Clement Gibson
Editor-in-Chief
The 83rdannual conference for NADSA— National Association of Dramatic and Speech Arts, took place in Baltimore, Md., from April 3-6, 2019.
NADSA was founded by Sheppard Randolph Edmonds in 1936 to provide a professional organization for students, educators and practitioners of theater and the communicative arts.
Prior to the NADSA, African-Americans were not allowed to compete in competitions like this with whites.
Edmonds wanted to create a space for African-American students to compete, learn and network on a national level.
The event was hosted by Coppin State University but other HBCU’s attended including— Grambling State, Bethune-Cookman, Delaware State, North Carolina Central, Winston Salem State and Prairie View A&M.
Students represented their schools in eight competitions— dramatic monologue, oral interpretation of prose and poetry, reader’s theater, duo acting, persuasive speaking, the Allen Williams play festival and the S. Edmond Randolph playwriting.
JSU placed first or second in every competitive category— first in persuasive speaking, the play festival and oral interpretation of poetry.
Second place was awarded for reader’s theater, oral interpretation of prose, dramatic monologue, duo acting, and playwrighting.
DeShadrian Hopkins, Jaquan Walker, Shameelah Abdullah, Parker DeLoach, Michael Barber, Denzel Fort and Michael Taylor were some of the students who were recognized individually.
The directors and staff— Mark G. Henderson, Prince Duren, Nadia Bodie-Smith and James Pettis assisted the students on their quest to receiving more hardware than any other school in attendance.
Michael Taylor, a junior theater major from Chicago, Ill., was chosen for the all-star cast in the play festival and served as the student body president for this year’s conference.
He shared what he liked about his experience as president, networking and planning events for the student body.
“I enjoyed the authority I had. I liked that we were able to network with students and faculty from other schools. I also enjoyed planning events like the student mixer and speaking with the board members.”
Shantella Sherman, a publisher of ACUMEN Magazine, special sections editor for the Washington Informer and former editor of the Blue & White Flash was invited by Coppin State.
She has traveled the world, witnessed great performers, and felt the same amazement from these students— none more than Jackson States’.
“The performances were amazing… they hit their marks and went beyond. Having seen performances across the world— London, Zimbabwe, New York and D.C., I was amazed by many schools, especially the Jackson State performers. As far as I was concerned, I was seeing professional actors and actresses even though they’re still students,” said Sherman.
She finished by explaining the importance of supporting the students, schools and events like this one.
Sherman concluded, “It’s a must. I think in addition to comradery amongst different HBCU’s, that it also helps to illuminate the talent that is already there. It helps the students understand how to better their trade and also gives us outsiders some insight into the direction they are heading.”
Rain Pryor, an actor, director, writer, and daughter of the late comedy legend, Richard Pryor served as the keynote speaker for the banquet.
She shared all her struggles and accomplishments but made it clear that she achieved what she did without any handouts.
Pryor stated, “He may be my father and I have the last name, but I did not get any of the Richard Pryor money that people think I may have. He told me that I would have to go and get it for myself if I wanted it.”
History will continue to be made in black theater as the 84thannual conference is set to be back in Baltimore, Md., for 2020.
