“We feel very fortunate to have Rudy Roberson on our faculty,” said Betty Farmer, head of the communication and theatre arts department. “He brings considerable expertise to several important and developing areas in the communication and theatre arts department—such as musical theatre, the Black Theatre Ensemble and dance—and he also is teaching our liberal studies courses in communication and theatre.”
Roberson has received critical acclaim for his previous work in Robert Hart Baker’s production of “Parade,” and earned The Dallas Theater Critic Forum Award in 1995 for his role as Roscoe in “Avenue X.” He has recently performed at the Soco Moon Teahouse in Waynesville, where he sang and played the guitar and keyboard. Roberson will continue to act in local and regional theatre productions.
Roberson earned a bachelor’s degree from The Boston Conservatory in 1977. He earned a master’s of fine arts degree from Rutgers University in New Jersey in 1988.
Roberson recently made his directorial debut at WCU with the production of “The Colored Museum.” The show focused on a series of theatrical exhibits satirizing black stereotypes.
“Working on the show has been quite a ride, blending theatre and academia,” said Roberson. “Sometimes you wonder who’s doing the teaching and who’s doing the learning. I think we have all benefited in some way, and that was quite apparent, given all the work and the performances.”
For more information on Rudy Roberson or the Black Theatre Ensemble, contact the communication and theatre arts department at (828) 227-7491.
