Contact Us About The Company Profile For 5969 W 86th Place, LLC. So Im still denying, Im not going to be in your play, and one night, Im lying in the bed, and I feel Bernices big toe in my thigh. I didnt have an agent. There were all kinds of problems with white producers doing Black material; they just wouldnt do it. All the top-flight Black theatre actors working at the time did The Blacks at one point or another in its historic Off-Broadway run. She invited me to a meeting at her apartment up in Harlem. His son, Robert Reid Hooks Jr., 26, was also arrested on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of PCP. Robert Hooks was born on 18 April 1937 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA. Robert Alex "Bobby" Hooks, Jr., 57, of Wills Point was born February 4, 1954 in Wills Point, Texas, the son of Robert Alex Hooks, Sr. and Cynthia Louise Gready Hooks. He also appeared on television in an episode of the NBC crime drama series The Eddie Capra Mysteries in 1978 and portrayed Doctor Walcott in the 1980s television series Dynasty. And I admired them both. Previously, he was married to Yvonne Hickman and Rosie Lee Hooks. Get A Copy. I said, Ed Hall told me about it. Then I get a call from my agent, saying that they want me to come in and talk about doing Dutchman. Marital status. I walk out on the stage. I was in my first year of high school at West Philadelphia High. My oldest sister, Bernice, was a recreational counselor in the summer; she would do things and events for the community. Simply put, Kevins dad is a legend and if you dont know who he is, get ready to learn a lil somethin today ILOSM fam.. A lot of people didnt understand how the understudies took that. Eric Hooks mostly acted during his childhood years, with one of his most popular roles being in the film, Sounder. In that dramatic 1972 classic, Eric starred alongside his brother, Kevin, as well as Hollywood heavyweights, Cicely Tyson and Paul Winfield. Im feeling great, Im feeling fantastic. What would you like to share about that experience? for which he won the Theatre World Award and he was nominated for Best Male Lead in a Musical for Hallelujah Baby while he was simultaneously starring in David Susskind's N.Y.P.D.the first African American lead on a television drama. In 1945, at the insistence of his sister Bernice who was doing community arts outreach for youngsters at Francis Junior High School, he performed the lead in his first play, The Pirates of Penzance, at the age of nine. Robert Hooks pointing Lynn Redgrave as she sits on the floor in a scene from the film 'Last Of The Mobile Hot Shots', 1970. Hooks was nominated for a Tony for his lead role in the musical, Hallelujah, Baby!, has received both the Pioneer Award and the NAACP Image Award for Lifetime Achievement, and has been inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame. Id like you to consider doing Henry V in the park. And I thought, Am I ready to do Henry V? I asked Papp that same question. This important theater company has gone on to produce plays by Peter Weiss, Derek Walcott, Wole Soyinka, and many other playwrights. We encourage you to research and examine . Kevin Hooks is also a film director, and cast his father in two of his films: Passenger 57 (1992) and Fled (1996). Father. The movie was popular locally[citation needed] and praised by fans,[who?] Robert Hooks was buried at Beverly National CemeterySection R Site 528 916 Bridgeboro Road - Bridgeboro Road, in Beverly, New Jersey. Thats how long ago it was. mode: 'thumbnails-rr1', Other Works While it is the norm now, it was then a revolutionary attempt at rehabilitation through the arts. Business Owner at Media Mille LLC Robert Hooks (born Bobby Dean Hooks; April 18, 1937) is an American actor, producer, and activist. View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro, The 22th Annual Tony Awards 1968 premiere, Famous Faces on "Arthur Hailey's Hotel" (Season One), Actors from the Washington DC (DMV) area I had moved to New York, and I was working as an IBM machine operator at a sweater factory, Greyson-Robinson and Company. There are 3 director records in this entity. 2023 The HistoryMakers. 