The Central Region Equal Employment Opportunity Committee (EEOC) presented the annual Spirit, A Celebration of Diversity reception on February 25, 2008. The event, which honored Actors of color and minority-focused Central Region theatres, was hosted by the Goodman Theatre.
With over 100 people in attendance, the participating theatres included: About Face Theatre, Black Ensemble Theatre, Chicago Dramatists, Collaboraction, Court Theatre, Congo Square Theatre Company, Detroit Repertory, Goodman Theatre, Hansberry-Sands, Mixed Blood, Penumbra, St. Louis Black Repertory Company, Silkroad Theatre Project, Teatro Vista, Unicorn Theatre, Urban Theatre Company and Victory Gardens.
EEO Committee co-chairs Cheryl Lynn Bruce and E. Faye Butler and member Ernest Perry Jr. presented the Spirit Recognition Award to longtime talent agents Elizabeth Geddes, Harrisse Davidson and Jacquelyn Conrad.
"The energy and joy that filled the Goodman balcony lobby was truly exhilarating," said Central Regional Director Kathryn V. Lamkey, "not to mention the fabulous food. Business Rep Luther Goins and the EEO Committee once again created an event that brought together our truly diverse theatre community. Mr. Goins, Ms. Bruce and Ms. Butler, as well as the other members of the Committee, are to be commended for their dedication to Actors of color, the theatre community as a whole and to Actors' Equity Association." An additional thanks goes to members Ariane Dolan (also a member of the Central Regional Board, who heads up the Central Member Education Committee) and Richard Strimer for providing member education materials for all who attended.
