The best two ways to go broke are “buying a boat and investing in theater.”
These were the words passed down to actor Petri Hawkins Byrd by Billie Holiday Theatre President, Marjorie Moon.
But, despite the inevitable financial hardship of maintaining a theater, the Tabia African-American Theatre Ensemble celebrated their 35th year performing on the stage.
Members of the group celebrated their history during the opening of Tabia’s 35th Anniversary Exhibition at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library Saturday.
Breaking the silence on the fifth floor, performers from Tabia sang and danced to the rhythm of West African “dundun” drums.
Multiple speakers explained the importance of theater and its role in the portrayal of the Black experience.
Duane Michael Cheers, associate professor of journalism at San Jose State, helped put the exhibit together.
Cheers, who works with Tabia, lamented the fact that Black students have almost no presence in the theatrical arts in SJSU.
“We must document our history, because if we don’t, who will?” said Cheers.
Cheers also emphasized the need to support Black theater at SJSU as well as a need for more tenured Black professors, especially after Theatre Arts professor Buddy Butler retired.
Viera Whye, artistic director of Tabia, spoke on the importance of theater to the Black community. It is not only a form of entertainment, but a consciousness-raising exercise, she said.
“When you study theater, when you study acting, you’re really studying people and learning skills to listen and relate to people,” Whye said.
She explained that theater can be useful outside the stage and help people understand more about communication.
“You’re really learning disciplines that will help you through whatever career choice you choose to go through,” Whye said. “Like learning to speak and use your voice and articulate, so if you come see our story.”
Tabia has done shows addressing topics like social justice and HIV/AIDS with an aim to educate as well as entertain, pointing out that theater is also a form of communication.
Whye also said that Tabia’s history is not just a history of Black theater, but a history of theater in general including Hispanic, Asian and white theater as well.
Guest speakers included actor Hawkins Byrd, known for his role as Bailiff Byrd on the television show “Judge Judy,” and Barry Shabaka Henley.
Hawkins Byrd, counter to his taciturn bailiff act on “Judge Judy,” brought raucous laughter to the crowd with his comedic stylings and was almost a show unto himself.
He also advocated for live theater to be showcased on television.
The exhibit was organized by librarian Kathryn Blackmer Reyes and is one of a yearly series of cultural heritage month events that include a Mexican-American and Asian-American heritage months.
These events are not funded by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library and are often furnished out of pocket by contributors like Whye, who provided photos of Tabia performances from her personal collection.
Open until Feb. 29, the exhibit is a showcase of props and other artifacts as well as photos and written excerpts from Tabia history and the history of live theater in San Jose, with a focus on people of color.
The Tabia ensemble showcased its history at SJSU, where it has roots to the Black Theater Workshop from the ‘70s.
SJSU alumni have been and continue to be important members to Tabia and Butler is a founding member of the organization.
The best two ways to go broke are “buying a boat and investing in theater.”
These were the words passed down to actor Petri Hawkins Byrd by Billie Holiday Theatre President, Marjorie Moon.
But, despite the inevitable financial hardship of maintaining a theater, the Tabia African-American Theatre Ensemble celebrated their 35th year performing on the stage.
Members of the group celebrated their history during the opening of Tabia’s 35th Anniversary Exhibition at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library Saturday.
Breaking the silence on the fifth floor, performers from Tabia sang and danced to the rhythm of West African “dundun” drums.
Multiple speakers explained the importance of theater and its role in the portrayal of the Black experience.
Duane Michael Cheers, associate professor of journalism at San Jose State, helped put the exhibit together.
Cheers, who works with Tabia, lamented the fact that Black students have almost no presence in the theatrical arts in SJSU.
“We must document our history, because if we don’t, who will?” said Cheers.
Cheers also emphasized the need to support Black theater at SJSU as well as a need for more tenured Black professors, especially after Theatre Arts professor Buddy Butler retired.
Viera Whye, artistic director of Tabia, spoke on the importance of theater to the Black community. It is not only a form of entertainment, but a consciousness-raising exercise, she said.
“When you study theater, when you study acting, you’re really studying people and learning skills to listen and relate to people,” Whye said.
She explained that theater can be useful outside the stage and help people understand more about communication.
“You’re really learning disciplines that will help you through whatever career choice you choose to go through,” Whye said. “Like learning to speak and use your voice and articulate, so if you come see our story.”
Tabia has done shows addressing topics like social justice and HIV/AIDS with an aim to educate as well as entertain, pointing out that theater is also a form of communication.
Whye also said that Tabia’s history is not just a history of Black theater, but a history of theater in general including Hispanic, Asian and white theater as well.
Guest speakers included actor Hawkins Byrd, known for his role as Bailiff Byrd on the television show “Judge Judy,” and Barry Shabaka Henley.
Hawkins Byrd, counter to his taciturn bailiff act on “Judge Judy,” brought raucous laughter to the crowd with his comedic stylings and was almost a show unto himself.
He also advocated for live theater to be showcased on television.
The exhibit was organized by librarian Kathryn Blackmer Reyes and is one of a yearly series of cultural heritage month events that include a Mexican-American and Asian-American heritage months.
These events are not funded by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library and are often furnished out of pocket by contributors like Whye, who provided photos of Tabia performances from her personal collection.
Open until Feb. 29, the exhibit is a showcase of props and other artifacts as well as photos and written excerpts from Tabia history and the history of live theater in San Jose, with a focus on people of color.
The Tabia ensemble showcased its history at SJSU, where it has roots to the Black Theater Workshop from the ‘70s.
SJSU alumni have been and continue to be important members to Tabia and Butler is a founding member of the organization.
