Paul Robeson Award Given To Charles Randolph-Wright

Created in 1971, the Paul Robeson Award recognizes a person who best exemplifies the principles by which Mr. Robeson lived.

Charles Randolph-Wright has built a dynamic and diverse career in directing, writing and producing for theater, television and film. Throughout his work he has demonstrated a fierce commitment to create
roles and opportunities for people of color. He is a board member of the Roundabout Theater Company, where he created "Different Voices," a program which gives playwrights of different backgrounds the opportunity to develop new works. He established the workshop series, "Create
Carolina Festival," a three week multi-disciplinary intensive arts experience in which students and artists gain the skills needed to succeed in the professional world. Mr. Randolph-Wright serves on the
artistic Board of Duke University and was recently chosen for a playwright's residency in Arena Stage's American voices New Play Institute. He is a founding member of the Wright Family Foundation of South Carolina.

Mr. Randolph-Wright, who appeared in the original Broadway cast of DREAMGIRLS, is currently represented as a director Off Broadway with THROUGH THE NIGHT and he recently directed the Arena Stage production of SOPHISTICATED LADIES and GUYS AND DOLLS (starring Maurice Hines at the
Arena Stage). Charles also directed the 75th anniversary international tour of PORGY AND BESS, EMERGENCY (with Daniel Beatty, who stars in THROUGH THE NIGHT), numerous benefits, as well as television (LINCOLN HEIGHTS) and film (MAMA, I WANT TO SING, starring Lynn Whitfield, Patti LaBelle, Ben Vereen and Billy Zane).