Drummers, African dancers and a masked performer on stilts brought some energy and drive to the opening festivities of the National Black Theatre Festival Monday night.
Drummers, African dancers and a stilt walker lead a procession of celebrities and honorees at the awards gala for the National Black Theatre Festival. (Aug. 3, 2015) STAFF PHOTO/JAY HANDELMAN
The drum corps and dancers greeted elegantly dressed guest, some wearing elaborate headdresses, and escorted celebrities and honorees in a procession to the dais for the festival's awards ceremony. Nate Jacobs, founder and artistic director of Sarasota's Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, was smiling broadly as he joined a lineup that included television stars (and festival co-chairs) Debbi Morgan and Darnell Williams, actors Bill Cobbs and Jackee Harry, and Broadway stars Norm Lewis, Andre DeShields, Maurie Hines, Hattie Winston, Melba Moore and others.
Nate Jacobs, right, takes part in an elaborate process into the awards gala for the 2015 National Black Theatre Festival with Broadway and TV veteran Hattie Winston on his arm. STAFF PHOTO/JAY HANDELMAN
Jacobs said he was humbled to receive the festival's Producer's Award, named for the late founder Larry Leon Hamlin, whom he described as an inspiring mentor. In the crowd were Jacobs' daughter, Naarai, members of the Westcoast troupe's board of directors and The Rev. Henry Porter, founder of the Westcoast Center for Human Development, who first encouraged Jacobs to start his theater.
After the dinner patrons walked a few blocks to the Stevens Center, part of the University of North Carolina School for the Arts, for a performance of Black Stars of the Great White Way. Lewis, the first black actor to play the Phantom in the Broadway production of "Phantom of the Opera," opened a program that included his version of "Stars," from "Les Miserables," in which he played Inspector Javert.
Alyson Williams sang some jazzy version of Duke Ellington classics, 72-year-old Maurice Hines tap danced like he was a kid, and Winston sang a tender duet with her husband, veteran Broadway and TV musical director Harold Wheeler. But the enthusiastic audience saved its biggest cheers for the charistmatic DeShields, who originated the title character in Broadway's "The Wiz" and starred in the original run of "Ain't Misbehavin'."
Nate Jacobs, founder and artistic director of the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe accepts the Producer's Award at the National Black Theatre Festival Opening Gala. (Aug. 3, 2015) STAFF PHOTO/JAY HANDELMAN
The event kicked off five days of performances by more than 30 companies from around the world scattered around Winston-Salem. More than 60,000 people are expected to attend this year's festival.
Nate Jacobs, right, founder and artistic director of the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, is congratulated for his Producers Award at the National Black Theatre Festival by board members, from left, Marion Moss, Mike Rosario and Julie Leach in Winston-Salem, N.C. (Aug. 3, 2015) STAFF PHOTO/JAY HANDELMAN
Two tables were filled with supporters of the Westcoast Troupe, including several board members and some staff. Production manger and musical director Jay Dodge overcame some travel headaches during Monday's severe rain storms but made it in time to see Jacobs receive his plaque and make his speech. The troupe will be presenting four performances of "Soul Crooners 2." Board President Julie Leach said two of the shows are already sold out in a 600-seat venue.
Read more about the National Black Theatre Festival and follow our coverage all week here.