2, Robert Hooks talks about visiting black communities all across the country while on the road with 'A Raisin in the Sun', Robert Hooks talks about getting a role in the play 'A Taste of Honey', Robert Hooks talks about 'Voices of Our People', Robert Hooks talks about performing in front of his family and friends in Washington, D.C. in 'A Taste of Honey', Robert Hooks talks about his first time singing on Broadway in 'A Taste of Honey', Robert Hooks talks about joining the cast of 'The Blacks', Robert Hooks talks about the plot of 'The Blacks' and the playwright Jean Genet, Robert Hooks describes the plot of 'Dutchman' by Amiri Baraka, Robert Hooks talks about fundraising to support civil rights efforts in the South, Robert Hooks talks about beginning to work with young people in his community, Chelsea, New York, and teaching them about theater, Robert Hooks talks about the formation of the Group Theater Workshop, Robert Hooks talks about HistoryMaker Douglas Turner Howard's plays 'Happy Ending' and 'Day of Absence', Robert Hooks talks about producing HistoryMaker Douglas Turner Ward's two plays, 'Happy Ending' and 'Day of Absence', Robert Hooks acts out the plot of HistoryMaker Douglas Turner Ward's play 'Happy Ending', Robert Hooks compares the work of HistoryMaker Douglas Turner Ward and Amiri Baraka, Robert Hooks talks about the formation of the Negro Ensemble Company, Robert Hooks talks about the leadership of the Negro Ensemble Company, Robert Hooks talks about the success of the Negro Ensemble Company, Robert Hooks talks about raising money for the Civil Rights Movement with his celebrity friends, Robert Hooks talks about his friendship with HistoryMaker Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier, Robert Hooks talks about acting in his first movie 'Sweet Love Bitter' which debuted in 1967, pt. The goal of the Negro Ensemble Company of Los Angeles was to be a new and innovative multi-ethnic cultural project that strived to achieve the community effectiveness and professional success of its parent organization. We decided we wanted to create something different. We took pictures, and then we went and had food and drinks at our favorite after-show hangout spot, the Orchidia, all on the tab of our producer, Sidney Bernstein.Now here I am sitting across the table from our righteous hero Martin Luther King, apologizing to him for not being with him and the others on the frontlines in the SouthI mean, Im up on the stage acting and having fun in New York. Kevin is often called King Royal, a nickname given to him by his friends. Robert Hooks We will help your company, business, or service providers increase clientele and generate $20,000-$30,000 in monthly profits. If youre from the Old School era of the late 1970s/early 80s, you more than likely are very familiar with actor, Kevin Hooks (62). Richard Kiley - No Strings David Jordan. Hooks television career spans over forty years. He was born on February 25, 1946, in Chicago, IL. 4 John Frank Hooks. We all wanted to go back to The Blacks because it was so incredible, and the producer always let us come back. Al Freeman Jr. was reading the role of Clay. They were so nice to me; I couldnt believe the warm welcome they gave me.A few months later I had moved up to New York to pursue an acting career. Best known by the public for his role as Det. 164, 2018 Visionary Founder and Creator Award D.C. Black Repertory Company on its 47th anniversary, Emory University - Robert Hooks Collection, This page was last edited on 27 January 2023, at 04:41. How rich is Kevin Hooks? [4], Last edited on 26 November 2022, at 23:34, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Daveed Diggs & Wyatt Russell Join 'The Good Lord Bird' For Showtime TCA", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kevin_Hooks&oldid=1124022057, This page was last edited on 26 November 2022, at 23:34. Robert was once married to Kevins mother, Yvonne Hickman (whom there are no photos of, because she apparently wasnt into the spotlight like her ex-husband and son), whom he also has two more children with. I think it was Mickey Leland from Texas who was with us when we went to Washington. He is also father of: Cecelia Ann Hooks Onibudo. One Friday evening Im sitting there at a Kochiyama apartment meeting, and Malcolm walks into the living room. Having trained at the Bessie V. Hicks School of Theatre in Philadelphia, and after seeing A Raisin in the Sun in its Philadelphia tryout in February 1959, Hooks moved to New York to pursue acting. Mayor Lew Mitchell (1994-95) Dynasty Dr. Walcott (1984) N.Y.P.D. What Ive done, the legacy that I leave, is what Ive done for others, what Ive been able to do for other artists in this industry, Black artists in this industry. I even reconstructed it, and together with the students built a stage right there in my rented apartment. Robert Hooks Sr. is charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle. One more fun fact about Robert, is that he didnt give on up on finding love again, after his two failed marriages to Rosie Lee Hooks and Yvonne Hickman. In response to a direct plea from an inmate, Rhozier "Roach" Brown, who was serving a life sentence in Lorton, Hooks' D.C. Black Repertory Company structured the first prison-based arts program in the United States. also known as Bob Hooks Robert Hooks Man, she was so brilliant every night. She was responding to me and Im looking at Martin, and Martin is looking at her as if to say, What the hecks going on here? I did the whole monologue with herto her. One of my teachers had seen Penzance and decided she wanted to start a drama club at Stevens Elementary School, and she wanted me to be a part of it, which I was happy to say yes to. Thats what it looked like, and that kind of got to me. He was a retired heavy equipment operator and township supervisor. It was a great and life-changing experience for me. Hooks attended Stevens Elementary School. Shes sitting on the stage in a chair. Who else lives with 405 E Busbee St at ? You mentioned that in 1962, you replaced James Earl Jones in Jean Genets The Blacks. In 1968 Hooks was the host of the new public affairs television program, Like It Is.