly - Congo Square Theatre Company
2007 Reginald B. Wilson - Bedtime Story - eta Creative Arts Foundation
2008 Nick Mozak - Elmina's Kitchen - Congo Square Theatre Company
2009 Patrice Davidson - Leevee James - eta Creative Arts Foundation





YEAR

Best Sound Design

1996

Ron White- Sammy: The Sammy Davis, Jr. Story - The Black Ensemble Theater

1997

Corbiere Boynes - Do Lord Remember Me - The Chicago Theatre Company

1998

Larry Nance - Shakin' The Mess Outta Misery - The Chicago Theatre Company

1999

Mark Anthony Thompson - A Huey P. Newton Story - MCA Performances

2003

Ministers of the New Super Heavy Funk - Kiwi Black - MPAACT

2004 Joseph Plummer - The State of Mississippi, And The Face of Emmett Till - Pegasus Players
2005 Joseph Plummer - Black Nativity - Congo Square Theater Company
2006 Chaos and Disorder - Blaxploitation: The Remix - MPAACT
2007 Chaos and Disorder - Blaxploitation 2 - MPAACT
2008 Ron White - Sounds So Good Makes You Wanna Holler - Old School vs. Nu Skool - Black Ensemble Theater
2009 Michael Herring - Drip - eta Creative Arts Foundation











Chuck Smith and André De Shields

Annually the Black Theater Alliance Awards, Inc. presents a Lifetime Achievement Award to a special honoree who has achieved success or made significant contributions to theater, dance, film, and other mediums in the world of the performing arts.

YEAR

Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees

1995

Abena Joan Brown, Co-Founder and President of eta Creative Arts Foundation

1996

Jackie Taylor, Founder and Artistic Director of the Black Ensemble Theater

1997

Chuck Smith, Artistic Associate, The Goodman Theatre

1998

Val Gray Ward, Founder and Artistic Director of Kuumba Theatre

1999

Joel Hall, Founder and Artistic Director of The Joel Hall Dancers

2002

Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs, Actor, Writer, and Producer

2003

Dr. Margaret Burroughs, Founder of The DuSable Museum of African American History

2003

Julian Swain, Legendary Actor, Dancer and Choreographer

2004

Runako Jahi - Artistic Director of eta Creative Foundation.

2005

André De Shields - Actor, Singer and Dancer

2006

Ben Vereen - Actor, Singer and Dancer

2007

Robert Hooks - Actor, Producer, and Political Activist

2008

Arthur Mitchell - Founder and Artistic Director of Dance Theater of Harlem

2009

Melba Moore - Actress and Recording Artist






Vincent Williams and Earl Calloway
At the Seventh Annual Black Theater Alliance/Ira Aldridge Awards, BTAA presented plaques to 10 Chicago personalities who have helped to promote African-Americans in the performing arts. BTAA inducted them as Millennium Honorees in a presentation held on Monday, September 17, 2001 at the DuSable Museum of African American History.

2001 BTAA Millennium Honorees

Jerry Butler, R & B Legend and Commissioner of Cook County

Earl Calloway, Fine Arts Editor, The Chicago Daily Defender

Bill Campbell, Host of Chicagoing - Channel 7/WLS-TV

Gloria Bond Clunie, Playwright in Residence, Victory Gardens Theater

Darryl Dennard, Host of Minority Business Report and Chairperson of WKKC Radio

Bonnie DeShong, Radio Personality, WVAZ/V-103

Irma P. Hall, Theater and Film Actress, star of "Soul Food"

Najwa I, Founder, Choreographer and Artistic Director of Najwa Dance Corps

Vanessa Truvillion, Dancer and Business Manager, The Joel Hall Dancers

Walter Whitman, Founder and Director of The Soul Children of Chicago




The 15th Annual
Black Theater Alliance
Ira Aldridge Awards
Monday, October 5, 2009
Crowne Plaza Hotel




Board members: Deonne Wright, Michael Owens, and Valorie Harris



The Depaul University Theater School Table - Dean John Culbert



James Earl Jones II singing "Lift Every Voice and Sing"



Vincent Williams - President of The Black Theater Aliiance Awards, Inc.



LaDonna Tittle



Jaret Williams winning Best Musical Direction



Ann Douglas accepting for her husband Aaron Todd Douglas.



Michael Bartlett winning Most Promising Actor.



Ashlee Olivia winning Most Promising Actress.



Randy Duncan winning Best Choreography In A Play.



Kelvin Roston Jr. winning Best Performance In An Ensemble.



