Garland Lee Thompson presenting tribute plaque to Ernest Baxter

"Twas the Sunday night before Christmas, and all through the Ernest Baxter house, not a creature was stirring, not even a computer mouse. In hopes that the old Silvera guy from St. Nicholas, Avenue that is, would soon be there."

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Yes, it took place on Sunday evening, December 21st, 1997, at the beautiful landmark Harlem brownstone house of Ernest Baxter at 235 West 118th Street. The board of directors, staff and membership of the Frank Silvera Writers' Workshop Foundation, Inc., proudly presented a special tribune to the lifetime achievement and career in the theatre, film, concert and television industry, of lighting designer, stage manager and technical director, ERNEST BAXTER JR.

Members of the Workshop presenting a
short spoof playlet about the life of Ernest Baxter

The Special Salute to one of Harlem's and the New York Black Theatre's most dedicated artists, celebrated and pay tribute to the more than thirty years of Ernest Baxter's consistent career as one of the first recipients in 1973 at the first AUDELCO Black Theatre Recognition Awards and his long support for the benefit of the Frank Silvera Writers' Workshop, now in its twenty fifth anniversary season. A special $500.00 donation by Dr. Carlton Molette & his wife, Dr. Barbara Molette, helped to underwrite the event. Ernest Baxter's career stems from his education at Hunter College (1965- 1968), Lester Polakov Studio, RCA Institute, WNET Film Workshop, to many of the leading New York Theatre Companies, concert touring artists, films and continues today as staff at the PBS, Channel 13 Television Station.

Director David Sheppard, with Actress/writer Jo A. Tanner, Phd.,
with Harlemlive Director Richard Calton

He joins the Frank Silvera Writers' Workshop as a member of the Board of Directors. He has been for a number of years, the resident lighting designer of the Workshop for many of the award-winning Writers'/Directors' Series of Staged Productions in New York and at the National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C.

In attendance were member-artists, performing arts and culture supporters, such as playwright-actor Ronald Wyche, director/literary manager David Sheppard, actress Peggy Kirkpatick, actress/professor Jo Tanner, Ph.D., who co-wrote (with Janice Murray & Garland Lee Thompson) and acted in a special playlet with actors Larney Rutledge, Carmen Mathis and Scott Williams, which was a spoof on Mr.

Veteran Actor Larney Rutledge
performing at the Baxter Tribute

Baxter's life. Actress Dorothi Fox, actors Alvin Alexis and Charles Kashi also attended. The new executive director of the AUDELCO Black Theatre Recognition Awards, Carrie Jackson, also presented Baxter with a personal copy of the 25th Anniversary Silver Reunion issue of the AUDLECO magazine, Overture.

Caterer Noma Gray with Garland and
guests at the Baxter Tribute

Arts supporters and theatre people, who attended the pre-Christmas gathering, came to celebrate, benefit and support the Workshop in its efforts to continue its long commitment to the development and creation of what is now clearly recognized as the greatest and most prolific period of African-American Theatre Culture in the history of the United States.

For further information and donations, call (212) 281-8832, (212) 281-8839 fax, address: P.O. Box 1791, Manhattanville Station, NYC, NY10027 or E-mail: playrite@artswire.org