{"id":34,"date":"2021-03-05T15:19:22","date_gmt":"2021-03-05T15:19:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theprpac.org\/syr\/about\/"},"modified":"2025-11-21T16:50:25","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T16:50:25","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/theprpac.org\/syr\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n

About Us<\/h2>

<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

Our History
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1982, with opportunities for African-American actors,\ndancers, singers, writers, directors, technicians, and audiences lacking in\nSyracuse, William H. Rowland II and Roy E. Delemos founded The Paul Robeson\nPerforming Arts Company Inc. (PRPAC) to enhance the life of the community with\nthe richness and variety of African-American culture. They named it in honor of\nPaul Robeson (1898-1976), the multi-talented performer and activist whose\npassion for excellence on the stage, screen, in musical concert, and social\njustice in society embodied what they hoped to accomplish.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n <\/span>\n\n<\/span>

The first production, \u201cAn Afro-American Christmas Carol,\u201d\nwritten by Rowland and Sandy Smokes, and directed by Rowland, opened in\nDecember 1982. A residency at the Landmark Theatre began in 1985, allowing\nPRPAC to present many Broadway-level productions on the main stage, including\n\u201cA Tribute to Motown,\u201d \u201cBubbling Brown Sugar,\u201d \u201cAin\u2019t Misbehavin\u2019,\u201d \u201cPurlie\u201d,\n\u201cTambourines to Glory,\u201d \u201cA Raisin in the Sun,\u201d and a multicultural \u201cGodspell\u201d\ncast with a black Jesus. <\/span> <\/span> <\/span>
<\/span><\/p>

<\/span><\/span><\/span>

<\/span><\/p><\/span>\n<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span>

In the late 80\u2019s, when black students protested \nlimited opportunities and lack of support, PRPAC was brought into Syracuse \nUniversity\u2019s African American Studies Department as a community outreach \ncomponent. In Rowland\u2019s first year, he taught a course in black theatre, a \nperformance of \u201cWhat\u2019s Goin\u2019 On?\u201d was presented at the Schine Student Center, \nand playwright Marshall Williams came to Syracuse to develop and present his \nplay \u201cA Tear for Judas\u201d with Rowland\u2019s class. PRPAC\u2019s musical theater \nproductions, including \u201cThe Wiz,\u201d \u201cFrom the Cotton Club to Motown\u201d and \u201cWhat\u2019s \nGoing On\u2014The Musical Genius of Marvin Gaye,\u201d were the company\u2019s most visible \nworks.<\/font><\/span>   <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/font><\/span><\/p>\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/font> \n<\/span>

The SU partnership lasted until 2010, after which an \nall-volunteer board committed to keeping alive the mission of giving voice to \nAfrican-American culture through performances and related activity. As the only \ncompany dedicated to Black theater in Syracuse, New York, the aid of small \ngrants, donations, partnerships, community groups, local artists <\/span>and independent \nproducers\/directors, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>PRPAC maintained its presence in the \ncommunity with annual productions and events.<\/span> \n<\/font><\/font><\/span><\/span><\/font><\/p>

<\/span><\/font><\/span><\/font><\/p>

<\/div><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\nour Story
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Founded in 1982, The Paul Robeson Performing Arts Company,\nInc. is a non-profit, tax deductible 501(c)3 that provides the Central New York\ncommunity with high quality theater performances that come out of the African\nAmerican Tradition. Actors, dancers, singers, writers, musicians, directors,\nand theater technicians (of all ethnic backgrounds and performance levels) are\ninvited to develop their skills in the performing arts. In doing so, the\nrichness and diversity of the African American Tradition is celebrated.
<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/span>

To offer multicultural\nexperiences that <\/span>enrich the diversity of the African American tradition by\ndeveloping artists, of all ethnic cultures, and bring high quality theater\nperformances to the Central New York community that educate, create dialogue\nand ignite change.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n <\/span>\n\n

PRPAC\u2019s purposes are\nto serve as an artistic and cultural outlet for the community of Black,\nIndigenous <\/span>[and]<\/span> People of Color\n(BIPOC); and to\n<\/span><\/strong>give each group an opportunity to display their skills and talents in an\natmosphere of mutual respect.<\/span><\/span><\/p> <\/span>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The PRPAC stands on the shoulders of this outspoken humanitarian<\/span> and performer.
<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

Paul Robeson<\/h4>\n

\"\" Exceptional athlete, actor, singer, cultural scholar, author, and political activist.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>

\"\"<\/span><\/span>1920s and 1930s, widely acclaimed actor and one of the most popular concert singers of his time.
<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>

