5/10/01

Janet L. McCoy

AU THEATRE FACULTY MEMBER WINS GOVERNOR'S ARTS AWARD

AUBURN -- Dyann Robinson, a faculty member in Auburn University's Department of Theatre, has been awarded one of four Governor's Arts Awards from the Alabama State Council on the Arts.

A professional dancer who performed on Broadway before returning to her Alabama roots, Robinson was honored with a 2001 Arts Award at the historic Davis Theatre in Montgomery.

Comedian and actor Fannie Flagg of Fairhope was given the Distinguished Artist Award and James Nelson, longtime executive director of the Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham, was the recipient of the Jonnie D. Little Lifetime Achievement Award.

Other Governor's Arts Awards recipients include Frederick Kimbrough of Gilbertown; Betty Huth Schonrock of Huntsville; and, Charles Stakely of Montgomery.

Robinson, who teaches dance in AU's Department of Theatre, has taught at AU since 1987. The associate professor has created five original full-length dance dramas for the department.

A Tuskegee native, Robinson returned to her birthplace following a successful Broadway dance career that included a position as assistant choreographer for the hit musical, "Bubbling Brown Sugar".

Her professional dance career included teaching and performing at the National Center for African-American Artists in Boston and at the Dance Theatre of Harlem in New York City.

Before joining AU, she has served as Director of Tuskegee's Department of Cultural Affairs and stage "Bubbling Brown Sugar" for the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.

Robinson is also the founder of the Tuskegee Repertory Theatre, Inc. School and Dance Company, and the Jessie Clinton Arts Centre, located in the city's old post office.

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CONTACT: Robinson, 334/844-4748; or Debra Williams, Arts Council, 334/242-4076, ext.223.