[7]. A lot of people who were in itRoscoe, Cicely, Maya Angelouwould go off and do other shows, TV shows or whatever, and the producer would let them go. His mother supported the family by working as a seamstress. He was previously married to Yvonne Hickman and Rosie Lee Hooks. We were the two characters that were added to the new production of the play that was done the following year; the play had opened in 1963 with a different cast. I was up for the award with three other actors: Robert Goulet, Tony Roberts, and David Wayne. An associated email addresses for Robert Hooks are robert.ho***@tivejo.com, rhooks8***@comcast.net and more. They had done the play the year before, and Tallulah Bankhead wasnt in it then either. The youngest of five children, Hooks was born in Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C. to Mae Bertha (ne Ward), a seamstress, and Edward Hooks who had moved from Rocky Mount, North Carolina with their four other children, Bernice, Caroleigh, Charles Edward "Charlie", and James Walter "Jimmy". Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Robert A. Hooks Jr. Robert J Hooks. One of these sons, Robert W., later served in the Civil War as lieutenant colonel in the Eleventh Texas Cavalry Regiment. container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', Current address. Al did the movie version; he was wonderful in the movie, as was Shirley Knightbut Shirley was no Jennifer West. The Inner Voices (Lorton Prison arts training program, 1971) proved to be a result of the beneficial effect of the repertory company in the D.C. area. Then they could always come back to the show when that gig was over. Actor Robert Hooks has had quite a month: On Oct. 18, Washington Mayor Muriel E. Bowser proclaimed it "Robert Hooks Day," complete with a ceremony at city hall and a reception at Busboys and . Elmer Mervin Hooks Sr., age 70, of Adrian, died on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 at his home. 405 East Busbee Str, East Camden, AR 71701 is the current address for Robert. his own property. What is Robert Hooks-jr's current address? ', Robert Hooks talks about meeting Whoopi Goldberg when she was young, Robert Hooks talks about playing Henry the Fifth in the New York Shakespeare Festival in 1965, Robert Hooks talks about the Group Theater Workshop performing a showcase based on Gwendolyn Brooks' poem 'We Real Cool', Robert Hooks talks about actress Ellen Holly, Robert Hooks talks about director Joseph Papp, Robert Hooks talks about his busy schedule during the late 1960s, Robert Hooks talks about raising his son Kevin Hooks. In 1960, you made your Broadway debut replacing Louis Gossett Jr. in Lorraine Hansberrys A Raisin in the Sun, and then you went on the national tour with the play. I asked Douglas to let me do the smaller play, Happy Endingits a four-character play, and I had some good young actors who could play the grown-up roles.While producing, you continued your acting career. I did the play with Jennifer West. Robert Hooks talks about the street he was raised on, Newport Place, Washington, D.C. Robert Hooks talks about his mother's work as a seamstress, Robert Hooks talks about being bit by a rat when he was seven years old. I couldnt get into Sidney Poitiers dressing room because it was too crowded; I couldnt get into Claudia McNeils dressing room because it was also too crowded. Additional members included Julian Adderley, Alvin Ailey, Margaret Walker, James Baldwin, Imamu Baraka, Romare Bearden, Harry Belafonte, Lerone Bennett, Arna Bontemps, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee Davis, St. Clair Drake, Ernest Dunbar, Katherine Dunham, Lonne Elder III, Duke Ellington, Alex Haley, Ruth Inge Hardison, Vertis Hayes, Chester Himes, Lena Horne, Jacob Lawrence, Elma Lewis, Henry Lewis, Paule Marshall, Donald McKayle, Arthur Mitchell, Frederick ONeal, Gordon Parks, Sidney Poitier, Benjamin Quarles, Lloyd Richards, Lucille D. Roberts, and Nina Simone. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. Support American Theatre: a just and thriving theatre ecology begins with information for all. Immediately thereafter, on March 24, 1964 he originated the role of Clay in Amiri Baraka's Dutchman. We also did one out here with one of the Congress people out here, but we got them to open up. I was acting, singing, dancing, and creating a dynamic character. Robert E Hooks We found 100+ records for Robert E Hooks in SC, AL and 34 other states. In April 1960, as Bobby Dean Hooks, he made his Broadway debut in A Raisin in the Sun replacing Louis Gossett Jr. who would be doing the film version. Maurice Evans - Tenderloin Reverend Brock. Set in contemporary Harlem at New York's grittiest and most depressing ebb, that film was regarded as a "blaxploitation" version of Romeo and Juliet, using African American and Puerto Rican ethnicity in lieu of medieval families. He was born December 13, 1949 in East Franklin Township to the late Robert M. and Clara "Peg" B. Yes, it was Phil Rose that I almost took out coming out of the elevator.Phil Rose asked his assistant to bring a script in so he could audition me. I was doing The Blacks and producer Sidney Bernstein came back to the dressing roomsand said we were going to have a surprise that nightthat Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife, Coretta, were coming to see the play.Now, Im doing one of the plays leads, Deodatus Village, which is just a great role. The a capella group Sweet Honey in the Rock was created and developed within its workshop process. Support American Theatre: a just and thriving theatre ecology begins with information for all. Where is Edward Snowden's girl Stormi Maya's Wiki - Age, Measurements, Boyfriend, How did Robert Hegyes die? Legacy is about loss of inheritance and what we can do to reclaim it. She would have Friday meetings at her Harlem apartment with Greyson and other garment district workers. Hooks directed the following episodes of Prison Break: He directed the film Prison Break: The Final Break (2009) based on the series. (The Billy Rose Theatre), 1979 American Black Achievement Award Ebony Magazine, 1982 Emmy Award for Producing (1982) Voices of Our People: In Celebration of Black Poetry (KCET-TV/PBS), 1966 Tony Nomination, Lead Role in a Musical for Hallelujah, Baby, 1985 Inducted into The Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame, recipient Oscar Micheaux Award (1985), 1986 March 2 declared Robert Hooks Day by the City of Los Angeles, Mayor Tom Bradley, 1987 Excellence in Advertising and Communications to Black Communities from CEBA (Excellence in Advertising and Communications to Black Communities), 2000 Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa honorary degree, Bowie State University. Tennessee and I drank after the show; he drank like crazy, but what a brilliant man. Robert Hooks was born Bobby Dean Hooks on April 18, 1937, in Foggy Bottom, Washington D.C., to Mae Bertha Ward and Edward Hooks. He has been married to Lorrie Marlow since June 15, 2008. Douglas Turner Ward, who had written two hilarious new comedies, Happy Ending and Day of Absence, had gotten a producer friend to option his plays and was trying to get financing to produce them. Courses included: career development workshops; pre-production and production for film and television; creative problem solving in production management; directing for stage and screenprinciples and practices; also the craft of assistant directors, script supervisor, technicians, wardrobe, make-up, etc. Age: 39 years old. What was it like creating Clay for the stage? So keep doing what youre doing, representing Black folks.That encouragement from Martin really meant a lot to me. | Five persons linked to this address. [1] Along with Douglas Turner Ward and Gerald S. Krone, he founded The Negro Ensemble Company. Son: Kiyo Dean Tarpley Hooks TELEVISION M.A.N.T.I.S. He also worked as the producer and director of the series Prison Break, directing a total of 13 episodes for the show. We were trying to get the industry to open its doors and level the playing field for Blacks to come into the industry as producers, directors, writers, whatever. They were kind of like Kabuki characters, played by me and the fine actor Conrad Mathieu. Additionally, Hooks is the sole founder of two significant black theatre companies: the D.C. Black Repertory Company, and New York's Group Theatre Workshop.