Joseph A. Walker (playwright)
Encyclopedia
Joseph Alexander Walker (1935–2003) was an African American
playwright and screenwriter, theater director, actor and professor. He is best known for writing the play The River Niger
, a three-act play that was originally produced Off-Broadway
in 1972 by the Negro Ensemble Company
before being transferred to Broadway in 1973 and then adapted into a 1976 film starring James Earl Jones
and Cicely Tyson
. In 1974, Walker became the first African American writer to win the Tony Award
, being honored for The River Niger. The playwright previously won an Obie Award
during that play's 1972-1973 Off-Broadway run.
and completed all requirements except the thesis for a Masters in Philosophy. In 1957, he entered the Air Force as a Second Lieutenant and later received a Masters of Fine Arts in Drama from Catholic University
. In his later years, he taught Drama at Howard University and served as chairman of the Theater Department at Rutgers University
.
Walker was one of the first African Americans, along with Lorraine Hansberry
, to win the Tony Award for best promising play, which he won for The River Niger. His efforts and talents drew him critical acclaim at the Negro Ensemble Company
(NEC) with Douglas Turner Ward
as the artistic director. The River Niger's run was one of the NEC's longest consecutive runs. Other works include the drama District Line , Yin-Yang, The Harangues (Tribal Harangue 1, 2,and 3), The Lion is a Soul Brother, Out of the Ashes, Absolution of Willie Mae, Koulaba D. Haiti, and the musical King Buddy Bolden.
before serving as First Lieutenant, 2nd in command of 350 Airmen of the 42nd Supply Squadron. In 1958–60, while stationed at Loring Air Force Base
, Walker became founder and artistic director of Pine Tree Theatre Guild. During that time, his first son, Michael Alexander Walker, was born. Walker's second son, Steven Martin Walker, was born in 1962; that same year, Walker was discharged and decided to pursue an MFA in Theatre with a minor in Elizabethan Drama at Catholic University. During this time, Barbara Walker pursued her law degree.
Walker's time in the Air Force is significant because the main character from The River Niger, Jeff Williams, was also discharged from the Air Force. The Williams character also makes references to symbolically asking everyone at the Air Force base to let go of my toe. Barbara Walker has stated that The River Niger may be semi-autobiographical.
He taught at Spingarn High School
in Washington D.C. from 1963-1965 as an English/Drama teacher.
In 1969 to 1975, he taught at C.C.N.Y Leonard Davis Center of Performing Arts. as an Associate Professor in the Speech and Theatre Department. Also in 1969 he met Moses Gun who introduced him to Douglas Turner Ward
, the Artistic director of The Negro Ensemble Company, which led to the production of The Harangues, opening the 1969-1970 season. Ododo, which Walker wrote, directed and co-choreographed opened with mixed reviews in the 1970-1971 season at NEC, whose music was composed and directed by his second wife Dorothy Ann Dinroe-Walker, also a Howard University graduate. Walker married Dorothy A. Dinroe in 1970, a match made in their love for the arts.
During this time Walker, wanting to create his own theatre company thereby became the artistic director of the Demi-Gods. The Demi-Gods, was co-founded along with wife Dinroe-Walker, between 1970-74. In 1971-72, Walker along with Dorothy A. Walker co-produced Yin-Yang at the African American Studio. In 1972-73, Douglas Turner Ward went into production for the The River Niger
. The response to The River Niger was so overwhelming that the play was moved to the Brooks Atkinson Theatre
on Broadway in 1973, where it won the Tony Award in 1974. It was this same year in which his first daughter was born, Kumina Walker.
Walker received 400 hours towards a Motion Picture Production Certificate received at the Germaine School of Photography, N.Y.C. in 1973. He also completed 28 credits towards his Ph.D. program in Cinema Studies at New York University
, and was was honored as Playwright-in-Residence at Yale School of Drama
.
's Camden Campus. He is survived by his five children Michael Walker, Steven Walker, Kumina Walker, Nandi Walker and Jodoa Walker. Walker's youngest son, Kamau Walker, predeceased him in 2001.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
playwright and screenwriter, theater director, actor and professor. He is best known for writing the play The River Niger
The River Niger
The River Niger is a play by American playwright, Joseph A. Walker, first performed by New York City's Negro Ensemble Company off-Broadway in 1972. The production made its Broadway debut with a transfer to the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on 27 March 1973 for a run of 162 performances.-Characters :*...
, a three-act play that was originally produced Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
in 1972 by the Negro Ensemble Company
Negro Ensemble Company
The Negro Ensemble Company is a New York City-based theater company. Established in 1967 by playwright Douglas Turner Ward, producer/actor Robert Hooks, and theater manager Gerald S...
before being transferred to Broadway in 1973 and then adapted into a 1976 film starring James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones is an American actor. He is well-known for his distinctive bass voice and for his portrayal of characters of substance, gravitas and leadership...
and Cicely Tyson
Cicely Tyson
Cicely Tyson is an American actress. A successful stage actress, Tyson is also known for her Oscar-nominated role in the film Sounder and the television movies The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman and Roots....
. In 1974, Walker became the first African American writer to win the Tony Award
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
, being honored for The River Niger. The playwright previously won an Obie Award
Obie Award
The Obie Awards or Off-Broadway Theater Awards are annual awards given by The Village Voice newspaper to theatre artists and groups in New York City...
during that play's 1972-1973 Off-Broadway run.
Biography
Walker was born in Washington, D.C to born to Joseph A. Walker and Florine G. Johnson. He earned an undergraduate degree in Philosophy from Howard UniversityHoward University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
and completed all requirements except the thesis for a Masters in Philosophy. In 1957, he entered the Air Force as a Second Lieutenant and later received a Masters of Fine Arts in Drama from Catholic University
The Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America is a private university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States. It is a pontifical university of the Catholic Church in the United States and the only institution of higher education founded by the U.S. Catholic bishops...
. In his later years, he taught Drama at Howard University and served as chairman of the Theater Department at Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
.
Walker was one of the first African Americans, along with Lorraine Hansberry
Lorraine Hansberry
Lorraine Hansberry was an African American playwright and author of political speeches, letters, and essays...
, to win the Tony Award for best promising play, which he won for The River Niger. His efforts and talents drew him critical acclaim at the Negro Ensemble Company
Negro Ensemble Company
The Negro Ensemble Company is a New York City-based theater company. Established in 1967 by playwright Douglas Turner Ward, producer/actor Robert Hooks, and theater manager Gerald S...
(NEC) with Douglas Turner Ward
Douglas Turner Ward
Douglas Turner Ward is an American playwright, actor, director and theatrical producer best known as a founder and artistic director of the Negro Ensemble Company .-Biography:Turner was born in Burnside, Louisiana...
as the artistic director. The River Niger's run was one of the NEC's longest consecutive runs. Other works include the drama District Line , Yin-Yang, The Harangues (Tribal Harangue 1, 2,and 3), The Lion is a Soul Brother, Out of the Ashes, Absolution of Willie Mae, Koulaba D. Haiti, and the musical King Buddy Bolden.
Early life
Walker met his first wife, Barbara Ann, in philosophy class; they were married in September 1957. That same year Walker entered the Air Force, going first to San Antonio, Texas and then to Harlingen Air Force BaseHarlingen Air Force Base
Harlingen Air Force Base, originally Harlingen Army Airfield, is a former United States Air Force base located in northeast Harlingen, Texas, United States. After its closure, the airport was redeveloped into Valley International Airport....
before serving as First Lieutenant, 2nd in command of 350 Airmen of the 42nd Supply Squadron. In 1958–60, while stationed at Loring Air Force Base
Loring Air Force Base
Loring Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base that was under the operational control of the Strategic Air Command for most of its existence. In 1992, it was transferred to the newly-established Air Combat Command, and it was finally closed as an active Air Force installation in...
