#negroensemblecompany

[brandonimhotep]

Happy Heavenly Birthday To Esther Rolle!! 🥳🎉 She would have turned 101 today!! The late-great Esther Rolle was born into a family that initially came to the U.S. from the Caribbean. Esther Rolle was born on Nov 8, 1920 in #PompanoBeach, #Florida. Her mother gave birth to 18 children, 3 of whom went on to become actresses. Esther Rolle was the 10th of 18 children. Rolle initially studied at the #SpelmanCollege in #Atlanta, however, she soon moved to the #HunterCollege in #NewYork City, where she worked various jobs at the #NewYorkCity Garment district to support her college education. Rolle was also a member of the highly prestigious #ZetaPhiBeta sorority. While working a traditional job in the garment district in #NYC, Rolle rekindled her passion for theater and the arts. She followed in her mother’s footsteps as a performer in the #NegroEnsembleCompany. That turned out to be the launchpad into Rolle’s on-stage success as, over the years, she had important roles in such theater plays. Her most significant of all Rolle’s accomplishments, back when “#Maude” and “#GoodTimes” were hit shows, was her insistence that people of color who worked with her and around her be treated with the same dignity and respect. When #NormanLear approached Esther with the script for the show, she refused to take the job unless they included a paternal figure in the series who would be Florida’s husband and the father of her children. After “Good Times”, Rolle mostly acted for direct to television movies. She acted for Bruce Beresford’s “#DrivingMissDaisy” in 1989. She also acted for #JohnSingleton’s “#Rosewood” in 1997. All in all, she acted for 15 stage plays from 1965 to 1989, and 22 separate television roles from 1964 to 1998. Rolle also released a music album in 1975 which was titled “#TheGardenofMyMind”. Diagnosed with diabetes, Rolle’s health failed in the 1990s and toward the end of her life she was on kidney dialysis. The actress, who was divorced and had no children, passed on Nov. 17, 1998. She is buried in Westview Cemetery in #Pompano Beach. #InLovingMemory #EstherRolle 👉🏾 Kindly FOLLOW Our Mother Page @wonderwombman ✨✨ https://www.instagram.com/p/CWBFn0Ml1zL/?utm_medium=tumblr

[trini2015]

Regrann from @phylicia_rashadfanpage - Happy Birthday Phylicia Rashad. History facts 3: After graduating from @howard1867, Phylicia Ayers wanted to become a working theatre actress. She worked at several theatre production in the 70s, like The wiz, Negro Ensemble Company, touring theatre productions. In the 70s she made a lot background work in TV and TV commercials. She also recorded a Tribute album of Josephine Baker. Most importantly, in the 70s she became a mother of a son - William Lancelot Bowles III. In the 80s she rose to fame. She appeared in One live to life, Love Boat, Santa Barbara and so on. In 1984 she was cast as Clair Huxtable in the Cosby Show and became the TV mother of many generations since then. Also in the 80s, she became a mother of a daughter, @dolabunny. Happy 70th birthday to the queen and mom. Pictures: Phylicia in the 70s, Video of Two loves have I, Negro Ensemble Company, One life to live and The cosby show. And picture with her son and daughter. #phyliciarashad #happybirthday #70thbirthday #birthday #bornday #juneteenth #theatre #theater #broadway #touring #album #mother #josephinebaker #singing #actress #commercial #tv #onelifetolive #thecosbyshow #breakthrough #funfact #retrospective #throwback #70s #80s #motherhood #negroensemblecompany #twoloveshavei #todayinhistory #queenmom

[okunilorraine]

Celebrating Black History Month. Mr. Hooks remains active in the Theatre world. I saw him on the anniversary celebration of the DC Black Repertory in 2020.💜 #theatre #dramalover #acting #actinglife #actingonstage #eachoneteachone #fortheculture✊🏾 #blackhistoryisamericanhistory #blackhistoryiseveryday #actors #actresses #negroensemblecompany #nec #director #techtheatre #mycreativespirit #roberthooks https://www.instagram.com/p/CLhm8f3jIqB/?igshid=7u7hrvqyyiql

[yetihideout]

Unforgettable: My Favorite Character Actors

Rosalind Cash (1938–1995)

I spent a large part of yesterday reading about actress Rosalind Cash, one of my favorite faces. I didn't know anything about her background so I was fascinated when I found several interesting articles and a couple of interviews. From what I was able to discover, Rosalind was a born performer, finding a knack for impersonations at an early age: "I could be anybody. I could sing like anybody. I used to imitate Billy Holiday, Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughn, and I could do them right to the tee. I imitated people's little mannerisms and I think that was the beginning."*

