[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 70 (Friday, May 23, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1061]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     TRIBUTE TO DR. RICARDO M. KHAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 22, 1997

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to bring to the attention of my 
colleagues in the House of Representatives notice that Rutgers, the 
State University of New Jersey will on this day confer on Mr. Ricardo 
Khan the honorary degree of Doctor of Fine Arts.
  Ricardo Khan is the co-founder and artistic director of Crossroads 
Theatre Co. Founded in October 1978, the company has been propelled by 
a mission to promote and develop African American theater for its 
artistic and social value. Crossroads has emerged as a World Theater 
that, in the words of one critic, ``sets out, consciously and 
consistently, to engage and illuminate the wider world.''
  Crossroads, which is approaching its 20th season next year, was 
established in a century-old former garment factory in New Brunswick, 
NJ. Audiences climbed up steep, narrow stairs to a small second-floor 
theater space where some nights there were more actors on the stage 
than patrons in the seats. Mr. Khan kept his vision and developed 
through the years a close connection to his community-based audience 
while continuing to present exciting and inspiring dramas, comedies and 
musicals. During the 1991-92 season, the company entered a new era when 
it moved from the factory to a new, $4 million, 264-seat facility in 
downtown New Brunswick.
  While managing the artistic and business challenges of a burgeoning 
professional theater company, Mr. Khan provided opportunities to a new 
generation of theater artists who work in front of and behind the 
scenes, from directors, actors, and choreographers to designers of 
sets, lighting, sound, and costumes.
  Productions from Crossroads have been seen in theaters across the 
country and in many foreign lands. ``Sheila's Day'' was presented in 
London, in South Africa and in New York City and toured the U.S. 
Following a production of Leslie Lee's ``Black Eagles'' at the Ford's 
Theater here in Washington, the members of the cast and artistic team 
of the show were invited to the White House where they were publicly 
congratulated by then-President George Bush and Chairman of the Joint 
Chiefs of Staff General Colin Powell. ``Black Eagles'' is a 
dramatization of the heroic exploits of the African-American pilots who 
fought during World War II.

  Mr. Khan's vision has become a showcase for plays by young 
playwrights as well as for the critically acclaimed productions of 
works by Pulitzer Prizewinner August Wilson, former U.S. poet laureate 
Rita Dove, Leslie Lee, Pearl Cleage, Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis, and many 
other prominent American playwrights. In addition, Mr. Khan has always 
remembered his own dreams as a young graduate of the Mason Gross School 
of the Arts at Rutgers and is committed to providing opportunities to 
aspiring students of theater. Through the African American College 
Initiative Program [AACIP] which connects Crossroads to the theater 
programs at many prominent colleges and universities, each year several 
students are awarded internships to learn from their practical 
experience at Crossroads.
  Mr. Khan is an educator who has taught acting at Rutgers University 
and has been a guest lecturer for the American Theater Association, 
Actors' Equity Association, the League of Chicago Theaters, Harvard 
University, University of Massachusetts, the Tisch School of the Arts 
at NYU, Brown University, and at Wayne State University.
  Mr. Khan is also a prominent spokesperson on the issues current in 
American theater. He has served as co-chair of the Theatre Advisory 
Panel of the National Endowment of the Arts. Currently, he serves as 
president of the Theater Communications Group, the national 
organization of the American theater. He is also a member of Actors 
Equity Association, Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of 
Television and Radio Artists, and the Society of Stage Directors and 
Choreographers.
  Though Dr. Khan's motivation in establishing Crossroads Theatre Co. 
may have been to create a forum for the creation and nurturing of 
dramatic expressions of the African-American experience, he has 
accomplished much more. Crossroads has become a holy place in the 
struggle among the races; at Crossroads, people of all races are as 
one, sharing the human experience through dramatic expression.
  I'm sure my colleagues in the House of Representatives join me in 
extending both congratulations and thanks to Dr. Ricardo M. Khan.

                          ____________________