 |
|
|
|
Brief Bio
Charles Dumas is a professor in the School of Theatre at Penn State University. Formerly he was the Director of the Acting in Media program at Temple University and associate professor in PSU's Department of African and African-American Studies. He was a Fulbright Fellow at The University of Stellenbosch. Dumas is a professional actor, director and writer and the artistic director and co-founder (1986) of The Loaves and Fish Traveling Rep Company. Most recently Dumas could be seen as Colin Powell in Seattle ACT's Stuff Happens,as Polonius in PA. Shakespeare's Hamlet. and Troy in Center Stage's Fences. Dumas has directed many of August Wilson's plays including Fences at Pa. Stage, Seven Guitars for Kuntu Rep.Ma Rainey's Black Bottom for Temple Theatre, and Joe Turner Has Come And Gone for the Wilson Festival. Dumas' 9/11 A Day in The Life of A People was chosen for the Philadelphia Fringe and performed at The National Constitution Center. His Wolf By The Ears was one of the five finalist as the best play written by an African-American. Dumas is a past receipient of A Pennsylvania Council of the Arts Playwriting grant and multiple AUDELCO nominee. He was chosen best lead actor by the Beverly Hills/ Hollywood NAACP for his portrayal of MUSA in B.C. Historia. He has had recurring roles on ED, 100 Centre Street, Law and Order, Homefront. He also writes a bimonthly column for the CDT called UNDER THE BAOBOB. He was recently appointed senior professor at The University of The Free State in The Republic of South Africa.
If you are interested in courses I teach.
AFRICAN FILM STUDIES AAAS 497C/COMM452.2 Co-taught with Dr. J. Ann Dumas of the College of Communications. This course explores African social and political realities through the medium of African film. It is usually offered in the Spring semester.
THEATRE WORKSHOP IN DIVERSE CULTURES.AAAS 208/ THEA208 The course offers the theatre major and nonmajor an opportunity to explore other cultures through theatre. It is primarily a performance course and culminates with public performances. Suggested prerquisites are: a basic acting course, a basic diversity course. It is primarily offered in the Fall
THE LIFE AND WORK OF AUGUST WILSON, THEA 497D, A seminar on the works of August Wilson. An examination of his decade series, a group of ten plays dedicated to each decade of the 20th Century. The seminar will also take advantage of any visiting any August Wislon plays being performed in the area. The class usually has a field trip to Wilson's home and burial site in Pittsburgh. Suggested preliminary courses are: African-American Drama Thea/AAS 412. Usually offered in the Fall
ACTING FOR THE CAMERA, THEATRE 497 E A workshop which trains actors in camera acting techniques including commercials, PSAs, film, industrials, sitcoms, weather and news, dramatic presentations. This is a course for those who have already had some acting training or experience. IT IS NOT FOR BEGINNING ACTORS. Permission of the instructor is required. Usually taught in the Fall.
AFRICAN-AMERICAN THEATRE, THEATRE 412/ AAAS 412 A literature seminar focusing on the history of African-American drama from slavery times until the present
OTHER CLASSES I HAVE TAUGHT INCLUDE; Acting 1,2,3; Playwriting; Directing, African-American Film; The Life and Work of Martin Luther King; Feature Film practicum, Intro to acting for nonmajors.
C.V.
ACADEMIC WORK EXPERIENC
2008-present Tenured professor, Penn State University, School of Theatre
CLASSES TAUGHT: Acting for the Camera, Diverse Culture Workshop, African Film, Life and Work of August Wilson, African-American Theatre2006- 08 Director, Acting in Media Program, Temple University, School of Communications and Theatre.
