KELSEY E. COLLIE is a retired professor of Theatre Arts from
Howard University, where he continues his relationship with
the Department of Theatre Arts and the Division of Fine Arts
as a consultant. While at the University, he founded the
Howard University Children’s Theatre and the Playmakers Reper-
tory Company. He currently operates his own Children’s Theatre
Experience and the Playmakers Repertory Company as a part of
the Community Theatre at Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church,
under the direction of Richard Jackson. Collie also manages
young talent and has been responsible for developing such talents
as Kellie Williams of the ABC sitcom, “What About Joan,” and
Tony Powell, choreographer/dancer.
He is an award—winning play-
wright, having received international prizes for “Black Images!
Black Reflections,” (1977) and “Brother, Brother, Brother Mine,”
(1979). He has directed productions at Howard University,
the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Loyola University (La.),
Uriah McPhee School (Nassau) and the Caribana Festival,
(Toronto). Collie has conducted workshops in the former Czecho-
slovakia, Finland, the Bahamas, Canada and across the United
States. He has authored several articles which have appeared
in many periodicals, as well as contributed to Nellie McCaslin’s
book, “Theatre for Young Audiences.” He is Artistic Director
and a board member of Color Me Human Players, Inc.~ a moderator
for the Helen Hayes Theatre Legacy Project and Executive Direc-
tor of the National African American Children’s Theatre.
MELVIN ANDREWS
is a drama teacher at Anacostia High School
in Washington, D.C. and has been involved in theatre arts since
he was in grammar school. A 1978 graduate of the Howard University
Department of Thetre Arts, he has dedicated most of his adult
life to teaching, directing, managing and mentoring young people.
Andrews has toured in Europe and the United States, with appear-
ances in Washington, D.C. productions at Back Alley Theatre,
the Kennedy Center, Cramton Auditorium and the Ira Aldridge
Theatre at Howard University.
He has also supervised technical
activities for productions at the Fort Dupont Park Summer
Theatre, the Smithsonian Institution’s Festival of American
Folklife, and the Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church. He founded
the young all-girl singing group, Tomboyy, and is a talent agent.
He has been General Manager of the Kelsey E. Collie Children’s
Theatre Experience and the Playmakers Repertory Company for
almost 20 years.
KELSEY E. COLLIE is a retired professor of Theatre Arts from
Howard University, where he continues his relationship with
the Department of Theatre Arts and the Division of Fine Arts
as a consultant. While at the University, he founded the
Howard University Children’s Theatre and the Playmakers Reper-
tory Company. He currently operates his own Children’s Theatre
Experience and the Playmakers Repertory Company as a part of
the Community Theatre at Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church,
under the direction of Richard Jackson. Collie also manages
young talent and has been responsible for developing such talents
as Kellie Williams of the ABC sitcom, “What About Joan,” and
Tony Powell, choreographer/dancer.
MELVIN ANDREWS
is a drama teacher at Anacostia High School
in Washington, D.C. and has been involved in theatre arts since
he was in grammar school. A 1978 graduate of the Howard University
Department of Thetre Arts, he has dedicated most of his adult
life to teaching, directing, managing and mentoring young people.
Andrews has toured in Europe and the United States, with appear-
ances in Washington, D.C. productions at Back Alley Theatre,
the Kennedy Center, Cramton Auditorium and the Ira Aldridge
Theatre at Howard University.
ALESSHA MARTIN - Program Director
CALLY ANDREWS - Director of Business Affairs