FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR:BRANDON WHITE

Brandon White is a native of Dallas Texas, who received his B.F.A. degree in directing from Howard University in May of 2003. He was one of the first recipients of the Vera J. Katz Directing Scholarship in 2001.He has written and produced two original works, A Dying Generation in Need of God’s Help and No One to Turn To; for which he received an NAACP ACTSO scholarship. He has served as assistant director for such notable directors as Vera J. Katz, Mike Malone, and Tom Jones II, Eric Ruffin, and Jennifer Nelson. His own directing credits include such works as A Dying Generation in Need of God’s Help, No One to Turn To, Walking Like a Lion: Experimenting with Ntozake Shange, The Colored Museum, Chicago, Medea, Pinocchio, Oedi, The African Company Presents Richard III, Breathe, and Livin’ Fat. He received three awards for outstanding development as a director from his Alma Marta. His acting credits include works such as, A Dying Generation in Need of God’s Help, Hieroglyphic Graffiti, As You Like It, Romeo and Juliet, Lysistrata, Young Playwrights Theatre’s Youth or Dare Tour 2004, The Wrestling Season, The Meeting, and 1001 Black Inventions, and Lions of Industry,  Additional theatre experience includes stage management, light and sound technician, and performance arts education. “I would like to extend my gratitude to all those who have influenced my growth as an artist, both positively and otherwise. I give special thanks to my friends and family for their undying support and belief in my abilities, and God for blessing me with all that I have and am.” Gye – Nyame. (No One but God)

Ronald Lee Newman is a proud graduate of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts (vocal music c/o 1994). In addition to serving on the board of the Alumni Association, Mr. Newman serves as a Stage Manager for the Washington National Opera, Opera Theatre of Northern Virginia.
Some of Mr. Newman's artistic credits include: Thunder of Horse, International tour of David Talbert's Love on Lay-a-way starring Deborah Cox, Martha Wash, Lenny Williams and Mel Jackson, Magic Flute, TIMBUKTU!, Ain't Misbehavin', Enchantment of Dreams (World Premier), Brundibar, Debbie Allen's Dancing in the Wings, the East Coast world premier of Dream of the Pacific, Ragtime the Musical, L'occasione fa il ladro, Cosi Fan Tutte, Barber of Seville, Say it Ain't So, Roll On!, A Liberating Prayer: A Love Song For Mumia, Mike Malone's Black Nativity and Black Broadway, The Washington Post Music and Dance Scholarship Awards with Jasmine Guy and Jim Vance. Ronald received his B.F.A. in Arts Administration from Howard University and currently serves as Operations and Logistics Manager and lecturer for arts administration and stage management at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts.