YOUR HUMBLE SERVANT IN THE THEATRE, DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON, SHARES SOME BELATED AND SAD NEWS REGARDING A RESPECTED AND IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTOR TO CHICAGO'S AFRICAN-AMERICAN PROFESSIONAL THEATRE COMMUNITY!
Every year at this time ( usually mid-August ) I am always delighted to read the list of local Windy City African-American talents who have been honored with The Annual Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Awards nominations as well as Special Recognition Honors provided by a well-versed performing arts BTAA Judging Committee and the BTAA's President and Founder, the irrepressible and always enthusiastic Mr. Vincent E. Williams.
This year, however, this staple of Chicago's Performing Arts Community has suffered an immeasurable loss.
Mr. Vincent E. Williams, who for nearly 30 years faithfully and diligently served as the guiding force and inspiration of this well-known local arts organization, passed away earlier this year in April. He will most certainly be missed by his friends, family and all those ( and there are many ) who were touched by the fine and well-deserved honors he bestowed upon literally hundreds of creative and performing artists throughout the greater African-American arts community since 1995.
Your humble servant only recently became aware of Mr. Williams' passing, but is happy to be one of many who salute his 3-decade-long commitment to honoring the contributions of African-American Artists of The Greater Chicago Professional Theatre Community.
Rest In Power, Mr. Williams.
Here is a link to a feature story regarding Mr. Williams' much appreciated life and work provided by his fellow Theatre Alums at Chicago's Columbia College as well as other links to articles regarding the late and committed Mr. Williams' much-needed work.
http://www.lovehardbikeride.org/vincent-williams.html
https://events.eventnoire.com/e/an-evening-of-celebration-for-vincent-williams-fou
A nearly 50-year veteran of live theatre and public literary arts presentations, with involvement in more than 250 local and regional productions, Darryl Maximilian Robinson is Founder of both the multiracial chamber theatres The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago and The Excaliber Shakespeare Company Los Angeles Archival Project. He is a 1997 Chicago Joseph Jefferson Citation Award Winner and a previous ( 1997, 1999, 2001 ) Four-Time Chicago Black Theatre Alliance / Ira Aldridge Award Nominee.