[4]. Born Bobby Dean Hooks into the rat-infested Foggy Bottom of segregated Washington, DC in 1937, a product of the post-Depression Northern Migration, the story of Robert Hooks' life, in many ways, characterizes the turbulent growing pains of an America which is still struggling to come to terms with its racial history. What did all of this mean to you at that time? Kevin Hooks (born September 19, 1958) is an American actor, and a television and film director; he is notable for his roles in Aaron Loves Angela and Sounder, but may be best known as Morris Thorpe from TV's The White Shadow. T in the 70s film Trouble Man (1972); Grandpa Gene Donovan in the comedy, Seventeen Again (2000); and Fleet Admiral Morrow in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984). He also portrayed Doctor Walcott in the 1980s television series, Dynasty.. Hooks other film credits include Airport '77 (1977) and Posse (1993). I zeroed in on Coretta, thinking she would be a little nervous, but thats okayI would have fun with that. And it worked. His television movie credits include Carter's Army (1970), Two for the Money (1972), A Woman Called Moses (1978), Madame X (1981), Words by Heart (1985), Appearances (1990), and Abandoned and Deceived (1995). From the ages of 6 to 12, Bobby Dean journeyed with his siblings to Lucama, North Carolina to work the tobacco fields for his uncle's sharecropping farm as a way to help earn money for the coming school year in D.C. Please join us in this mission by making a donation to our publisher, Theatre Communications Group. Robert Hooks was born on April 18, 1937 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA. One more fun fact about Robert, is that he didnt give on up on finding love again, after his two failed marriages to Rosie Lee Hooks and Yvonne Hickman. Then Al did the role in the movie, but a lot of people get confused and think that Al Freeman Jr. originally did Dutchman and I took over the role from him. Written by Jane Wagner, it was a Peabody Award winner. For his personal life, it is known that Kevin was married to Regina from 1978 to 84, and has since been married to Cheryl,and they have two children. View People Named Robert Hooks in California. What happened the night of the actual televised Tony Awards to the world was a weird and mind-blowing experience for me. ), as well as a Nuclear Planner. I had personally helped him in doing it. I had these great kids off the streets of New York, from all five boroughs, maybe 60 or 70 students, coming into my apartment every day, studying acting, voice, movement, and reading and performing poetry. container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', What was it like working with that cast? Hooks worked as a director and producer on the series Prison Break. Robert Hooks (Photo courtesy of Wikipedia) One man had a grander vision, and for a time here in Washington, DC that vision was a reality. Along with Douglas Turner Ward and Gerald S. Krone, he founded The Negro Ensemble Company. At any rate, this is a good miniseries with a lot of well-known actors and actresses including Olivia Cole (excellent at Maggie Rogers), Cloris Leachman (as the snarky Mrs. Jaffrey), Louis Gossett, Jr. and Robert Hooks as Levi Mercer and Mays (two good friends of Maggie's) and countless other stars representing the First Families. Robert Hooks talks about his mother's family background, Robert Hooks talks about his father's family background, Robert Hooks describes his earliest childhood memory. 806 Dennis St, Camden, AR, 71701-6154. We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. The address on file for this person is 118 N.E. He started acting when he was 10 years old, becoming a part of the acclaimed episode of the CBS Childrens Hour which would win a Peabody Award; the episode was written by Jane Wagner, and entitled J.T. is about a Harlem youth who befriends a sick cat. That was the start of being on a stage and loving what I was doing up there.When summer was over, I went back to school. I saw the play in previews in Philadelphia, the first Black play I had ever seen in my life, the experience prompted me, a few months later, to just pack up and move to New York, because I knew I wanted it. He said, No problem, no problem, Ill work with you, and youll be fine as Henry. Usually, theyd go after James Earl Jones or somebody, but Papp wanted me. Distinguished actor Robert Hooks was born Bobby Dean Hooks on April 18, 1937, in Washington, D.C. The play Dutchman hit the live audiences harder than the movie version. Its because Ive done things for other people. I was in elementary school at the time, but the plays were done at Francis, which was in the Georgetown neighborhood, a couple of blocks from my house. Finally it comes down to the Best Actor in a Musical. What the hell is going on? I told him. Chartered by the State of New York, its mission was to bring together black artists and scholars from around the world. }); Copyright 2015 . Apr 18 1937. All rights reserved. When I graduated and went to Francis Junior High, I joined the drama club, and continued drama at Armstrong Senior High School. Born: 18-Apr-1937 Birthplace: Washington, DC. Clickhereto make your fully tax-deductible donation today! And what was the experience like working with the director, Lloyd Richards? He also won an Emmy for his PBS special, Voices of Our People. Aside from Kevin and Eric Hooks, their father has 5 more children- Cecelia Ann Hooks Onibudo, Christopher Carter, Michelle Thomas Hooks, Robert Hooks Jr., and Kiyo Dean Tarpley Hooks. in Duplin on W. side of Coherey River on Mar 17, 1756 & another for 150 ac. In 1992, Hooks co-founded (with writer Lonne Elder III) Arts in Action. (1967 - 1969) and Seventeen Again (2000). In Dreamer, Robert Hooks Jr. shares his remarkable story. Raleigh, NC. Robert Hooks (born Bobby Dean Hooks; April 18, 1937) is an American actor, producer, and activist. There has been so much shared about how the Negro Ensemble Company came into existence. Select the best result to find their address, phone number, relatives, and public records. These days, the brotha is still happy, healthy, and married at 83. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; I always wanted to know what moved her to do that, and I asked her to talk to me about what she was doing with and for the workers. Robert Hooks is listed as a Chief Financial Officer with Christian Temple Ministries Inc. in California. Robert Hooks's Life Path Number is 6 as per numerology. I continued to refuse to do this play, but my sisterwell, all the Hooks have very big toes, but my sister Bernices big toes were bigger; she could lift things with them. Hollow Image (1979) | Saundra Sharp, Robert Hooks Reelblack One 1.2M subscribers Subscribe 5.4K 523K views 3 years ago A black New York career girl, who has made it big in the fashion world, is. The three of us knew exactly what we wanted to do. Next, during the first season of the show Lost he directed two episodes entitled White Rabbit and Homecoming, and then became a part of the television remake of the film Sounder, which he directed, following which in 2009, he worked on the film Prison Break: The Final Break. And he dismissed Billie and he says, Were not going to audition any other actor for this role. What can you tell me about that experience? The son of legendary Delta bluesman Robert Johnson can keep profits from the only two known photographs of his father, the Mississippi supreme court ruled Thursday. Hooks experienced his first integrated school experience at West Philadelphia High School. ROBERT HOOKS: We grew up in whats called the Foggy Bottom in segregated Washington, maybe 10 blocks from the White House, but still segregated Washington. I had never been on the stage, but we had rehearsed, and thanks to Bernice, I knew what I was doing. See more results for Robert Hooks. He asked me how I knew about the role, since they hadnt even officially announced it. Child of COLONEL Hooks and Susan Dickson is: 2 i. When that curtain went up on A Raisin in the Sun and the lights went up, I thought I was in my own living room on Horton Street. Robert Hooks was born on April 18, 1937 (age 85) in Washington, DC, United States. 1, Robert Hooks tells the story of how HistoryMaker Douglas Turner Ward took over the role of Walter Lee Younger, pt. After the first scene, Richards liked what I did and gave me a couple of notes for the second scene. The company was intended as a further exploration of the ability of the arts to create healing. It formulated strategies and training for securing entry-level jobs. Written in a style that is direct, engaging, and inspiring, Dreamer is a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit, and a testament to the power of dream .more. Publicity Listings 1963 Zero Mostel - A Funny . But I ran up Broadway to 57th Street, 10 blocks up Broadway to get to Phil Roses office to audition, to be Lou Gossetts replacement in the biggest Black play on Broadway. The Group Theatre Workshop was folded into the tuition-free training arm of the Negro Ensemble Company founded in 1967 with Douglas Turner Ward and Gerald S. Krone[3] with a $1.3 million grant from the Ford Foundation under the auspices of W. McNeil Lowry.[2][8]. In 1964, as a result of a speaking engagement at the Chelsea Civil Rights Committee (then connected to the Hudson Guild Settlement House) he founded The Group Theatre Workshop, a tuition-free environment for disadvantaged urban teens who expressed a desire to explore acting. Please join us in this mission by making a donation to our publisher, Theatre Communications Group. Washington had to hear it. In Dreamer, Robert Hooks Jr. shares his remarkable story. Jeff Ward . A Taste of Honey was being produced by David Merrick, and at the same time you were in his show, you were picketing Merricks Subways Are for Sleeping, which was on Broadway and did not have any Black dancers or singers. Also known as: Mr Robert Hooks Jr., Mr Robert Hooks-jr. View Full Report . Robert was a lifelong U.S. Marine (Oorah! Robert Hooks!" Hooks' hardscrabble journey starting in the rat-infested Foggy Bottom of Washington, DC and the indentured summer servitude of Southern tobacco farms has mirrored that of an America that was going through its own seismic shifts.