CLASSES TAUGHT: Acting, Acting for The Camera, The Life and Work of August Wilson
COMMITTEES: Executive, National and International Visibility, Recruitment, Grievance
SHOWS DIRECTED: POETIC LIFE (PhiladelphiaYoung Playwrights) MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM, 9/11 A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A PEOPLE, THURGOOD MARSHALL,DARKER FACE OF EARTH
2002-03 Fulbright Professor in Drama,Stellenbosch University, Drama Department, Republic of South Africa,CLASSES TAUGHT: Senior Acting, Film and TV Acting, Theatre for Development, Senior Thesis Project
SHOWS DIRECTED: THE KENTUCKY CYCLE, WOLF BY THE EARS, ANCESTOR STORIESA
2001-04 Associate professor, PSU, Department of African-American Studies,
CLASSES TAUGHT: African-American film, Africa as Seen Through the Perspective of Film, African Roots of African and Diasporic Drama, Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement
1995-06 Associate professor, Penn State University, School of Theatre,
CLASSES TAUGHT: Acting 1,2,3; Playwriting, Acting for the Camera, African-American Performance Technique. African-American Drama, Theatre Workshop in Diverse Cultures, Practicum in Feature Film Production
SHOWS DIRECTED: RAISIN IN THE SUN, THE PIANO LESSON, COLORED MUSEUM, FENCES, THE MEETING, GOD’S TROMBONES, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND1982- 86 Lecturer, State University of New York, New School for Social Research, Adelphi University
Classes taught: Constitutional Law, Blacks and The Law, Case Studies in Criminal Law, Art and Society, Graduate Seminar in Urban Affairs
OTHER RELATED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
1995-2008 Artistic Director, Loaves and Fish Theatre Company.
2009 –present Special correspondent, Center Daily Times, bi-monthly columnUnder The Baobob, cultural and social observations
2008- present Barrymore Voter, Philadelphia Theatre Alliance
1999-01 Arts and Entertainment Editor. VOICES OF CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA
1997-01 Reader, evaluator, Theatre section, Pennsylvania Council on The Arts
OTHER NONRELATED EXPERIENCE
President, Mid Hudson Legal Services, (MHLS) Managed legal services operation for six upstate New York Counties, supported three class action law suits before the U.S. Supreme CourtAttorney, IBM Corporation, assisted in SEC filings for stock splits, debt offerings, corporate acquisitions. Preliminary legal investigation of the Company’s position in South Africa. Assisted at annual meetings, wrote and filed responses to shareholder resolutionsLegal research assistant, United Nations, New York; assisted in drafting Code of Conduct for Multinational Corporations, help draft report on multinationals in South AfricaParalegal MHLS , field operator for farmworker legal services Case worker assistant, Congressman Charles Rangel,,D.C.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Yale Law School, Juris Doctorate, Earl Warren Legal Scholar –NAACP Legal Defense Fund; Bakke Amicus Brief Project, prisoners legal defense fund, Anti-Apartheid Committee, Community Equal Housing Project
State University of New York at New Paltz BA Degree, magna cum laude, major: political science, minor: Black Studies; model UN, debate team, political science club.
Dutchess Community College, AA Degree, liberal arts with a concentration in theatre
Dean’s list, commencement speaker
American Film Institute, graduate program in film and screenwriting
New School for Social Research, Department of Urban Affairs and Policy Analysis, Kaplan Fellow in Urban Policy, graduate assistant
Hunter College, Graduate studies in theatre
Writers Guild of America, Sitcom East, Concentrated project in sitcom writing
The Shakespeare Company of Washington DC – Minority professional workshop in classical drama
SELECTED AWARDS AND HONORS
Fulbright Scholar, Teaching and research Republic of South Africa (02-03)
Special United States Delegate to the Conference on Sustainability
Special delegate to the Namibia Conference on Film Development
Special Delegate to Sithengi, First RSA film conference
Special State Department envoy to the University of Mozambique
Earl Warren Fellow, Yale Law School
Hendler Fellow, AFI
Kaplan Fellow, New School for Social Research
Alumni of the Year New Paltz College,
Alumni of the Year Dutchess Community College,
Pennsylvania Council of the Arts, Playwriting Fellow - SURFACING
New York State Theatre Award RETURN TO THE RIVER,
Hollywood/Beverly Hills NAACP Best Actor of the Year (B.C. Historia)
New York Film and TV Awards Finalist (UP FROM SLAVERY),
Four time AUDELCO nominee for acting and writing: RETURN TO THE RIVER, ANNA, BOOGIE WOOGIE AND BOOKER T., CAST ME DOWN. Winner David Award (2010) for the Best play celebrating socail activism (9/11 A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A PEOPLE)
REPRESENTATIVE ROLES IN PROFESSIONALTHEATRE
NYC
THE SHADOW BOX Joe Circle in The Square
In this Broadway revival of the Pulitzer Prize winning play I started as the understudy for both Joe and The Interviewer. I went on in both roles.
REVENGE OF A KING, Uncle NYC Fringe
This was the NYC premiere of an original hip-hop play
DARKER FACE OF EARTH Hector NBT
The New York premiere of the Rita Dove play directed by Tony Award winner Trazana Beverly
AS YOU LIKE IT Jacques ATA
TITUS ANDRONICUS Aaron Riverside Shakespe
ANTHONY AND CLEOPATRA Soothsayer, etc. Shakespeare Co., DC
DISTRICTLINE Doc Negro Ensemble Co.