, Walker became founder and artistic director of Pine Tree Theatre Guild. During that time, his first son, Michael Alexander Walker, was born. Walker's second son, Steven Martin Walker, was born in 1962; that same year, Walker was discharged and decided to pursue an MFA in Theatre with a minor in Elizabethan Drama at Catholic University. During this time, Barbara Walker pursued her law degree.
Walker's time in the Air Force is significant because the main character from The River Niger, Jeff Williams, was also discharged from the Air Force. The Williams character also makes references to symbolically asking everyone at the Air Force base to let go of my toe. Barbara Walker has stated that The River Niger may be semi-autobiographical.
He taught at Spingarn High School
Spingarn High School
Joel Elias Spingarn High School is a public high school located in the District of Columbia. The school is named after Joel Elias Spingarn an American educator and literary critic who established the Spingarn Medal, awarded annually for outstanding achievement by an African American.Springarn...
in Washington D.C. from 1963-1965 as an English/Drama teacher.
Artistic career
He then began the pursuit of an acting career In 1966. He began studying voice and vocal reproduction from Brook Alexander, and at the end of that year joined Voices, Inc. He remained narrator, lead singer and artistic director of this organization until The Believers was produced in 1968. The Believers was co-authored by Walker and Josephine Jackson.In 1969 to 1975, he taught at C.C.N.Y Leonard Davis Center of Performing Arts. as an Associate Professor in the Speech and Theatre Department. Also in 1969 he met Moses Gun who introduced him to Douglas Turner Ward
Douglas Turner Ward
Douglas Turner Ward is an American playwright, actor, director and theatrical producer best known as a founder and artistic director of the Negro Ensemble Company .-Biography:Turner was born in Burnside, Louisiana...
, the Artistic director of The Negro Ensemble Company, which led to the production of The Harangues, opening the 1969-1970 season. Ododo, which Walker wrote, directed and co-choreographed opened with mixed reviews in the 1970-1971 season at NEC, whose music was composed and directed by his second wife Dorothy Ann Dinroe-Walker, also a Howard University graduate. Walker married Dorothy A. Dinroe in 1970, a match made in their love for the arts.
During this time Walker, wanting to create his own theatre company thereby became the artistic director of the Demi-Gods. The Demi-Gods, was co-founded along with wife Dinroe-Walker, between 1970-74. In 1971-72, Walker along with Dorothy A. Walker co-produced Yin-Yang at the African American Studio. In 1972-73, Douglas Turner Ward went into production for the The River Niger
The River Niger
The River Niger is a play by American playwright, Joseph A. Walker, first performed by New York City's Negro Ensemble Company off-Broadway in 1972. The production made its Broadway debut with a transfer to the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on 27 March 1973 for a run of 162 performances.-Characters :*...
. The response to The River Niger was so overwhelming that the play was moved to the Brooks Atkinson Theatre
Brooks Atkinson Theatre
The Brooks Atkinson Theatre is a Broadway theater located at 256 West 47th Street in Manhattan.Designed by architect Herbert J. Krapp, it was constructed as the Mansfield Theatre by the Chanin brothers in 1926. After 1933, the theatre fell into relative disuse until 1945, when Michael Myerberg...
on Broadway in 1973, where it won the Tony Award in 1974. It was this same year in which his first daughter was born, Kumina Walker.
Walker received 400 hours towards a Motion Picture Production Certificate received at the Germaine School of Photography, N.Y.C. in 1973. He also completed 28 credits towards his Ph.D. program in Cinema Studies at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
, and was was honored as Playwright-in-Residence at Yale School of Drama
Yale School of Drama
The Yale School of Drama is a graduate professional school of Yale University providing training in every discipline of the theatre: acting, design , directing, dramaturgy and dramatic criticism, playwriting, stage management, sound design, technical design and production, and theater...
.
Later life
Walker spent his last years continuing his writings while maintaining full tenure as well as Theatre Arts Chair for Rutgers UniversityRutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
's Camden Campus. He is survived by his five children Michael Walker, Steven Walker, Kumina Walker, Nandi Walker and Jodoa Walker. Walker's youngest son, Kamau Walker, predeceased him in 2001.
Awards and Accomplishments
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