"We are proud to announce our new working relationship with the "New African Grove" Black Theatre Program at Cal State University - Dominguez Hills!

In partnering with Donis Leonard, Assistant Professor of Theatre we are planning an exciting program of workshops, sponsorships and outreach through the "New African Grove" Black Theatre Program.

Please bookmark this page and check back often for future updates."

Bennet Guillory, Artistic Director and Chair of the Board of Directors, The Robey Theatre Company

Welcome to the "New African Grove" Black Theatre Program

It is a challenging and dynamic program of academic courses, on-campus shows and lectures, community and high school tours, and workshops illuminating the black experience for people of all ages and ethnic groups. To become part of this unique program, you only need to participate as a student, theatre artist, or audience member. Herbert L. Carter talent scholarships are available each academic year as an incentive for new recruits; and for existing members whom exhibit outstanding achievement in the program.

The "New African Grove" Black Theatre Program here at Dominguez Hills is dedicated to the freed black men and women of 1821 New York whom founded the original African Grove company. An incredible and unheard of fact is that these men and women did not just perform black plays, but gained fame by performing SHAKESPEARE to sold out houses. The company had an outstanding run of five years until it was mysteriously burned to the ground in 1826. The best known performer to emerge from the company was Ira Aldridge.

The seeds of the Black Theatre Program began with the work of Randolph Edmonds, the "Dean of Black Educational Theatre." Beginning in the 1930's his pioneering efforts gave rise to an interest in the study of the aesthetics and practices of the black theatre.

The Black Theatre Program offers students both academic classroom and production experiences. Through class work and on/off-stage participation in plays, students receive a well-rounded experience in black life, culture, and art in a very nurturing environment.

Introduction to African-American theatre will be the first course offered by the department for spring 2000. This course will be cross-listed with Africana studies and will soon be counted as part of students' General Education Program.

For more information please contact the Artistic Director at (310) 243-2847.

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Donis Leonard
M. F. A. Acting, Wayne State University, Detroit
B.A. Theatre Arts, Prairie View A & M University
AEA (Actors' Equity Association)

Donis Leonard, Assistant Professor of theatre, is the director
of the Speech and Forensics program at CSU Dominguez Hills.
He is also the founder/director of the "New African Grove"
Black theatre Program for the University where his directing
credits include: August Wilson's-"The Piano Lesson",
"The Shadow Box", "Miss Evers' Boys", and Pearl Cleage's
"Flyin West" which was recognized as "Best Drama of the
South Bay in 2000" by the Daily Breeze.

Professor Leonard is especially honored to begin a new  partnership
between Cal State Dominguez Hills and the NAACP award winning
Robey Theatre Company, co-founded by Bennet Guillory and Danny Glover.

Contact
E-mail address: dleonard@csudh.edu  

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MISS EVERS’ BOYS By David Feldshuh

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This powerful drama is based on a true government study carried out from 1932 to 1972 that measured untreated syphilis in southern black male tenant farmers all the way to the autopsy stage. Under the umbrella of theatre arts, this Black Theatre Program production was produced in collaboration with “Voices, Visions and Rhythms: A Centennial Celebration of African American Art and Culture” sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences at Dominguez Hills.

Directed by Donis Leonard