eta Creative Arts

INSTRUCTOR BIOS

RUNAKO JAHI - eta Creative Arts Foundation's Artistic Director is an award-winning director, playwright and actor who has appeared in numerous productions throughout the Midwest, in addition to the New Federal Theater in New York. He is the 1990 recipient of the President's Award from the Boulevard Arts Center; the African American Achievement Award from Columbia College; the Paul Robeson Award from the African American Arts Alliance of Chicago, a Monarch Award recipient for The Arts during its Tribute To Black Men last November, and the recipient of the 2004 Merit Award (for years of contributions to Theater) from The Black Theater Alliance Awards. Mr. Jahi has written several popular plays for youth, including: "A Place To Be Me," "The Positive Evolution of Bongo Baker," "The Reading Machine On Sunnyside Lane," "Kasimu & the Coconut Palm," "Ama & The Magic Toy Box," "Song & Dance: A Celebration of Soul Music From The 60'S To Today" and "What Shall I Tell My Children? The Life of

Dr. Margaret Burroughs."

OKORO HAROLD JOHNSON is co-founder of eta Creative Arts Foundation. His film credits include "The Spook Who Sat By The Door", "A Raisin In The Sun", and "A Wedding." Mr. Johnson directed the classic, "Bird of the Iron Feather," an African American soap opera and has directed over thirty major adult productions. He wrote and directed a number of productions including "Strange Fruit: The Billie Holiday Story," and "The Regal Theatre." He also appeared in New York where he was cast as understudy for the role of Frank Cooper in the Broadway production of "Checkmates" which premiered at eta Creative Arts Foundation in its 1986-87 Season. Other works include "Second Coming-Last Chance" and "Don't Get Around Much Anymore."

GERALDINE (GERI) WILLIAMS is a Dunham Technique Instructor presently employed with the Chicago Board of Education. During the time she received her academic education, she was also studying Dunham Technique under Master Instructor, Lucille Ellis. Ms. Williams has also studied with Tommy Gomez and Wilbert Bradley. She has attended an intense three-week Dunham seminar in St. Louis for a number of years. Ms. Williams' award-nominated choreography has been seen in the eta productions of "Why Black Men Play Basketball" and "Eyes" (musical adaptation of Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God), as well in several youth-oriented productions.

THEOPHILUS REED is a resourceful creative teacher with several years of experience. He is competent in vocal training and knowledgeable in piano/keyboard technique for beginning and intermediate students. He has served as a musical director for several eta mainstage and Showfolk productions.

DARRYL GOODMAN has been with eta since 1971 and also works as Technical Director of Chicago State University. Mr. Goodman has worked on numerous seasons of productions for eta's Mainstage, Showfolk, tours and special events. His other credits include technical services for Oscar Brown, Jr., The Count Basie Orchestra, Monty Alexander, Piney Woods Gospel Choir, Avery Brooks (Star Trek: The Next Generation), Jim Moody (New York Undercover), Stanley Turrentine and Bernie Mac. Mr. Goodman is the Black Theater Alliance Awards 1995 and 1996 recipient of the Best Lighting Design award for eta's productions of Stoops and The Temple (also a double nominee for his Sound And Lighting design for Anchorman). Mr. Goodman was awarded a Certificate of Accomplishment in Media Arts for Best Documentary, My Community: Pullman District, March 2002, produced by African American TV & Filmmakers (whose Founder/President, Ms. Pattie Thomas, is a former alumnus and theater technician for eta Creative Arts Foundation).

USENI EUGENE PERKINS is former Director of Chicago State University’s Family Life Center that administers violence prevention programs to Black and Hispanic youth and their families. Mr. Perkins also is nationally recognized for his writings and work with youth. Lerone Bennettt, Jr. cited his book, Home Is A Dirty Street: The Social Oppression of Black Children, as “…one of the most important books on the sociology of the streets since the publication of Black Metropolis.” Other notable books by Mr. Perkins include: Harvesting New Generations: The Positive Development of Black Youth and Explosion of Chicago’s Black Street Gangs: 1970 To Present. Mr. Perkins also was editor and publisher of Black Child Journal and editor of Successful Black Parenting Magazine. A prominent playwright and poet, his articles have been published in many professional journals. Noted for his children’s plays, Mr. Perkins’ classic, The Black Fairy, has been performed all over the country. Another play, Young John Henry, has also been a mainstay for young audiences. Both plays have been published by the Third World Press. Mr. Perkins’ poem, Hey Black Child, has been widely distributed in poster form for schools and social service agencies. He also is the recipient of many awards, including a fellowship from the Chicago Community Trust. Mr. Perkins has served as Director of the Better Boys Foundation Family Center, President of the Portland Urban League and Interim President of the DuSable Museum of African American History. He also is the President of the Association for the Positive Development of Black Youth and holds an M.S. Degree in Group Work Administration from George Williams College.