Actor recalls journey to manhood in 4 Runt'
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
Award-winning actor/playwright Michael
Phillip Edwards is bringing his hit play
"Runt" to the National Black Theatre Festival.
"Runt," an introspective look at a black
man's fears, introduces the world to a new
kind of hero: a man who isn't afraid to face
himself, or more importantly to face the legit
imate fears that drive him. "Runt" is raw the
ater: candid, funny and angry. It will tug at
your heartstrings, confront you with its hon
esty and make you laugh at life.
4
&
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Edwards was
recently honored with the 2003 Sony Acade
my of Gold Medal Award for Best Drama
(BBG production of "Runt"). Edwards also
received the Edinburgh Fringe Festival's
highest honor, the 2001 Scotsman Fringe First
Award. He is the first black solo writer/per
former in the festival's 53-year history ever to
achieve this honor.
His past theater credits include Kosmond
Russell's "The Visit," for which he received
both the NAACP nomination and Dramalog
I
Award for Best Actor; the American Place
Theatre's one-man production of Richard
Wright's "Black Boy"; Athol Fugard's "My
Children! My Africa!" (Sterling Best Actor
nomination); and Amiri Baraka's "Dutch
man."
Edwards is preparing to direct and star in
the independent feature film version of his
screenplay "Runt," to begin principal photog
raphy late this fall.
i
Mayor chairs festival fund-raising
BY COURTNEY GAILLARD
THE CHRONICLE
Everyone was excited when it was
announced in late December that Mayor Allen
Joines would lead fund-raising efforts for the
2003 National Black Theatre Festival. Larry
T Leon Hamlin, NBTF producer and artistic direc
tor, made the announcement at City Hall South
with Joines by his side.
"We've talked about polishing the silver here
in Winston-Salem. We've got a lot of good silver
here, and we've got to make sure it's viable,
healthy and working. The festival community is
one of those key pieces of our infrastructure,
which makes Winston-Salem so special," Joines
said.
Hamlin said that he was "elated" about the
prospect of teaming up
with the mayor for the
festival, calling their
partnership "monu
mental."
"I was sometimes
surprised to see
(Mayor Joines) at
some of the activities
and events where I
was present, and I'm
sure he was surprised
? to see me at ones that
he attended, hut we
spoke during those
times and we're very
happy." Hamlin said.
Alderman Vemon
Robinson approached
the mayor about
becoming the chair
man of the fund-rais
ing committee after the
last festival in 2()0I.
<
"(Mayor Joines') involvement will generate
more private business support and citizen partic
ipation in reaching the $1.5 million goal," said
Robinson, who served as a fund-raising consult
ant for the previous NBTF.
Joines said that he hopes to personally attract
more corporate financial support from the area in
helping NBTF reach its goal for next year's fes
tival. The 2(X)1 festival fell several hundred thou
sand dollars short of its goal. That money was
eventually raised, but not until the festival ended.
"It's events like the NBTF that helps put
Winston-Salem on the map....The NBTF is prob
ably one of the cornerstones for our downtown
community," said Joines, who thinks that,
despite the volatile economy, the NBTF's reputa
tion will generate the necessary funds to make
the event successful.
File Photo
Genesco CEO Hal Pennington (left) presents a check for the NBTF
to Mayor Allen Joines and Larry Leon Hamlin in March. Genesco
is one the contributors to this year's festival.
Hie Photo
Actors Ajay Smith and and RaeVen Larrymore Kelly take part in a Youth/Celebri
ty Project program during the 1999 NBTF.
All for the kids
Youth/Celebrity Project jam-packed this year
CHRONICLE STAFF REPORT
Thousands of young people are
expected to take part in this year's
National Black Theatre Festival
Youth/Celebrity Project. This aspect of
the festival has become one of the most
popular events by giving children the
opportunity to experience the arts
through special workshops, events, and
by getting up close and personal with
professional actors, writers and directors.
Among the highlights of this year's
Youth/Celebrity Project is a children's
talent show that will take place on Aug. 6
and Aug. 8 at 9 a.m. in the Adam's Mark,
Mark Ballroom 2. The talent show will
feature young people from the Artistic
Studio for the Performing Arts. There |
also will be a performance of the experi- j
mental youth production "Home and <
Hood" (See page 41 for more on this
play.)
Here is schedule of other
Youth/Celebrity Project events:
? Kickoff activity on Aug. I at Union
Baptist Church featuring Trin-i-tee 5:7.
? Gala welcoming rally on Aug. 4 at
the Benton Convention Center.
? Sessions with the Stars on Aug. 5 at
the Adam's Mark Hotel. >
? Youth entrepreneurial exhibits on
Aug. 5 at the Adam's Mark Hotel.
? Man Talk Session on Aug. 6 at the
Winston-Salem Urban League.
? Storytelling festival on Aug. 8 at the
Adam's Mark Hotel.
? Youth open-air vendors market on
Aug. 9 along Trade Street.
Registration for young people is
requited for the events. To register
zroups of children or individuals, call
Cynthia Mack or Cleopatra Solomon at
725-5614.