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BTN Honors the Life and Legacy of Henriette Highland Garnet Edmonds,  Daughter of BTN Scholar and Educator, Sheppard Randolph Edmonds     The Black Theatre community was saddened by the sudden death of the much- loved and respected Henriette Highland Garnet Edmonds (a.k.a. Henri), who  transitioned into eternal rest on Thursday evening, March 12, 2009, after a short illness.    Her long and productive career in education began in 1956 at Grambling College, where she taught courses in the history of theatre, costumes, creative dramatics, and phonetics.  She was also director of children’s theatre and produced children’s musicals.  Her forty year love affair with Howard University was launched in the English Department in 1959 when she was hired as an instructor in English and speech.  From 1974 until her passing, Henri served Howard as Professor in the Theatre Arts Department.    Black Theatre Network members will know Henriette Edmonds by her last name, for its S. Randolph Edmonds Young Scholars Competition (named in recognition of her father) remains one of BTN’s most successful components of its annual conferences.    Since 1988, BTN has kept Sheppard Randolph Edmonds legacy alive by showcasing the most promising young scholars in black theatre and by providing them exposure in national venues.   Henri, much like her father, was an ally and staunch supporter of higher education in black theater.  Henceforth the Young Scholars Competition will proudly uplift the names of both Sheppard and Henriette Edmonds for their many contributions in the performance field as well as in the academy.   It would always warm my heart whenever my colleague and friend Henriette Edmonds would reference the man we call “the dean of black educational theatre in America” and “a pioneering Black Theatre scholar” as “daddy” (pronounced deddy).  During our occasional chats that spanned over nearly 20 years, Henri—as she was affectionately called—left no doubt in my mind that she was “Daddy’s girl.”   On rare occasions, she would reminisce about her childhood in places as varied as Baltimore, Maryland; Tallahassee, Florida; and New Orleans, Louisiana.  In each instance, her father figured prominently.   Born in 1934 to Sheppard Randolph Edmonds, Sr. and Irene Colbert Edmonds, Henri and her brother, S. Randolph Jr., were exposed to the world of Black theatre arts at an early age.  Edmonds, Sr. was a prolific pioneer playwright, drama teacher, director and organizer of drama associations and festivals at HBCUs.  Irene, her mother, was also a pioneer playwright and director in children’s theatre at Dillard University and Florida A and M University.  Having been reared by such accomplished parents and having been introduced at an early age to the power and beauty of the arts, the Howard University professor and former Chair of Theatre Arts Department excelled as an educator, actress, writer, and director and enjoyed a long and distinguished career on stage and in film.  However, the role that she appeared to cherish the most was that of educator and mentor to young students aspiring to excel in the performance industry.  Although not a biological mother, Henriette Edmonds was a much loved mother figure and role model to her eager young brood of Howard University students.     During the unusually joyous celebration of Henri’s life, the Howard University community converged upon the Rankin Chapel to say goodbye one last time to Henri in a style befitting its tradition.  Delta Sigma Thetas, all decked out in red, sang melodious and heartfelt lyrics in her honor.  Chairs, Deans, and other HU administrators outdid each other with stories of their brushes with Henri.  Misty eyed students shared memories of how Henri had inspired them.  Sisters from D.I.V.A. Inc. paid homage to Henri in a quick paced and sassy verbal performance.  If I did not know better, the standing room only memorial service in her honor was nothing short of a family reunion, complete with long lost relatives screaming in recognition from across a crowded room or catching up on things over a plate of food.  That was the scene in Howard University’s Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel where, on April 6, 2009, a massive crowd of well wishers gathered in the standing-room-only sanctuary to say goodbye to my colleague and friend, Henriette Edmonds.  This graceful and much loved diva of stage, screen and the classroom will be sorely missed.   Sandra G. Shannon Immediate Past President Black Theatre Network

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A RESOLUTION OF TRIBUTE To the life of the late MS. HENRIETTE “HENRI” EDMONDS  Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow Creeps in this petty pace from day to day, To the last syllable of recorded time; And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and furySignifying nothing.   --William Shakespeare    WHEREAS, God, the Creator of all, in His divine providence has called from labor Ms. Henriette “Henri” Edmonds, Professor of Theatre at Howard University; and    WHEREAS, Henriette “Henri” Edmonds, had more than 30 years of teaching experience and was a former chairwoman of Howard University’s Department of Theatre. She directed theatre productions at Howard as well as those presented at the National Association of Dramatic and Speech Arts; and    WHEREAS, Henriette “Henri” Edmonds, was a supporting actress in the Emmy Award-winning HBO film Something the Lord Made.  She wrote the musical score to Brother, Brother, Brother, Mine, and story collections including The Georgia Avenue Bus; and     WHEREAS, Henriette “Henri” Edmonds, was daughter of the late Sheppard Randolph Edmonds, name sake of the Black Theatre Network’s Young Scholar’s Competition; and  WHEREAS, Henriette “Henri” Edmonds, upheld the mission of the Black Theatre Network-- dedication to the exploration and preservation of the theatrical visions of the African Diaspora-- and was committed to transforming the lives of young men and women through the arts.    THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the entire membership of the Black Theatre Network wishes to record its deepest sympathy concerning this great loss of Ms. Henriette “Henri” Edmonds. We encourage you to remember that, “our Father will gladly help you bear whatever lies ahead…”    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be submitted to the Howard University Department of Theatre and that a copy be retained for the Black Theatre Network files.    RESOLVED this Sixth day of April, year of our Lord, Two Thousand Nine. Humbly Submitted,   BLACK THEATRE NETWORK Luther D. Wells, President

Dr. Sandra Shannon, Immediate Past President and Renee' Charlow, Business Manager present the Resolution on Henriette Edmonds at the funeral services.