“My Children! My Africa!� is set in South Africa. It centers on a relationship between an old-fashioned African teacher: his favorite male student, and a white female South African student who comes to visit their school for a debate in apartheid South Africa. The meeting exposes the barriers to communication among the races in South Africa.
On Monday, November 21, when the Audience Development Committee, Inc. (AUDELCO) celebrates its 33rd annual Vivian Robinson/AUDELCO Recognition Awards, better known as “The VIV,� at Manhattan’s Aaron Davis Hall expect one of the hardest working Caribbean theater advocates in the audience—E. Wayne McDonald.
This year, to the surprise of McDonald, he was nominated for a VIV Award for directing “My Children! My Africa!� The play, written by Athol Fugard, also received a VIV nomination—Outstanding Ensemble Performance—for the Caribbean American Repertory Theatre (CART) and Banana Boat Production (BBP) production of “My Children! My Africa! The cast starred Corrie Beula, Edwin Briscoe, and Rudolph Shaw.
“My Children! My Africa!� is set in South Africa. It centers on a relationship between an old-fashioned African teacher: his favorite male student, and a white female South African student who comes to visit their school for a debate in apartheid South Africa. The meeting exposes the barriers to communication among the races in South Africa. The play is collaboration between two Caribbean theater companies: CART and BBP.
The VIV is one of theater’s prestigious recognition awards for excellence in Black theatre. While established actors may bypass opportunities to attend major award shows, there is a group of AUDELCO supporters who have been at the helm of the organization-since it was co-founded by the late theater aficionado, Vivian Robinson-and are looking forward to attending the 2005 AUDELCO Awards. “It is our (AUDELCO) 33 year,� said long-time AUDELCO supporter, Grace L. Jones, who is president of the Harlem-based theater entity. “It is the highest degree; the best of the best,� added Jones who is a co-host and executive producer of the cable television program, “Living With Grace.�
According to Jones, the elaborate ceremony should consist of a long list of VIV nominees like McDonald. The Outstanding Pioneer Award recipients are: Graham Brown, Earle Hyman, Dr. Gloria Van Scott, and Rev. Malika Lee Whitney. The Board of Directors Award will go to Elmyra Hull, Sara E. Morgan, and Ademola Olugebefola. The honorary co-chairs of the 33rd VIV are actors: Lou Myers (“The Color Purple�) and Barbara Montgomery.
Popular actors Ralph Carter and Kim Fields are the co-hosts for this event. Generally, the AUDELCO Awards is a stellar, interesting, and family-oriented show. Sometimes a warm group of artists, in attendance, can create a hotly contentious atmosphere. This, of course, may dependent upon the show’s nominees.
The 33rd annual Vivian Robinson/ AUDELCO Recognition Awards will convene at Aaron Davis Hall’s Marian Anderson Theatre at West 135th Street and Convent Avenue in Harlem, NY. The program begins at 6 p.m. with a gala reception. The award’s presentation commences at 7 p.m.
For information on the AUDELCO Recognition Awards, call (212) 368-6906, (212) 222 0206 or (201) 836-1731. Additionally, the mailing address for AUDELCO is: P.O. Box 30, Manhattanville Station, New York, NY 10027.