I was an early member of the NEC. The original play written by Pulitzer prize winning Joe Walker was directed by Doug Ward
BURNERS FROLIC Burner NEC
These four plays were originals by Charles Fuller (Soldier’s Play) were produced in NYC and then toured in Repertory throughout the countrySALLY Burner NEC
PRINCE Abe NEC
JONQUIL Soldier NEC
BOOGIE WOOGIE Booker T. New Federal Theatre
AUDELCO nomination best actor
AS YOU LIKE IT Jacques ATA
CAST ME DOWN Washington \CMD Productions
AUDELCO nomination best actor
TITUS ANDRONICUS Aaron Riverside Shakespeare
UP FROM SLAVERY B.T. Washington laf Theatre Company
RETURN TO THE RIVER Al Gilroy laf Theatre Company
REGIONAL
STUFF HAPPENS Colin Powell ACT,Seattle
WHOSE LIFE IS IT? Judge PA. Stage
HAMLET Polonius Penn Shakespeare Com.
DRIVING MISS DAISY Hoke Penn. Shakespeare
DEATH OF A SALESMAN Charlie Penn. Center Stage
SOUNDING THE RIVER Old Jim Mil. Rep. Company
Original play
FENCES Troy Pioneer Stage,
PA Center Stage
MASTER HAROLD... Sam McCarter, NJ Rep
A CHRISTMAS CAROL Christmas Present McCarter
I was a member of The McCarter Company
ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE Captain Horster McCarter
TALE OF TWO CITIES Citizen Moreau McCarter
THE MEETING Martin Luther King The Group Theatre
B.C. HISTORIA Musa LA Theatre Center
(Hollywood/Beverly Hills Best Actor Award)
PYGMALION Doolittle Arena Stage
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA Soothsayer,seller Shakes Co.(DC)
OTHELLO Othello Arena Rep
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Sir Toby Shakes Co. (DC-wkshp)
AMAZING GRACE Officer Jones Alliance Theatre
YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU Donald Theatre by The Sea
INTERNATIONAL
JOE TURNER HAS COME AND Seth Baxter Theatre (RSA)
AND GONE
MISS EVERS BOYS Dr. Brodus Barbican (London
Old Vic (Bristol)
YEARS OF STRUGGLE Various roles Edinborough Fringe
WOLF BY THE EARS Tom Grahamstown (RSA
)UP FROM SLAVERY Washington Amsterdam, Rotterdam
UNIVERSITY GUEST ARTIST
RAGTIME B.T. Washington Temple University
PSU
MY CHILDREN, MY AFRICA Professor Messiah College
THE ILLUSION Magician URTC
A CHRISTMAS CAROL various PSU
SELECTED PRINCIPLE ROLES IN FILM
Project Character Director
THE TESTED Pastor Stuart Russel Costanzo
WHERE GOD LEFT HIS SHOES Morris Salvatore Stabile
KNOCK “EM DEAD Rudy Jose Cruz
HARD TO GET Cabdriver Mat Montemorano
HALL MONITOR The principal Kevin Hartman
RED WATER Hank Ellis Charles Carner
DEEP IMPACT Jeff Worth Mimi Leder
COPLAND Cyril Johns James Mangold
PEACEMAKER Agent Barrigan Mimi Leder
DIE HARD III Agent Cross John McTiernan
JUMPING JACK FLASH Officer Thomas Penny Marshall
SEPARATE BUT EQUAL Bob Ming George Stevens Jr
A BETTER TOMORROW Det, Sanders John Woo
YING HUNG BOON SIK 2
SEERIE NOIRE Lumumba Caroline Huppert
THE SLOW FALL OF LIGHT
THROUGH TIME Lead Dorn Hetzel
Uncredited
IN AND OUT Court Marshall Officer Frank Oz
HELLO AGAIN Reporter Frank Perry
NEW JACK CITY Father of the Groom Mario Van Peebles
JUNGLE FEVER Crowd Spike Lee
STREETWALKIN’ Pimp Joan Freeman
ANGEL HEART Funeral pastor Alan Parker
FATAL ATRRACTION Night worker Adrian Lyne
OK CONNERY Arab sheik Alberto De Martino
THE COTTON CLUB Crowd Stan Latham
WALL STREET Airline worker
SELECTED PRINCIPLE ROLES IN TELEVISION
NEW AMSTERDAM Lionel
CONVICTION Judge Murray
ED Judge LaRue (re-occuring)
100 CENTRE STREET Sergeant Delmain (re-occuring)
LAW AND ORDER (C.I.) Chief Of Detectives
LAW AND ORDER Don Van Buren (re-occuring)
LAW AND ORDER McNelly
DEADLINE Officer
MATLOCK Judge Roy Marcus
JAKE AND THE FATMAN Rev Styles
HOMEFRONT Thomas
A MAN CALLED HAWK Col. Dessaline(re-occuring)
ALL MY CHILDREN Various Judges, doctors and lawyers
ANOTHER WORLD, ibid
AS THE WORLD TURNS, ibid
