The Wayne State University Alumni Association and the Irvin D. Reid Honors College in collaboration with the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts invite you to join us for the Arthur L. Johnson Urban Perspectives Lecture Series featuring Ruben Santiago-Hudson on Sept. 29 at 5:30 p.m.

An acclaimed actor, playwright and director, Santiago-Hudson will discuss the highlights of his career, both on and off screen, onstage and behind the camera with filmmaker and Bob Allison (Allesee) Endowed Chair in Media in the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts, Juanita Anderson.

The event will conclude with a reception of beverages and light fare.

About the speaker:

Santiago-Hudson most recently helmed Dr. John Kani's "Kunene and the King" at the Shakespeare Theater Company and the world premiere of John Leguizamo's "The Other Americans" at the Arena Stage, which will open at the prestigious Public Theater in New York this fall. His Broadway production of "Skeleton Crew" by Dominique Morisseau received 4 Tony nominations, including Outstanding New Play. His own autobiographical "Lackawanna Blues" was awarded the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards as well as a Tony Award nomination for outstanding lead actor. With "Lackawanna Blues," Santiago-Hudson became the first person in the history of Broadway to write, direct and star in a play. His Broadway production of "Jitney" garnered several awards for Outstanding Revival including the Tony Award and six Tony nominations. Santiago-Hudson adapted August Wilson’s play "Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom" for Netflix. Produced by Denzel Washington, directed by George C. Wolfe, and starring Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman, the film underscored his prominence as a creative force.

Santiago-Hudson's other honors as writer, director or actor include: the Humanitas Prize, National Board of Review Award, the Christopher Award, Clarence Derwent Award, Lucille Lortel Award, 4 Obie Awards, 6 AUDELCO Awards, the Helen Hayes Award, NAACP Image Award, Glen Bartle Distinguished Alumni Award, SDCF Joe A. Calloway Directing Award, the Lloyd Richards Directing Award, the Nederlander Apple Award, and honorary doctorate degrees from Wayne State University and Buffalo State University.

About the series:

The Arthur L. Johnson Urban Perspectives Lecture Series began in 1992 and was named in honor of the civil rights leader and former WSU administrator upon his retirement. The series features distinguished corporate and civic leaders who speak on a wide range of important issues, from politics and business to law and the arts. 

Until his death in 2011, Dr. Johnson dedicated his life to uplifting his fellow man and the greater community. He was widely respected both locally and nationally for his work as an educator and civil rights leader. His decades of work and countless contributions to society have left a lasting legacy, celebrated by this impactful lecture series.  

Parking: Street parking is available in the vicinity of the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center. Download the Park Detroit mobile app for convenient payment options for street parking. Please be vigilant of the posted street signs. If street parking is unavailable, we recommend using one of the following paid lots:

• Park N Lock (located on Cass Avenue between Forest and Hancock)
• Surface lot on the corner of Hancock and Cass
• Surface lot on Forest between Cass and Woodward
• WSU Parking Structure 8, (located at 91 West Forest between Woodward and Cass)