Jackie Taylor



Melba Moore accepting Lifetime Achievement Award.



Melba Moore walking through the crowd.



Laura Walls winning Best Featured Actress In A Musical.



Ellis Foster winning Best Featured Actor In A Musical.



Melanie Brezill winning Best Leadin Actress In a Musical.



Ronald Conner winning Best Leading Actor In A Play.



Derrick Sanders and the cast of "Sanctified". "Sandtified" won Best Musical Of The Year.



Jackie Taylor and Vincent Williams



Vincent Williams, Runako Jahi, and Greta Oglesby(Host)

Attendees arriving for BTA Awards.



Runako Jahi and George C. Stalling




Trophy Models - Mateo Smith and Jamila Turner - Depaul University Theater School Graduates.



Greta Oglesby - Host of The 15th Annual Black Theater Alliance / Ira Aldridge Awards.



Ari Fulton - winning Best Costume Design.



Dexter Zollicofer serves as presenter.



Norissa Pearson serves as a presenter.



An elated Ashlee Olivia



Caren Blackmore



Andrea Kelly winning Best Choreography In A Music / Dance Program.



Tamberla Perry accepts for Carla Stillwell.



Jackie Taylor and Melba Moore



Melba Moore singing "I Believe".



Melba Moore and Vincent Williams



The crowd stands-up for Ellis Foster.



Derrick Sanders winning Best Director of a Musical.



Renaedo Johnson winning Best Leading Actor in a Musical.



Commissioner Jerry Butler Presenting Best Musical and Best Play awards



Runako Jahi and the cast of "Pill Hill". Pill Hill won Best Play of the Year.



Ronald Conner, Vincent Williams and Melanie Brezill.



The 14th Annual
Black Theater Alliance
Ira Aldridge Awards
Monday, September 29, 2008
The Fairmont Chicago

Pictures by Billy Smith
n-focus@comcast.net


Vincent Williams, President The Black Theater Alliance Awards



Deonne Wright, Secretary



Earl Calloway, Member



Table 7 - Enjoying Reception



Frances Wilkerson - Nominee



Joel Hall, Artistic Director of The Joel Hall Dancers and Center give Keynote Address



A very supportive BTAA crowd.



Keir Thirus, nominee serves as a presenter.



Michael Alan Stein accepting award for Best Costume Design.



Jackie Taylor's Victory Walk.



Rashawn Thompson accepts award.



Jon Michael Hill accepting award.



Karen Aldridge accepting award.



A big cheer for Rueben Echoles.



K. Todd Freeman serves as a presenter



Osiris Khepera serves as a presenter



Paunika Jones dancing "Firebird" in honor of Arthur Mitchell.



The BTAA Brothers with Arthur Mitchell (L to R): Homer Bryant, Arthur Mitchell, Vincent Williams, Joel Hall, Darryl Dennard, Runako Jahi, Kevin McILvaine, Earl Calloway, and unidentified.



"Sounds So Good-Makes You Wanna Holler" cast. Best Play (Musical or Revue) The Black Ensemble Theater.



Victoria Brady closes the BTA Awards with the song "Rise Up Sheperd And Follow."

2008 Table of Awards



Valorie Harris, Treasurer and Robert Barnett, Member



Toney Hall, Member, and Vincent Williams



Ifa Bayeza reads Program Book



Joslyn Jones, Nominee and Guest



Darryl Dennard, BTA Awards Host



Jon Michael Hill and K. Todd Freeman-Steppenwolf Brothers



Kristy Johnson accepting award for Most Promising Actress



Jackie Taylor accepting award for Best Writing of a Musical Play



Gary Abbott of Deeply Rooted Productions accepts Best Direction of a Musical Award for Kevin Iega Jeff.



Kashuna performs her comedy for the audience.



Ron Conner accepting award.



E. Faye Butler accepting award.



Rueben Echoles accepting award.



Kevin McILvaine accepting award.



Arthur Mitchell accepting The Lifetime Achievement Award.



Attendees view a career highlights montage about Arthur Mitchell's career.



(L to R): Homer Bryant, Arthur Mitchell, and Pierre Lockett.



Arthur Mitchell and Abena Joan Brown of eta Creative Arts Foundation, Inc.



Daniel Bryant, Taron Patton, Ron Conner, and Ray Baker Best Play (Drama or Comedy) "The Talented Tenth" Congo Square Theater Company.



James Vincent Meredith (James came to awards when ended after his rehearsal) and Vincent Williams.



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