Photo Flash: Drama Desk Panel in Washington, DC
By: BWW News Desk Apr. 23, 2007
Drama Desk Awards presenter and executive producer Robert R. Blume was a special guest speaker at the 12th Annual Conference of the Women Ambassadors Foundation, a Washington, DC, panel examining the role of imagery from Broadway and Hollywood in global diplomacy and public. The event was sponsored by Howard University, The Ralph J Bunch Center, and U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) was held April 5th. The panel was hosted by Bunny Dublin, producer of the acclaimed documentary Answering the Call, Ground Zero's Volunteers.
Press notes state, "Students and professors from Howard University participated in the poignant and sometimes unsettling presentations and discussions but the conference also featured some star glitter from Broadway and Hollywood, with a serious note. In addition to Blume, the "World in Images" panel discussion on the role of Broadway and Hollywood in public diplomacy included: actress Jenna Elfman (who was also presented with the foundation's Goodwill Ambassador Award for her work in the field of human rights and criminal rehabilitation); New York Times best-selling author Linda Grover; Howard University alumnus Linda Goss, Philadelphia's official storyteller, author and co-founder of 'In the tradition...,' the National Black Storytelling Festival and Conference."Citing recent New York stage shows including Twelve Angry Men and Inherit the Wind, Blume stated, "One of the great things about the American theatre, the New York Stage in particular, is how it has historically tended to tackle some of the toughest issues citizens of the world face, how often it reflects both society's greatest aspirations as well as its winters of our discontent."Blume, a theatrical producer for over 25 years and President of the new production/consulting firm Blume Media Group Ltd., has increased the public awareness of the stature and prestige of the Drama Desk Awards to where it is now regarded by many as the 'Golden Globes' of the theatre, as well as the televised precursor to the annual Tony Awards broadcast several weeks later. Among his current projects are the development of two TV shows and a touring stage musical, Earthlings, and as serving as consultant for Australian musical Angels, scheduled for Broadway in 2008.
Robert R. Blume Speaking on 'World in Images' Panel with Linda Grover (l) and Bunny Dubin (r)
Robert R. Blume with Actress Jenna Elfman (TV's "Dharma and Greg")
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