Rosalind was also extremely aware of and concerned about the depictions of the black experience being represented on stage and screen. She was a member of the innovative Negro Ensemble Company, an award-winning troupe dedicated to exploring and performing material that focused on honest portrayals of black life. She struggled with the roles being offered to her, flat out rejecting anything that indicated stereotypes. This defiance often led to criticism, not just from producers and directors who viewed this as "difficult", but from her audience as well: "I've had people - a black woman from Brooklyn - come up to me and say, 'You know, you and Cicely Tyson just make me sick.' I said, why? She says, 'You're so picky. You don't want to be on this and you don't want to be on that. We don't care what we see you in - we want to SEE you.'"* Quite the double-edged sword. Despite these conditions, Rosalind assembled an impressive and wide-ranging list of credits. She appeared in almost every television show known to man - from "Mary Tyler Moore" to "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" - playing strong characters, including doctors, academics, judges and members of law enforcement. My awareness of her began when I first saw The Omega Man (1971). I was instantly mesmerized by her wide, beautiful face and strength. I always think of the scene where Charlton Heston first glimpses Lisa in the department store posing as a mannequin. I wish the whole movie had been about her instead! Can we please have a "last WOMAN on earth" story? I also enjoyed Rosalind's bit as the jealous snake woman in From a Whisper to a Scream (1987) and her last film role as the mysterious doctor in Tales from the Hood (1995). One role of hers that I have yet to see, and one I'm incredibly curious about, is her appearance in the notorious Death Spa (1989)! This particular title really stands out from the rest so I can't imagine what attracted her to it!

Regardless of whatever the role, Rosalind brought indelible warmth, grace and power to the screen. A presence that is truly missed.

*Quotes courtesy of Cash, Rosalind and McClaurin-Allen, Irma (1986) "Working: The Black Actress in the Twentieth Century," Contributions in Black Studies: Vol. 8, Article 6.

[colbychristina529]

At the Negro Ensemble Company 50th Anniversary with the Living Legend DOUGLAS TURNER WARD. #colbychristina #teamcolbychristina #colbyscorner #actress #dancer #singer #theatre #model #speaker #film #movies #tv #festival #negroensemblecompany #douglasturnerward #legacy #livinglegend

[uptownbill]

Attending a performance of Imminetly Yours by #NEC #negroensemblecompany (at Theatre 80) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzEe2waj_gj/?igshid=36gq792mmdea

[kayprism]

Along with #robertguillaume we have lost #daviddowning Yet another member of the #negroensemblecompany gone too soon. First met him at #nbtf in 1995 and over the years we became great #theater buddies He was #charming #caring and incredibly talented as an #actor and #director beloved in both #nyc and #losangeles Gone but never forgotten. RIP David. Love, Your Theater Daughter (at Los Angeles, California)

[phylicia-rashadfanpage]

Post 2 to celebrate Phylicia Rashad 69th Birthday. From the 70s to the early 90s. In the 70s: Part of the Original Broadway production of The Wiz, several Advertising Engagements, working with the Negro Ensemble company in several Productions. 80s: The Cosby Show and other things. SWIPE #earlydays #young #beginnings #theatre #advertising #actress #negroensemblecompany #thewiz #breakthrough #success #thecosbyshow #birthday #happybirthday #phyliciarashad #career #mondaymotivation #actress #cosbyshow #goddess #legendary #queen #clairhuxtable #youngbae #backintheday #celebration #beauty #grace #sophisticated #broadway #tv #juneteenth

[barrygaudy]

