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I first met Miss Annetta when I was a junior in college. She was a little old black woman, almost as round as she was tall. She always wore her graying hair on the top of her head, and she always had a witty comeback.
She was unafraid to tell it like it was ("That SUCKETH," she'd say, and then follow it up with a suggestion, a question, or comment that made you see something in a new way). And as she was my faculty adviser, it was my duty and pleasure to listen to her.
I learned more from Miss Annetta about theatre, and about life than any other single person in my college career. "Life for me ain't been no crystal stair" and "That's life in the big titty" were favorite sayings. She had a keen eye for the dramatic, and she did most of her directing from the middle of the empty audience, behind a big table set up especially for her. The proscenium was her frame, and we were her brushes and paints.
She adored musical theatre, but seldom got a chance to direct this form - she expressed her annoyance to me, that they always wanted her to direct the dramas that she was so good at - never the musical theatre she loved.
I got word today that she died last month. She was 82. And I don't begrudge her the rest, but the world is a little less bright today. She left a legacy in those who were her students. I am honored to be among them.
Rest in peace, Miss Annetta.
Oh, and all the HPEF folks? If it hadn't been for Miss Annetta, I wouldn't know all of you. Because if it hadn't been for Miss Annetta, I wouldn't know Gwen as well as I do. And if I didn't know Gwen, I never would have met any of you. So. I owe Miss Annetta for that, as well.
She was unafraid to tell it like it was ("That SUCKETH," she'd say, and then follow it up with a suggestion, a question, or comment that made you see something in a new way). And as she was my faculty adviser, it was my duty and pleasure to listen to her.
I learned more from Miss Annetta about theatre, and about life than any other single person in my college career. "Life for me ain't been no crystal stair" and "That's life in the big titty" were favorite sayings. She had a keen eye for the dramatic, and she did most of her directing from the middle of the empty audience, behind a big table set up especially for her. The proscenium was her frame, and we were her brushes and paints.
She adored musical theatre, but seldom got a chance to direct this form - she expressed her annoyance to me, that they always wanted her to direct the dramas that she was so good at - never the musical theatre she loved.
I got word today that she died last month. She was 82. And I don't begrudge her the rest, but the world is a little less bright today. She left a legacy in those who were her students. I am honored to be among them.
Rest in peace, Miss Annetta.
Oh, and all the HPEF folks? If it hadn't been for Miss Annetta, I wouldn't know all of you. Because if it hadn't been for Miss Annetta, I wouldn't know Gwen as well as I do. And if I didn't know Gwen, I never would have met any of you. So. I owe Miss Annetta for that, as well.