As part of our celebration of Black History Month, take a look back when Kathryn Ervin, CSUSB professor of theatre arts, one of only 10 people inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Theatre in April 2018. This article was originally published on April 16, 2018. Also visit the CSUSB Black History Month website to participate in our events all month long.

CSUSB celebrates Black History Month

Kathryn Ervin, a professor in the Cal State San Bernardino’s Department of Theatre Arts, was one of only 10 people inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Theatre this past weekend (April 14, 2018) at the historic Cosmos Club in Washington, D.C.
 
“It was an honor to become part of this group of wonderful colleagues. Over the weekend I was reminded again and again of the impact of artists and educators,” said Ervin. “The stories that changed us change the students on our campus and others like ours; they impact professional artists in regional theatres; they make playwrights and designers and people who use the arts to heal and uplift. It was fun to be with such an inspired group.”
 
Investiture in the College of Fellows of the American Theatre, which originated in 1965 within the American Educational Theatre Association, is one of the highest honors bestowed on educators and professionals in the educational and theatre community.
 
“Our new Fellows are a wonderful mix of accomplished artists from both the professional theatre and academia that make up the American Theatre,” said Karen Berman, dean of the College of Fellows of the American Theatre.
 
In addition to being inducted, Ervin was also able to see “the beautiful work of students participating in the National Finals at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and had a chance to meet the next generation of theatre collaborators.”
 
She also got to hear a talk from Luis Valdez, a Fellow who is a longtime leader in Chicano theatre and is the founder of El Teatro Campesino. He  wrote and directed “Zoot Suit” in Los Angeles and on Broadway, and was also the writer and director of the film “La Bamba.” Ervin described his talk as “a stirring address.”
 
Ervin, who received her bachelor’s from Wayne State University and Master of Fine Arts from Illinois State University, has been a professor at CSUSB since 1989, serving three times as chair of the theatre department. Ervin teaches courses in directing, acting, creative drama and African American theatre, film and culture.
 
“Like so many artists, my work in theatre began because of a play I saw that made me want to be a part of creating theatre,” said Ervin, who was inducted into the College with longtime friend, Michael Dinwiddie.
 
“Michael Dinwiddie … and I began our careers in theatre together as high school students in Detroit!” she said. “We created a theatre company called SATORI and performed throughout the city for several years. It was a wonderful training ground and many company members went on to successful careers in the arts.”
 
Ervin is an active member in a number of professional organizations, including the California Educational Theatre Association, the Association for Theatre in Higher Education and the California Arts Project, in which she is a fellow.
 
From 1988 through 1994, Ervin served as secretary, then vice president, then president of the Black Theatre Network, the national organization for artists, scholars and individuals with an interest in celebrating the beauty and complexity of black life onstage. She was granted the Black Theatre Network Lifetime Membership Award in 2010, recognizing her service to the organization.
 
In 2004, Ervin received the Excellence in Education Award by the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, and in 2005, she was given the Pioneer Achievement Award from the San Bernardino chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). She also served as co-editor of the book titled “African American Scenebook.”
 
As a director, some of her past productions include “THE WIZ,” “Novio Boy” and “HAMLET: the artist formerly known as PRINCE of Denmark.” She also guest directed “Intimate Apparel” at the University of California, Riverside in 2010 and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” at her alma mater of Illinois State in 2007. Her original production of the hip hop opera “Keep Hedz Ringin’” by Rickerby Hinds was a finalist at the American College Theatre Festival in Utah and presented as part of the NYC Hip Hop Theatre Festival in 2002.
 
The primary purpose of the College of Fellows of the American Theatre, which serves as an autonomous nonprofit organization, is to promote and encourage the highest standards of research, writing and creativity in educational and professional theatre through honoring distinguished service and notable accomplishment by individuals of recognized national stature.
 
Visit the College of Fellows of the American Theatre website to learn more about the award and the college.
 
For more information on Cal State San Bernardino, contact the university’s Office of Strategic Communication at (909) 537-5007 and visit inside.csusb.edu.