LOVING, ibid
ONE LIFE TO LIVE, ibid
EQUALIZER, Foreign minister Oman
MOLLY DODD Train conductor
SELECTED ON- CAMERA COMMERCIALS
American Express Scope
Ikea Coast rides
Wall Street Journal Accupril
Budweiser Con-ed
Miller Lite
Barbican Channel 5 News
AT & T
DC Rail
DIRECTING EXPERIENCE
SHOW COMPANY
Professional Fully Staged
9/11 A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A PEOPLE Philly Fringe
National Constitution Center
Capetown RSA
This play was first commissioned by the US Consulate General in Capetown South Africa. It has been produced every year on the anniversary of the attack on the WTC. In 07 it was invited to the National Constitution Center and in 09 it was part of the Philadelphia Fringe Festival.
SEVEN GUITARS Kuntu Rep, Pittsburgh
This was the first production of an August Wilson play in his Hometown of Philadelphia. It was produced by Dr. Lilly who had directed Wilson’s first play
FENCES Pennsylvania Center Stage
PA. Stage
I directed full productions of this play twice. The last production was part of the August Wilson festival and Conference. I played Troy as well as directed.
UNCLE TOMS CABIN Mint Theatre
I may have been the first African-American to direct a straight version of this melodrama in New York. The Times thought it was interesting
BROTHERS KEEPER Samuel Beckett
Walnut Street Workshop
WOLF BY THE EARS Grahamstown Int. Festival
This production at the Grahamstown International Festival in South Africa followed several workshop productions. It was favorably received by critics and audiences
I OUGHTA BE IN PICTURES PA. Stage
DIARY OF ANNE FRANK PA Stage
I directed three plays for Pennsylvania Stage. The main company in Allentown Pennsylvania
THEM THAT'S GOT John Houseman
An original play produced on Theatre Row in New York City
FAST BLOOD Ensemble StudioTheatre
An original piece for the Women’s section of Ensemble Studio Theatre
491 ST. MARKS PLACE Main Street Theatre
One of my plays showcased in New York
OTHELLO State College Shakespeare
ROMEO AND JULIET State College Shakespeare
MIDSUMMER’S NIGHT’S DREAM State College Shakespeare
In the past ten years I have directed three Shakespearian plays for SCS
SIZWE BANSI IS DEAD Loaves and Fish
I have directed several African plays but Sizwe is the only one that a fully supported professional production
A VISIT WITH MR. JUSTICE MARSHALL Yale Law School
Temple Law School
Academic Mainstage or fully produced
MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM Temple University
DARKER FACE OF EARTH Temple University
THE COLORED MUSEUM URTC-PSU
THE KENTUCKY CYCLE Stellenbosch –RSA
THE MEETING PSU
THE PIANO LESSON PSU
RAISIN IN THE SUN URTC
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND PSU
GOD'S TROMBONES PSU
WE ARE THE DREAM PSU
SHARING THE DREAM PSU
DICE OF BONE Next Stage
PLAYS WRITTEN AND PRODUCED
911, A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A PEOPLE – A presentational full length play based on the observations of twelve people who are directly affected by the attacks against the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Pennsylvania. Premiered on 9/11/2002 at a reading sponsored by the American Consulate General in Cape Town South Africa. Produced at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia in 07. Selected for the Philly Fringe in 08.
WOLF BY THE EARS - A full length, six character play based on the relationship between Sally Hemmings and Thomas Jefferson which takes place during a visit to Monticello by John Adams in 1811. A workshop production premiered at the Grahamstown International Arts Festival in South Africa in 2003. This play was one of the five finalist for the best play by an African-American playwright in 2004.
