The History

Dr. Katie Davis and Professor Norma Ragland directed theatre at Norfolk State University during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s.

Professor Robert Wynn-Jackson directed, choreographed and served as musical director from the mid 1970’s until the late 1980’s. Wynn-Jackson developed a tremendously viable audience for his musical theatre. The Norfolk State University Players’ traveling theatre troupe called ‘The Performers’ were showcased throughout the Mideast.

During the early 1990’s, guest directors Kevin Sutton and DeShera Rainey produced theatre at the University.

In 1992, Dr. Clarence W. Murray Jr. began his tenure as director of theatre. Dr. Thelma Thompson , at that time dean of the School of Arts and Letters, challenged Murray to make theatre at the University “more professorial”; in other words, place added impetus on the development of educational theatre.

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