Kuntu Repertory Theatre facts for kids
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| Formation | 1975 |
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| Type | Theatre group |
| Purpose | African American repertory |
| Location | |
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Artistic director(s)
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Vernell A. Lillie |
| Website | https://web.archive.org/web/20131208220613/http://www.kuntu.org/ |
The Kuntu Repertory Theatre was a special theater group in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It focused on plays by African-American writers and performers. Dr. Vernell A. Lillie started it in 1974 at the University of Pittsburgh. The theatre helped many talented people share their stories on stage.
Contents
The Story of Kuntu Theatre
How It Started
Dr. Vernell A. Lillie, a professor, began Kuntu Repertory Theatre in 1974. She wanted to show the plays of a writer named Rob Penny. The next year, Penny's friend, August Wilson, brought his play Homecoming to Kuntu. This was the first time a theater company produced one of August Wilson's plays.
The theater group was part of the University of Pittsburgh's Department of Africana Studies. It stayed there until the 2010-2011 season. That's when Dr. Lillie retired from her teaching job at the university.
A Place for Writers
August Wilson, Rob Penny, and a poet named Maisha Baton also created the Kuntu Writers Workshop. This workshop brought African-American writers together. They could talk about their work and get help publishing or producing their plays and poems.
Awards and Recognition
The Kuntu Repertory Theatre won many awards for its work. These included several Onyx and People's Choice awards. These awards came from the African American Council of Theatre. The company also took part in the Pittsburgh New Works Festival.
Where They Performed
When Kuntu was at the University of Pittsburgh, they performed in two main places. First, they used the Stephen Foster Memorial. Later, until the 2010-11 season, they used the auditorium in the university's Alumni Hall.
In 2011, Kuntu moved to a new home. This was at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's Homewood branch.
Why Kuntu Closed
Sadly, the Kuntu Repertory Theatre faced money problems. Because of these funding difficulties, the theatre announced it would close. It stopped performing after the 2012-2013 season.
Notable People
Many talented people were part of Kuntu Repertory Theatre. Some of them became well-known actors and writers.
- Esther Rolle
- Glynn Turman
- Mark Southers
- Rob Penny
- Sala Udin
- Montae Russell
See also
- Theatre in Pittsburgh
