User:Gswan3/Satori Theatre Company

Satori Theatre Company of Detroit.

Before there was “Fame,” there was Satori Theatre Company (1971-1977)!

Satori Theatre Company of Detroit, Michigan (Seeking a Theatre of Realistic Involvement) was founded in 1971 by Michael Dinwiddie and Kathryn Ervin. Students at Cass Technical High School and Mumford High School in Detroit, the premise for the company was youth theater for which teens would write, direct and produce performance for the local community. The Reverend Eugene McCornack, pastor of Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ located at 7301 Curtis Road in northwest Detroit allowed the group to use the church's stage located in its Fellowship Hall. Membership in the company was by formal audition. The first production, two original one-act plays, were first performed at the Church in July of 1971.

Membership in the company grew quickly with Satori becoming known as the "kid's theatre." Michael Dinwiddie and Kathryn Ervin served as the co-directors of the company from 1971 to 1974. George Swan III was appointed executive producer company in 1974 and director from 1975 to 1977.

In February, 1973, Satori Theatre Company was invited to participate in the Mort Furay Theatre Festival, a juried series of performances organized by the Detroit Metropolitan Theatre Association with sponsorship by the City of Detroit Parks and Recreation Department at the Detroit Institute of Arts Theater. The company featured “The First Day” as its selection in the competition.Detroit Free Press Critic John Weisman in an article dated Sunday, March 4, 1973 wrote, “ Each theatre—with one exception—performed out of its roots. Only the high school kid’s theatre, Satori, wrote a show that could be called universal in theme. …Only the youngest group present sensed whether by instinct or art is indeterminable—that theater is a universal, not a specialized experience. Of the eight awards presented at the conclusion of the competition, Satori earned three: the Hall Youngblood Award for playwriting (Michael Dinwiddie), Best Supporting Actress (Kathryn Ervin), and Best Supporting Actor (Taylor Segue III).

Earning recognition among the 20 community theatre companies competing in the event, the company was asked by Dr. Shirley Harbin (Director of Performing Arts for the City of Detroit Department of Parks and Recreation) in1973 to serve as one of four touring theatre companies for the Detroit Parks and Recreation Summerstock performances. Other touring theatre companies included the Magic Square Players, Silent Language Theatre, and the indian Myth Theatre scheduled for performances from June through early September in public parks and community centers across the city. The invitation was extended for an additional two years under contract with the Detroit Department of Parks and Recreation. Invitations for performances by Satori Theatre Company were received from a number of venues. These included the Cobo Convention Center Christmas Festival. The company performed at this annual event from 1972 through 1975. The company was featured on local television programs including the "Don Haney Show" (December 1972), the "Collage" program on WXYZ-TV 7 (local ABC affiliate), WGPR Channel TV-62, and special performances highlighted on WWJ (now WDIV) television. The company performed socio-dramas written for special events at Wayne State University in Detroit, the General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) in Flint, Michigan, and Kirwood Community College in Roscommon County, Michigan. Faith-based and community organizations requested performances and demonstrations by the “kids theatre.” The company toured public schools in southeast Michigan and statewide with emphasis on its “Black History” shows and socio-dramas focused on youth development issues.

Satori Theatre Company was unique for its time in its success as a youth organized and directed organization. Members of the company were asked to participate on the local host committee for the International Theatre Olympiad held in Detroit in July 1975. During the six years that Satori Theatre Company flourished, nearly 40 productions including full-length productions, musicals and one-acts were produced. Ninety-seven persons were accepted into full-membership into the company. While the impetus for the company was a theater operated by young people, as members matured, the national economy declined, independent stages closed, and public funded support for community theater was cut, Satori Theatre Company formally closed at the conclusion of the musical production “Brown-Eyed Momma” in 1977 after six seasons of performances.

The following provides a summary of the performance history of Satori Theatre of Detroit:

July 1971		“Script” by Michael Dinwiddie Cast: Thomas Coote, Lee Donaldson, Stephen Rambo, Michael Dinwiddie, Kathryn Ervin, and Michelle Dinwiddie

“You Must Leave Now” by Kathryn Ervin Cast: Kathryn Ervin, Debra Walton, Michael Dinwiddie Robin Parks, Ferdinand Penn