G.O.A.T. You can underestimate my impact on society/culture now, but January 1st my influence will be undeniable. I've had some amazing contributes to my success. My mom and dad for bringing me into the world. Keimisa Larrier for having #JeramiahSong and them both giving me a reason to live outside of my own art and ego. My brothers and sisters who literally have fed and housed me when I was on the brink of personal destruction. @chazmerebx for introducing me to @bkwildlife one of the most inspiring artists I've ever met by leading many of us to new levels of creation. @95labs a giving soul and a believer in authenticity @kennenbunk and the whole #negroensemblecompany for honing in my acting skills on stage and giving me vocabulary of black playwrights and actors to connect with. #newfame for helping me realize being apart of a team is compromise and also change, they were apart of the reason I went to #vietnam to all I met on my journey in #sea plus @stanfordreidsme For the exclusive vibes. Remember to #powerourplanet my cousin @balexanderj for keeping my internet and lifestyle swag in check. @tommiesox @lighthousemusic @melaniecharlesisdflower @mejiwahn @blackzeusx @xoshroq @keciaelan @missafahrenheit @missbelafonte for helping me grow musically throughout the years and listening. @damiendsmith and @jojett for giving me a place to sleep on the west coast. I can't believe I'm #richandfamous now. What does that really mean? #imdb page on fleek, #itunes downloads and #streams at an all time high, booking shows and past shows on #rerun I'm the #goat the radio knows it now, the world knows it now, and you my audience you know it now. Give love. Give light. My purpose is to shine my light so others can walk the #path GOD GAVE ME THIS PROJECT TO GIVE TO THE UNIVERSE. IT WILL BE PLAYING ALL AROUND YOU SO YOU WILL #HEARIT SOON ENOUGH #godbless #revolutionaryratchet those that made the project you are among the lucky few in the world to work with me. We are here in full effect #harlemriveryachtclub (at Planet Earth)

[brittanyacts]

Surprise! I'm in rehearsal! #ALovelyMalfunction #NegroEnsembleCompany #actorlife #rehearsal #nyc

[okunilorraine]

Happy Black History Month Creatives..💜 I saw this last night. Photograph/lovers in motion is powerful. Written by ntozake shange, adapted by her sister Ifa Bayeza this is a well written and well acted drama. Photograph features a host of outstanding actors and tells a story of a complicated love with all its twists and turns. Photograph closes at the end of the month at Theatre 80 St. Marks in NYC. This is A MUST SEE💜. #drama #theatre #theatreteachers #actorslife #actor #actresslife #directorslife #playwrightsofcolor #playwright #workingactor #nyc #negroensemblecompany #actress #ntozakeshange #director #nyctheatre #act #actingonstage #drama #ilovetoact🎭 #director #offoffbroadway https://www.instagram.com/p/B8sSG-3pr7w/?igshid=1uvwemtb49doa

[uptownbill]

#negroensemblecompany cast of #asoldiersplay accepts their Audelco Award (at BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqduyg9D36j/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1d0bsghz20jss

[kayprism]

Highlighting #judydearing who taught #costumedesign at #howarduniversity well after being trained at #negroensemblecompany A truly #gifted #artist and sweet person. Not to mention she was an #artistic & #visionary #genius Blessed I knew this ancestor personally... (at Nate Holden Performing Arts Center)

[kayprism]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by KAYPRI💥multi-hyphenate #artivist on🔥 (@kayprism)

Blessed to meet and thank these #visionaries #founders #negroensemblecompany #newyork #theater #theaterhistory #douglasturnerward #roberthooks #ificouldturnbacktime .... I carry on for them. Proudly. (at Nate Holden Performing Arts Center)

[kayprism]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by KAYPRI💥multi-hyphenate #artivist on🔥 (@kayprism)

Awesome to celebrate #negroensemblecompany last eve. I crossed path with many members over the years many of who have passed on. Glad I got to meet the founders #douglasturnerward #roberthooks watch the classic #dayofabsence and have a special reunion with much of the #theater community in #losangeles Very special night. The spirit of #love was in the building. I am blessed to be part of the new generation carrying on their legacy. (at Nate Holden Performing Arts Center)

[kayprism]

Tonight I will celebrate an era of #theater #history that birthed a movement in 1966 I still carry #thebaton for as an independent theater performer and producer. Babygirl even had a reading there in her early days... #negroensemblecompany #losangeles For many #actors #writers #directors that are still known today #nec was their training ground. Most well known are #denzel and #lorrainehansberry along with: Angela Bassett Laurence Fishburne Lynn Whitfieldq Esther Rolle Robert Hooks Douglas Turner Ward Robert Hooks (founder) Douglas Turner Ward (founder) Charles Fuller Joe Walker Judi -Ann Mason ( my late mentor one of 2 female playwrights) Velina Hasu Houston ( the other female playwright now USC professor) Sherman Hemsley S Epatha Merkerson Jackee Harry David Allen Grier Mary Alice Billy Dee Williams Michelle Shay James Pickens Jr. Oyamo Rosalind Cash Antonio Fargas Barbara Ann Teer (founder National Black Theater still going strong since she passed away) Adolf Ceasar Roxie Roker Samm-Art Williams... AND MANY MANY MORE!!!! See more complete list www.necinc.org/alumni (at Nate Holden Performing Arts Center)