'Halie!' opening benefits African American Faculty/Staff Assoc. scholarships, musical theatre program

• July 19, 2010 5:00pm

Donations at the July 29 opening night performance of “Halie!,” a tribute to gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, will go to the campus African American Faculty and Staff Association Scholarship Program, and the Musical Theatre Program.

Director Darryl V. Jones will take the stage before the curtain rises to suggest that attendees contribute as much as they can – ideally $40 each – to the program that has provided 10 $1,200 awards to CSUEB students annually.

AAFSA is an organization of committed CSUEB faculty and staff with ties to the African American community. In addition to taking part in campus activities, such as the Education Summit, its primary function is a spring luncheon to raise scholarship money, and to honor recipients. 

Students have used these funds to assist with tuition, buy books and supplies, and to assist with overall college expenses.

Written by Wendy E. Taylor, directed by Darryl V. Jones, with musical arrangements by Wendy E. Taylor and Mary D. Watkins, “Halie!” will be performed at 8 p.m. July 29 through 31, and at 4 p.m. Aug. 1 in the University Theatre, 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd., Hayward. This production is one of the many joint ventures between the Theatre and Dance Department, the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences, and Associated Students Inc.

Oakland singer and actress Jeannine Anderson will play Mahalia. Local actor Gary Stanford, and CSUEB musical students Reggie White and Tim Leaser will complete the cast.

Tickets are $15 general; $10 Youth/Seniors/Alumni; and $5 for CSUEB students, and may be reserved at tickets@csueastbay.edu or 510-885-3118. They may be purchases at the University Bookstore.

DD