October 1971		“Script” by Michael Dinwiddie “You Must Leave Now” by Kathryn Ervin “Fragile Barrier” by Lee Donaldson Cast Members: Treva Bass, Thomas Coote, Michael Dinwiddie, Michelle Dinwiddie, Lee Donaldson, Rodney Groves, Stephen Rambo, Robin Parks, Kathryn Ervin, Stephanie Segue, Ferdinand Penn and Debra Walton. March 1972		“Negro history Week Tour,” Detroit Public Schools, Oakland County Youth Assistance Advisory Council July 1972		Four Plays “You Must Leave Now” by Kathryn Ervin Cast: Kathryn Ervin, Debra Walton, Michael Dinwiddie, Robin Parks, Stephen Rambo “A Fine Day for War” by Michael Towns Cast: Robin Parks, Michael Dinwiddie, Thomas Cooste, Jr., Stephen Rambo “Interlude” by Kathryn Ervin Cast: Barbara Houston and Rodd Groves “The First Day” by Michael Dinwiddie Cast: Taylor Segue IV, Michelle Dinwiddie, Stephanie Segue, Dan Settles and Michael McGee September 1972	“The Last Testament” June-August 1973	Summer Theatre in the Parks “Improvisations on the Black Experience for Children” July 1973		“Thou Shalt Not Kill (Unless They Deserve It)” Cast: Thomas Cummings, Kathryn Ervin, George Swan III, Michael Dinwiddie, Patricia Banks, Leslie Dunnell, Clayton Fox, III, Lisa Leace, Michael Mcgee, Robin Parks, Taylor Segue, Patricia Harris, William Hogg, Dan Settles, Gregory Freeman, Patricia Coote, Kenneth Hylton, Jr., Cynthia Ross, and Nilda Glenn November 1973	A Night of One-Acts “You People” by Dan Settles Cast: Larry Burton, Kathryn Ervin, Francine Jones, Cynthia Ross, Robert Pitts, Joseph Butler, Cheryl McClenic, Thomas Cummings, Devona Eubanks and Michelle Taylor “A Matter of Opinion” by George W. Swan III Cast: Margaret King, George Swan III, Michelle Dinwiddie, William Hogg and Francine Jones “Creation: The Diversion” by George W. Swan III Cast: George Swan III, Michelle Taylor, Cheryl McClenic, Michael Dinwiddie and Patricia Banks “I’ll Be Back in the Morning” by Kenneth Hylton, Jr. Cast: Robert Pitts, Michael Dinwiddie, Kathryn Ervin, Joseph Butler, Patricia Banks, Larry Burton and Cynthia Ross “Elevator” by William F. Hogg Cast: Joseph Butler, Thomas Cummings, Nilda Glenn and Devona Eubanks

March 1974		“Montana Young,” Book and Music by Michael Dinwiddie Cast: Joske Thompson, Ronald Young, Joseph Hayden III, Kathryn Ervin, Patricia Banks, Karen Clermont, Michelle Taylor, Joseph Butlet, Jr., William Hogg, Richard Cullens, Gregory Freeman, Karen Blakely, Cheryl McClenic, George Swan III, Thomas Cummings, Keith Hylton, Kevin Hylton, Cynthia Ross, Leslie Dunnell, Devona Eubanks, Francine Jones, Crystal Kelly, Margaret King, Vincent Chishom. Nilda Glenn and Joshua Williams

April 1974		WXYZ (Channel 7) Collage Television Program “Street Sense” October 1974		“Martians Don’t Speak English” by Michael Dinwiddie Cast: Gregory Freeman, William Hogg, Steven Lockhart, Howard Soneclar, Thomas Cummings, Clayton Fox, III, Constance Jones, Sam Weisman, Gregory Bowman, Michelle Dinwiddie, Rochelle Mullins, Apryl Thomas, Mellisa Hepburn, Valerie Robinson, Francine Jones and Renne Wilks November 1974	“Godmachine” Season 5 “I90H” by George Swan III “Elevator” by William F. Hogg “Love” by Kathryn Ervin “Encounter” by William F. Hogg “Interlude” by Kathryn Ervin “Godmachine” by George Swan III Cast: Gregory Bowman, Thomas Cummings, Jennifer Davis, Robbie Davis, Terrie Ellery, Kathryn Ervin, Virgil Flynn, Argenia Ford, Clayton Fox, III, Melissa Hepburn, William Hogg, Sheryl King, Cheryl McClenic, Frank McDonnell, Duane McKee, Gayle Palmieri, and George Swan III

December 1974	Two One-Acts “Orientation” by George Swan III “A Street Named DSR” by William Hogg

August 1975

May 1976		Five One-Acts “Godmachine” by Geoge Swan III “The Rehearsal” by George Swan III “Matter of Opinion” by George Swan III “The Applicant” by George Swan III “Shelia’s Wallet” by Melissa Hepburn Cast: Kathryn Ervin, Melissa Hepburn. Cynthia Cox. Cynthia Fishburn, George Swan, Patrice Walden, Elizabeth Taylor, Benita Mixon, Thomas Salusberry, Patricia Swan, Terrence Werldow, Jenai Gardner, Toni Hampton, Candace Woodall and Yvette Blackwell.

