In looking back over the past years since the creation of the African American Theater Arts Troupe:
As been stated before Ceremonies of Dark Old Men ran for four nights at Stevenson College and the attendance at this venue was a little over a thousand theatergoers. To establish this scholarship fund donations were accepted at the door. This production established the African American Theater Arts Troupe because of the great need of a retention of African American students who were leaving the campus because of isolation and the creative gifts that were not exposed. Many of its members were senior students who had it in their hearts to establish a vehicle that would allow incoming students a chance to express and inspire one another through means of art.
Moving into Amen Corner with the help of the Theater Arts Department, Stevenson College, and the city of Santa Cruz, we were able to launch our second production Amen Corner. There was a charge at the door of $3.00 per student and $5.00 per adult. The actors were able to obtain five-unit credits through the drama department and access to props and stock scenery. Amen Corner was our first production to be taken to the Louden Nelson Community Center where we performed twice at that venue. We had well over 600 people in attendance and we performed it four times at Stevenson College with over 1500 people attending. For the first time we recognized hundreds of people who have never engaged in seeing a theatrical production especially a production of color.
Our third production, Streamers, marked a major turning point of exposing multiple cultures and talents. This was obtained by recruiting several senior students from the UCSC Drama Department as well as incorporating from the Stevenson Theater Guild and members of the African American Theater Arts Troupe. Under the direction of Don Williams we were able to establish a greater command of the art of acting. Also for the very first time we were able to bring in a professional troupe from Texas that presented a play called Camp Logan, which ran for two nights at Stevenson College. There was an acting workshop set up by the African American Theater Arts Troupe utilizing this professional cast from Texas which proved to be beneficial and inspirational for the student cast of Streamers. Streamers ran for four nights at Stevenson College, standing room only. Close to two thousand people attended the shows.
Joe Turner marked our fourth production, which brought a historical view of African Americans in the early nineteenth century. This production brought a professional quality of acting and technical operations that was appraised highly by all. We performed Joe Turner in three major venues, Cabrillo College, Louden Nelson, and Stevenson College. We had over two thousand theatergoers throughout the performance run. We were able to double our fundraising to maintain the existence of the scholarship fund and received numerous favorable revues from multiple newspaper critics.
Once in a Wifetime was our fifth production filled with a ray of comedy and dance completed the cycle of dramatic styles. Through networking with the Theater Arts Department we were able to bring in the playwright who did several panel discussions and workshops on acting and play wrighting. Once in a Wifetime marks our first major outreach to the city of Seaside where we performed this production in a crowd of three hundred theatergoers. In total of our nine performance runs from the Concert Hall to Louden Nelson to Seaside we entertained well over two thousand theatergoers. According to our financial administrator we have raised over $7,000 to maintain the African American Scholarship Fund. The Vice Chancellor's Office as well as the Theater Arts Department to move in the direction of establishing this Troupe as an institutional group recognized by the Theater Arts Department also embraces this production.
In 1995-96 season the troupe performed a gospel musical, Tambourines To Glory. This 35-member cast provided a heartfelt dramatic presentation. Attendance was well over 1600 attendance. It was the first African American Theater Troupe performance to open on UCSC main Stage Theater. The show was performed in Seaside at the Oldmeyer Community center raising approximate $7000.00 toward the student scholarship fund. Five students were presented $1000.00 scholarship amounts each.
The troupe's next endeavor in 96-97 was a dramatic piece entitled A Soldier's Play by Charles Fuller. This marked the troupe's first all male production. The show received outstanding reviews. Performances were held at UCSC Second Stage and the Louden Nelson Community Center. Attendance was 1400. $6000.00 was raised toward the student scholarship fund. Don Williams not only directed the piece but also performed a leading role in this piece.
1997-98 season, the AATAT performed Fences by August Wilson. Collaborative efforts and partnership were combined between the AATAT and MPC. MPC's Dan Beck did a superb design of the set. AATAT was a part of MPC full season performing a three-week run of this show. Performances were held at UCSC Stevenson College. This realistic drama stimulated and touched many hearts. The show received great reviews and several front-page coverings at local newsstands. The leading male actor, Aaron Woods received the best actor of the year award.
AATAT performed 1998-99 season, God's Trombones by James Weldon Johnson, and a historical piece with a cast of 20 members. The troupe was honored to have a legendary blues and gospel singer in the show, Sista Monica Parker. The show opened at UCSC as well as touring in Monterey and Merced. The show raised approximates $8000 and was attended by many.
The AATAT presented in 2000, A Long Time Since Yesterday by P.J. Gibson. This marked the troupe's first all female cast. The play dealt with several current issues regarding race, gender, and political and sexual preferences. This dramatic presentation captured the very intellect of it various reviewers and audience alike. Performances was held at UCSC as well as touring at MPC and Merced Community Colleges raising approximate $600.00 in scholarship funding. The stage manager and student designer was recipient of this year's production.
In the winter of 2000, the African American Theater Arts Troupe presented Blues for an Alabama Sky, by Pearl Cleage. This production proved to be very successful both in terms of performance, as well as outreach. This production consisted of 17 students and 1 community member. Blues For An Alabama Sky, opened at Theater Arts Second Stage on February 15, 2001. Approximately 800 students and community members during its tour-performance run attended it.
The following three weekends AATAT presented a fourteen -night performance run at the Monterey Peninsula Community College Main Stage. The cast and crew stayed for three nights at the Holiday Express in Monterey California. Each night we had well over 200 attendees. I am honored to state that Vice Chancellor Anderson of MPC was helpful in creating wonderful reception venues, giving us the opportunity to meet and socialize with interested community members before and after our performances. This gave us the opportunity to speak with parents and potential students about UCSC.
In closing, the level of work the students are generating has become increasingly more professional and more accepted by the Theater Arts community at large. The director of MPC Theater Arts Department, Peter Debono wants to maintain collaborative effort between UCSC African American Theater Arts Troupe and MPC Theater department (to do another African American production for the 2003 season).