\"\"<\/span>One of the first Black actors to play serious roles in the primarily white American theater.
<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>

\"\"<\/span>His “Othello” was the longest-running Shakespeare play in Broadway history, nearly three hundred performances.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\"\"Equally\n well-loved internationally, spoke fifteen languages, performed benefits\n throughout the world for causes of social justice.
<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\"\"His outspoken beliefs made him enemies among those trying to maintain the status quo.
<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>

\"\"Every attempt was made to silence and discredit him, in 1950 his passport was revoked.
<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>

\"\"He could no longer travel abroad to perform, which was devastating to his career.
<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\"\"<\/span>His accomplishments remain obscured by  the vicious, relentless propaganda.
<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>

\"\"He believed the famous have a responsibility to fight for justice and peace.<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

pRPAC Board of Directors 2021
<\/p>\nPRPAC is re-organizing and re-energizing\u2026and we want YOU to join us. \nConsider becoming a member of the board, a volunteer, a donor, a contributing artist or technician\n
\n\n\n\n\n

QUICK FACTS:
<\/p>

– 100 Black Men of Syracuse, Inc. – Health and Wellness Committee Chair<\/p>

– Pan African Community of Central New York – President<\/p>

– Pan African Congress North American Delegation – Member<\/p>

– United States Peace Corps – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia<\/p>

– Rainbow PUSH Coalition – Co-President<\/p>

– Syracuse Common Council 4th District Councilor<\/p>

– Syracuse City School District Attendance Teacher<\/p>

– Urban League of Onondaga County Education Director<\/p>
<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/span>

“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”  Isaiah 40:31<\/strong><\/span>
<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

QUICK FACTS:<\/p>

– Freelancer Writer and Editor.<\/p>

– Syracuse Stage.<\/p>

– Meals on Wheels of Syracuse.<\/p>

– Friends of the Onondaga Free Library.<\/p>

– Plymouth Congregational Church Trustees.<\/p>

  – Syracuse Herald-Journal and The Post-Standard, former editor.<\/p>
<\/strong><\/em><\/span>

\u201cGoodness without knowledge is weak and feeble, yet knowledge without goodness is dangerous, and that both united form the noblest character.”<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

QUICK FACTS:<\/p>

– Bethany Baptist Church.<\/p>

– Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority, Inc.<\/p>

– NCNW.<\/p>

– Onondaga Votes.<\/p>

– Retired Teachers Council.<\/p>

– Silhouettes, Auxillary of Kappa Alpha Psi.<\/p>

– CNY Poor People’s Campaign.<\/p>

– ASRS – Advanced Students Resources Systems.<\/p>


<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>

“I am not lucky, I am blessed!!”<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

QUICK FACTS:
<\/p>

– Mom of Twins.<\/p>

– Syracuse University Music Theatre Graduate.<\/p>

– Former Community Theatre Performer, Current Community Theatre Supporter.<\/p>

– Supervising Judge of Syracuse City Court.<\/p>

– Proponent for Change, Diversity and Inclusion in All Walks of Life.<\/p>
<\/em><\/strong><\/span>

\u201cIf you don\u2019t like something, change it. If you can\u2019t change it, change your attitude.\u201d  – Maya Angelou.
<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/strong>
<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

QUICK FACTS:<\/p>

– Native New Yorker\/Brooklyn.<\/p>

– Married a King.<\/p>

– TV\/Radio Producer & Broadcaster\u2026 \u201cOpen Line\u201d & \u201cTeen Talk.”<\/p>

– Broadcast Journalism Professor.<\/p>

– Consultant.<\/p>

– Actress\/Singer, Motivational Speaker.<\/p>

– Cornell, SUNY Oswego, Onondaga Community College Alum.<\/p>
<\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/span>

\u201cLet your light shine and Always give back!”<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

QUICK FACTS:<\/p>

– Native Syracusan.<\/p>

– HBCU Graduate.<\/p>

– Hopps Memorial CME Church
<\/p>

– State Health and Community Advocate.<\/p>

– Youth Mentor.<\/p>

– Avid Reader, Beloved Sister and Aunt.<\/p>

– Grounded in Inclusion.<\/p>


<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>

\u201cEvery good day is a choice, and I choose nothing but good days!”<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-34","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/theprpac.org\/syr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/34","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/theprpac.org\/syr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/theprpac.org\/syr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/theprpac.org\/syr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"http:\/\/theprpac.org\/syr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/34\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":531,"href":"http:\/\/theprpac.org\/syr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/34\/revisions\/531"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/theprpac.org\/syr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}