Andrews' work was submitted as part of Jomandi's application, and he will work with the group as the composer for its new production, the musical Keep the Faith, the story of the life of Adam Clayton Powell. Playwright Jeff Stetson has been selected to collaborate with Andrews on several efforts to "develop innovative expressions of African-American culture" for Jomandi. Their work will include the world premiere musical. It will also provide training opportunities for African-American and other artists at Jomandi.
"This is a wonderfully prestigious fellowship for me to receive," said Andrews. "It will not only allow me to work with a talented theater company, but will also allow me to explore my desire to direct theater as well as music."
Peter Zeisler, executive director of the Theatre Communications Group, said, "The National Theatre Artists Residency Program was created to help counteract the growing gap between individual artists and theater companies caused by diminished budgets, geographical isolation and the freelance-based employment system. The program gives artists the opportunity to create work within the context of a specific theater organization, drawing from the institution's artistic, technical and community resources."
"The residencies provide sufficient time for the artists and theater companies to explore their mutual needs and interests and begin to build deep and lasting partnerships," said Marian Godfrey, director of The Pew Charitable Trusts Culture Program. "These partnerships can serve as a springboard for the artists and institutions to take risks that will lead to personal artistic growth and advancement of the field."
The residencies require the artists to be on site at the host theaters for a minimum of six months during what can be as long as a two-year contract. Because most theater work is freelance, this is an unusually long time.
Andrews has been at Emory since 1988 and has been a long-time collaborator with playwright August Wilson. Most recently, Andrews wrote the score for Wilson's Hallmark Hall of Fame teleplay The Piano Lesson.
-Mike MacArthur