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Ujima Company, Inc. founded on December 15, 1978, as the theatre component of the now defunct Center for Positive Thought School of Movement and Dance.
Some thirty artists accepted the invitation issued by Lorna C. Hill, founder of Ujima Company, to attend meetings and workshops to establish a group that would develop into both a honed ensemble and a professional producing company. The ensemble established its reputation by developing and performing original works written and directed by Hill. These works combined Afro-Caribbean folklore, African-American literature, and African-American song and dance.
Over the course of its first two years, Ujima Company performed extensively throughout Erie and Niagara Counties as well as in Southern Ontario.
Ujima's ensemble soon turned its attention to already scripted works. Ujima's repertoire of works is marked by a diverse spread of scripts from the familiar African American canon, lesser-known works by African American authors, premiers of new works, standard works of Western theatre, and contemporary American theatre.
Ujima Company serves to advance the interest and exposure of the performing arts as created and interpreted by African-Americans, by providing working opportunities for established artists and training experience for student artists.
It is the only professional theatre company in all of Western New York dedicated to the development and presentation of work by African-American and other Third World artists.
THE TEAM
Lorna C. Hill, Artistic Director,
Rahwa Ghirmatzion, Executive Director
Renee Armstrong, actress and singer
Bob Ball, company member
Beverly Dove, a Founding Member
Dayatra Hassan, company member
Cindy Miller, company member
Joy Moguel, company member
Here are few videos reflect some of their work.