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A dream had come true- we were at the 2006 Tony Awards!! At this time, I honestly cannot decipher if it was actually a surprise graduation present for our daughter, Vergia Siovhan, or something that I've wanted to do for years. But who cared, we amazingly were there-the Tony Awards! The excitement had built from the moment the thought to go crossed my mind. From the moment we got out of the NYC yellow cab in front of the Radio City Music Hall the energy in the air was awesome and grew by the moment!. It was wonderful-everyone we met was full of Musical stories and star sightings. Whether it was standing in line in front of the theatre to the women seating next to me were bubbling with excitement- WE WERE AT THE TONY AWARDS!! Not to mention, The Color Purple was up for 11 Tony Awards that night- ultimately, they only won one of these for best leading actress in a musical- LaChanze was excellent and this was one of the highlights of the evening!! But it did not surprise me that once I got over the excitement of being there, settled comfortably in my seat and had studied every inch of the well designed and spectacular stage, something was missing? I looked to my left, then to my right, turned around and looked behind me and then stood up and leaned over to look to the orchestra seating on the floor (yes we were in the second level of the Mezz). But to my surprise and regardless of the fact that the theater was packed with people, folks of color were did not represent. Yes, Oprah and Gail were there. Alfrie was there too- her and Gail actually had on the same dress. I am certain Felicia Rashad was there, but we did not see her. Later, the cast of the Color Purple wonderfully performed on stage. But where were the regular folks of color in the audience like us? After I studied this fact, I concluded that I was on the right track with my passion to expose more folks of color to Broadway Musicals & other cultural events.
Now let's fast forward to this past Friday (JUNE 24, 2006) at the Renaissance hotel. This was the place where the 2006 African American Council of the Arts (AACTA) Onyx Awards were held. This event celebrates the richness of talent that Pittsburgh minorities demonstrate throughout the year in their artistic productions. This was my first year attending this event. Kudos to Victoria Thompson Bey, founder C.E. O & president of AACTA. Conceptually, what a lovely event! As an event planner, all the details were studied down to the thoughtful gift of the miniature manicure set given to each guest. Never attending this event, I was not certain how all would take place, but with great anticipation, embraced the entire experience. Once the vision for the evening started to unfold to me, my analytical nature begin to process the event. Once again, I looked to the left, then to the right and begin to size the crowd up for a better understanding. Some questions begin to formulate such as: Why weren't some of the award winners present? Why wasn't there more family members and friends present to show their support for the winners and the event as a whole? Where was the support of the theatre district as a whole? The Onyx Awards were held in the heart of cultural district, but where were they? Again the same question that I asked just a few weeks earlier at the Tony Awards came to mind-WHERE WERE WE??? As my husband and I completed our meal that ended with a delicious slice of cheesecake for me and an apple caramel pie for hubby, we laughed with our table guest whom included the enlightened educator: Mrs. Burley and her other retired educator friends. A conclusion made about this evening was if we cannot even support our own local cultural awards in a big way, how will we be present and support the major national awards, such as the Tony's and the Academy Awards. Enough said about this- my point has been made. From the mind set of : if you cannot be a part of the solution, then you are a part of the problem, I commend, Victoria Bey, her committee and board members for making a creative difference in the Arts. Be encouraged and continue to 'Transcend the differences thru the Arts' with this, future planned programs and events.
The 2005- 2006 Third Annual Onyx Award winners are as follows:
Best Production of a Play:
Kuntu Repertory Theatre
Best Ensemble in a Play:
American Menu- New Horizon Theatre
Best Lighting Design in a Play:
Jason Peroney- Little Willie Armstrong Jones
Best Direction of a Play:
Ernest McCarty- Purlie Victorious
Best Direction of a Musical:
Dr. Vernell Lillie – Mahalia Jackson: Standing on Holy Ground
Best Sound Design In a Play:
Wayne Gaines- Seven Guitars
Best Costume Design in a Play:
Michelle Leway – Legend of a Black Mariner
Best Set Design of a Play:
Kenny Ellis/Diane Melchitzky- Seven Guitars
Best Lighting Design In a Musical:
Eric Smith – Christmas is Comin' Uptown
Best Costume Design in a Musical:
Oronde Sharif – Black Nativity
Best Set Design in a Musical:
Kenneth Ellis/Richard Jackson – Mahalia Jackson
Best Sound in a Musical:
Black Nativity – Shona Sharif African Dance Ensemble
Best Leading Actress In A Play:
Kimberly Ginyard – Seven Guitars
Best Supporting Actress in a Play:
Mayme Williams – Legend of the Black Mariner
Best Leading Actresses in a Musical:
Teri Bridgett – Mahalia Jackson
Best Supporting Actress in A Musical:
Genna Styles – Mahalia Jackson
Best Leading Actor in a Play:
Wali Jamal – Purlie victorious
Best Supporting Actor in A Play:
Nathan James – Little Willie Armstrong Jones
Best leading Actor in A Musical:
Kevin Brown – Christmas is Comin' Uptown
Best Equity Actor in a Play:
Ben Cain – Little Willie Armstrong
Best Minority Actor:
Jerry Wienand – Purlie Victorious
Best Minority Actress:
Barbara Russell – Hoodwinked
Best Up and Coming Youth Actor:
Roger Randolph – Christmas is Comin' Uptown: Tiny Tim
Best Up and Coming Youth Actress:
Nia Arrington – Legend of the Black Mariner | 
