King, Higginsen, Walker and Smith
Sidney Poitier Lifelona
Achievement Awara
Woodie King Jr. - Producer,
director and founding director of
the New Federal Theater in New
York.
Larry Leon Hamlin Producer
Award
Vy Higginsen - Trailblazer for
black female stage producers
and those in the ^broadcasting
industry.
August Wilson Playwright
Award
Celeste Bedford Walker -
Playwright of shows like
"Reunion in Bartersville" and
"Once in a Wifetime."
Lloyd Richards
Director Award
Ed Smith - Artistic Director of
the Fort Worth, Texas-based
Jubilee Theatre.
H
E
G
L
Andr t Or Shields
LivinqLegend Award
Andr6 De Shields - actor,
singer, dancer in productions
like "The Full Monty" and "The
Wiz."
Fatima Dike - Award win
ning South African playwright
whose works include "The
Return."
Paul Carter Harrison -
Playwright and educator who
wrote the Obie-winning "The
Great MacDaddy."
Joan Lewis - Noted the
ater educator.
Robert Macbeth - Veteran
stage and screen performer.
Barbara Montgomery -
Actress best known for her
role as Casseita Hetebrink on
"Amen."
Juanita Moore - Screen
legend who received an Oscar
nomination for "Imitation of
Life."
Melba Moore - Popular
singer and Tony-winning
actress.
Clarence (C.Lee) Turner -
Acclaimed director and edu
cator who, elevated Prairie
View A&M University's the
ater program to new neights.
Mrlbn Moore
The 2009 National \
/ Black Theatre Festival X
/ officially starts at 5:30 p.m. on\
/ Monday, Aug. 3 with the Opening \
' Night Gala at the Benton Convention *
Center. The occasion includes a
star-studded awards banquet; a
performance of "Don't Bother Me, I
Can't Cope;" and a late-night Celebrity
V Reception at the Marriott Hotel, j
Tickets are $2 5 1 per person. /
Tables of 10 are $2,5 10. /
Juanita Moore
l.aChanz t
Regg it Ray
Julie Dash
Outstanding Achievement In Film
Julie Dash - Trailblazer for black
female film directors with her debut
movie, "Daughters of the Dust."
Outstanding Achievement In
Costume Design
Reggie Ray - Noted designer and styl
ist who has worked with theater compa
nies around the nation.
Outstanding Achievement In
Lighting Design
Shirley Prenderqast - In the history
books as the first black woman to design
lighting for a major Broadway production
- 1 973' s "The River Niger."
Outstanding Achievement In
Scenic Design
Felix Cochren - Striking designs
include those for "Home," "Amen
Corner" and "Inacent Black."
Theatre Longevity Award
Berkeley Black Repertory Group -
Founded in 1 964 by Nora Vaughn as part
of a church's drama department.
Special Recognition Award
LaChanze - Actress/ singer best
known for her Tony-winning role as Celie
in Broadway's "The Color Purple."
Marvtastic Philanthropy Award
Hanesbrands, Inc. - Winston-Salem
based corporation whose brands include
L'eggs, Bali, Hanes and Champion.