Irene Colbert Edmonds
Drama, Creative Drama, Director, Educator, University Professor, Playwright, Facilitor, Youth Theatre, Theatre Founder
1908-1968
Years:
Affiliations:
FAMU (FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL UNIVERSITY, Dillard University
Florida, Maryland, Baltimore, New Orleans
Locations:
Connections:
Winifred Ward, Lillian Voorhees, Venezella Jones
Irene C. Edmonds (1908-1968) was an assistant professor of humanities, speech and drama at FAMU (1948—1968). Edmonds was one of the early pioneers in educational children’s theatre and worked in that arena for 28 years. She established the first children’s theatre in any Historically Black College or University at Dillard University in 1935 where it flourished under her direction for twelve (12) years. She organized and directed the FAMU Creative Children’s Theatre (1948-1960) which grew to great prominence. Her work with the FAMU Playmakers Verse Choir also received wide national acclaim.
In honor of Mrs. Edmonds' pioneering work in children's theatre at FAMU, Dr. Matthews has reinstated the children’s theatre and named the organization the Irene C. Edmonds Youth Theatre. Dr. Matthews wrote an extensive dissertation on Irene Colbert Edmonds, which can be found here.
Edmonds defined creative dramatics as a "type of dramatic activity which is informal in nature and which is created by the children themselves. The dialogue and action are improvised extemporaneously by the players rather than written and memorized" ("An Experiment in Creative Dramatics." Encore (1946): 24-27.)
In April, 1960 Winifred Ward was the guest lecturer at FAMU for the the Children's Theatre Week celebration. ("IRENE OLIVIA COLBERT EDMONDS:HER HISTORIC TENURE ATFLORIDA AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL UNIVERSITY/ 1947-1968", Velencia Matthews.)
Irene's husband, Randolph Edmonds, also worked in theatre, University leadership, wrote articles, and also wrote plays (including children's theatre). His work will be a focus of a future listing.