BROTHERS KEEPER - A full length, five character play about a African-American lawyer who defends his corporate gun manufacturing client against a wrongful death lawsuit brought by a working class mother whose son was killed. Showcase production premiered at the Samuel Beckett Theatre in 1997 featuring Penn State MFA graduates..
491 ST. MARKS- A full length, four character play, about three actresses being stalked by a serial killer. Showcase production premiered at Main Street Theatre in 1996 featuring Penn State MFA graduates.
FRANCIS, FOOL OF GOD- A full length play about the early life of Saint Francis of Assisi. Produced by LAF Company in residence at St. Peters College in Jersey City.
PIERRE TOUSSAINT – A full length musical about the Haitian holy man written in collaboration with Guy Davis. Commissioned by Rosetta Lenoire’s AMAS Rep.
AVISIT WITH MR. JUSTICE MARSHALL –Written to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Brown vs. Board of Education decision at the 25th reunion of the class 1979 Yale Law School also performed at Temple Law School.
MIRACLES - The book for a full length musical by Tony Award winning Charlie Smalls showcased at Sardis in New York about an urban youth who returns South.
SURFACING - A full length, seven character play about six activists reuniting after several years have passed. Produced by the American Folk Theatre in New York.
ANNA - Full length play about the disruption in a family caused by child abuse. Produced by Olac in New York. Nominated for AUDELCO Award
YEARS OF STRUGGLE, YEARS OF FREEDOM – A one act presentational piece written to commemorate the Bicentennial of the ratification of The Constitution. Presented at the Bicentennial Celebration in Philadelphia, Bushfire Theatre. Also presented at The Edinburgh Theatre Festival and toured to various high schools in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
UP FROM SLAVERY – A one man show based on the life of Booker T. Washington premiered at the Edinburgh Theatre Festival, toured schools in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, produced by the McCarter Theatre Company. The video of the production won several film festival awards.
I’LL HUFF AND I’LL PUFF - A full length theatrical thriller produced by the Royal Court Theatre in New York City
BARBI DON’T HAVE NAPPY HAIR – One act play about the child of a mixed marriage. Quaigh Lunchtime Theatre
LONG TIME NO SEE – One act play about the reunion of a two members of a high school basketball team. Quaigh Dramathon, St. Peters (NYC) Lunchtime Theatre,
ENCOUNTER WITH THE GODS –One act fantasy about a family of road creatures. Quaugh Theatre Dramathon.
PAUL ROBESON – A one act presentational piece about Robeson commissioned and produced by The New York State Parks and Recreations.
CUFFEE’S BURDEN – A one act, one person show about slavery in upstate New York commissioned and produced by New York Parks and Recreations.
WORKERS ON THE RAILS – A one act, one person performance piece about railroad workers commissioned and produced by New Jersey Parks and Recreation.
MOUNTAINS AND RIVERS – One act play about the dissolution of a marriage upon the death of a child. MSP Theatre Group
RETURN TO THE RIVER – Full length play examining the workings of a modern corporation. Productions: Riverside Church Theatre Group, Olac, MSP, Main Street Theatre, Negro Ensemble Company, New Federal Theatre (reading) Several AUDELCO nominations including best play
OTHER COMMISSIONED WORKS
James Weldon Johnson Awards, Schomburg Center for African-American Culture, NYC:
BLACK MANHATTAN – Adaptation of JWJ’s book about New York
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF AN EXCOLORED MAN – Adaptation of the JWJ novel.
ALONG THE WAY –Adaptation of JWJ autobiography
Martin Luther King Commemoratives, Penn State University
WE ARE THE DREAM
LIVING THE REALITY
VOICES OF FREEDOM
Other PSU special productions
Miss Penn State 1998 -2003
WE ARE… NOT QUITE PENN STATE
Women in Science and Engineering Workshop
Health and Human Services Workshops
Regional University Libraries Conference
Summer Encampment
Ebony and Ivory Multicultural Presentation
Voices of the Harlem Renaissance – Panhellenic Association
FILMS
THE GARDEN – 16mm, 29.5 minute narrative short about a holocaust survivor and an African-American history professor who overcome their animosity sharing a garden plot in New York City.
SURFACING –A full length narrative based on the NYC play shot on DVD.
CULTURAL CROSSING – Docudramas based on the workshop focusing on diversity
THREE FROM STELLENBOSCH – Three short films, modern retellings of TROJAN WOMEN, ROMEO AND JULIET, and THREE SISTERS set in South Africa