June –August 1976	“Return to the Way,” Book and Music by George Swan III Cast:	Clayton Fox, III, Cynthia Fishburn, Duane McKee, Rosalind Andrews, Cynthia Cox, Eric Duncan, Kathy Wilson, Valorie McCune, Earl Wilson, Beverly Coleman, Kenneth Robinson, Vicky Spring, Kimberly Edmonson, Linda Barrington, Linda Weeks, Candance Woodall, Robert Boone, L. Melissa Hepburn, Thomas Cummings, Carla Woodall, Lawrence Smith, Ramona Sparger, Lisa Robinson, Bridget Davis, Patricia Swan,. Benita Mixon, Patrica Walden. Elizabeth Taylor and Argenia Ford.

November 1976	“Carole, Dear Carole” by George Swan III Cast: Terence Werdlow, Sheryl King, Lawrence Smith, Denise James, Patricia Swan, George Swan, Chris Cosey, Lisa Robinson, Robert Boone, Eric Duncan, Toni Hampton, Glade Koehler, Cynthia Cox, Kimberyl Edmonson, Cynthia Fishburn, Argenia Ford, Aleta Hamilton, Melissa Hepburn, Viky Spring, Pat Porter, Valorie Smith, Ramona Sparger, Regina Turner and Candace Woodall

December 1976	“Christmas at Cobo” by Argenia Ford

February 1977	“Black History Tour” Directed by Kathryn Ervin

March 1977		“Brown-Eyed Momma” Book and Music by George Swan III Cast: Brian Heath, Denise James, Patricia Porter, Ramona Sparger, Thomas Reese, Valorie Smith, Eric Duncan, Terence Werdlow, Robert Boone, Susan Hall, Ruth Jarrett, Glade Koehler, Anita Nelson, Regina Turner, Lisa Woods, Margo Heath, Patricia Swan, Aleta Hamilton, Steve Bland, Derrick Dillard, Jessica Hamilton, Cynthia Cox, Cynthis Fishburn, Candace Woodall, Sheryl King, Kathy Wilson and Melissa Hepburn.

REFERENCES: “Theatrical News,” The Michigan Chronicle, Saturday, July 10, 1971.

The Satori Theatre Company Newsletter, October 1971 edition.

The Michigan Chronicle, “Negro History Week Activities,” March 1972.

Detroit Theatre Council Newsletter published by the Detroit Metropolitan Theatre Council, Detroit Department of Parks and Recreation, October 1972 edition.

“The Satori Story,” The Cass Technician, December 18, 1972. Section B, page 4.

“Community Theater Detroit Style,” by John Weisman, Detroit Free Press, Sunday, March 4, 1973, page 7-D.

Special Edition Detroit Theatre Council Newsletter, March 1973, Mort Furay Community Theatre Festival Results.

“Touring Theatre Companies,” Detroit Metropolitan Theatre Council Newsletter, Summer 1973.

“Young Dramatists Lead The Worship,” by Marilyn Marcewicz, The Detroit News, Friday, July 27, 1973, page 3-D.

“Teen Authors, Actors Spin Out Exciting New Plays in Church,” by Hiley H. Ward, Detroit Free Press, Religion Film/Stage, November, 1973.

“What’s Happening,” The Sunday News, Detroit, December 8, 1974, page 12-C.

“Satori Theatre Opens New Season Thursday,” The Michigan Chronicle, Saturday, November 15, 1975.

“Godmachine Starts Satori Season.” By Tyrone Williams, The South End, November 19, 1975, page 8.

“Godmachine,” The Community Voice, November 1975, page 4.

“Satori Tribute to Women,” The Michigan Chronicle, Saturday, March 6, 1976, Section B-page 7.

“Satori’ adds Zen touch to clown show for kids,” by Pat Smee, The Detroit News, April 25, 1976, page 15-E.

“Musical to be presented,” The Michigan Chronicle, Saturday, July 31, 1976, Section 8-page 6.

“New Satori Musical to Open Friday (Brown=Eyed Momma),” The Michigan Chronicle, Saturday. March 29, 1977.

Chronology of productions, production information and cast lists taken from The Satori Theatre Company Archival Scrapbook of printed performance programs, private collection housed in Detroit, Michigan.