Jewel Walker wins Barrymore Award

Jewel Walker, Edward F. and Elizabeth Goodman Rosenberg Professor of Theatre

1:38 p.m., Oct. 21, 2005--Jewel Walker, Edward F. and Elizabeth Goodman Rosenberg Professor of Theatre, has been awarded a 2005 Barrymore Award for Choreography and Movement for his original creation, Tuesday, recently performed by the Amaryllis Theatre Company in Philadelphia.

Walker, a nationally renowned movement and acting teacher, is an instructor in the University of Delaware’s Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP). His recent production of Tuesday was directed by PTTP alumnus Stephen Patrick Smith who performed in the piece as a student at UD.

The annual Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre are the greater Philadelphia region’s only comprehensive theatre awards program, recognizing artists for excellence and innovation. Each year, the Barrymore nominating committee reviews more than 100 productions by professional theatres in the Philadelphia region.

“It was a very nice surprise,” Walker said. “I had not thought that I would win it. They were very kind, and I appreciate it. I think it was very nice of them.”

Produced by the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia and named after the legendary theatrical clan whose members included Ethel, Lionel and John, the Barrymore Awards are presented to honor excellence in acting, design, choreography, music, education, community service and lifetime achievement.

Walker studied acting in New York City with Vera Soloviova, Herbert Berghof and Lee Strasberg, and mime with Etienne Decroux. In 1964, Walker joined the faculty at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, where he taught movement and acting and wrote and directed plays for 13 years. Walker was a founding member of the American Conservatory Theatre and a regular performer (MimeWalker) on Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.

While in Pittsburgh, Walker wrote and directed plays for the Cincinnati Playhouse, West Virginia Touring Theatre, Allegheny County Parks Commission, Pittsburgh City Theatre and Walt Harper’s Attic. He also toured nationally as a solo mime.

In 1977, Walker moved to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as a founding member of PTTP, where he taught acting and movement and directed plays. He directed professionally at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, American Players Theatre and The Theatre School Inc. He moved with the PTTP to the University of Delaware in 1989.

In 1998, Walker was named Outstanding Teacher of Theatre in Higher Education by the Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). He received the College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Faculty Teacher Award in 1999 and became UD’s Edward F. and Elizabeth Goodman Rosenberg Professor of Theatre in 2000.

Article by Martin Mbugua
Photo by Kathy F. Atkinson

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