Sheppard Randolph Edmunds

Shepard Randolph Edmunds (April 30, 1900 – March 28, 1983) was one of the most prolific pioneers in black playwright. Dr. Edmonds was a drama teacher, director and organizer of drama organizations and festivals among black colleges in the South and Southeast. Known as the Dean of Black Academic Theater, Dr. Edmonds joined the faculty of Dillard University where he was influential in starting up the Dillard University Theater Department, the first such program at an HBCU in the United States. During his tenure at Dillard University his plays became a growing success within the Dillard University players when Dr. Edmonds formed the Players’ Guild, and on-campus theater group. A 1936 issue of Dillard’s yearbook, The Courtbouillon spotlighted the newly formed group which was active from 1935 to 1940, and served to build a strong theatrical culture at Dillard and provided entertainment for the students and city alike. Dr. Edmonds showcased his own work at Dillard and many plays by both black and white writers.

Sheppard Randolph Edmonds authored forty-nine plays, chaired three Drama Departments, and was a major influence in African American drama in the South. In 1930, Sheppard Randolph Edmonds founded the first Black educational theatre organization in the United States, the Negro Intercollegiate Drama Association (NIDA). In the thirty-nine years between 1930-1969, the only two Black theatre organizations were the Negro Intercollegiate Association (NIDA), and the Southern Association of Dramatic and Speech Arts (SADSA), founded in 1936. SADSA changed its name to NADSA in 1950 (Sandle 172). Sheppard R. Edmonds founded both of these associations at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

Omega Contributions:

While Bro. Edmonds was a professor at Dillard University, he was an active member of Rho Phi Chapter. He also served the fraternity as a member of the National Scholarship Commission.