GOALS 

1. To make public for the first time a comprehensive digitized snapshot of the hidden history and evolution of theatrical production for the Howard Players spanning more than 100 years. 

2. To document the challenges and accomplishments found in the genealogy of Black Theatre viewed through the lens of Black collegiate theatre. 

3. To create a publicly accessible, freely available data visualization and exploration website that chronicles and documents the Howard Players collegiate theatrical production from 1909-2019.

4. To make accessible Black Theatre research for both public and professional exploration. 

OBJECTIVES

1. Support the study, examination and interrogation of diverse research and pedagogical opportunities for scholars and educators.

2. Share insight to the history of African American educational theatrical practices over the span of 100+ years, Black pedagogical practices and contributions to theatre history, and the creative practice of both popular and lesser-known African American scholars, theatre makers and practitioners.

3. Stimulate interest in interdisciplinary research engagement in the fields of - Theatre (Dramaturgy, Performance/Theatre Studies, Dramatic Criticism, History, Analysis), English (Dramatic Literature & Criticism), Art (Fashion/Costume Design, Graphic Design) and History (Public History).

NEXT STEPS 

1. Complete the upload of Howard Players theatrical production chronology and documentation from 1929-1909. 

2. The project seeks to update the current website into a data visualization and exploration platform, and create a data package that will be even more accessible to digital humanities researchers using the Omeka S open access platform. 

WHY IS THIS RESEARCH IMPORTANT?

There are six primary reasons this research holds importance and value:

1. Because lesser known culturally specific performance/production histories are apt to be excluded from the digital archive field

2. To record past endeavors for current and future interrogation.

3. To document the Howard Player's contribution to Washington DC and national arts and culture through theatrical production.

4. To document lesser known and less produced Black plays and musicals.

5. To elevate Black academic theatre's contribution to the history of American theatre in higher education.

6. To broaden the body of academic and Black centric theatrical production research making it accessible to theatre and humanities scholars researching and writing about Black theatre from the early 1900’s forward.