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PAR, Performing Arts Review, Taiwan, November 2008, Edition Nr. 191
Great accomplishments by a multi-talented artist regarding international exchange −
Prof. Donald Muldrow Griffith
This May I participated in a multimedia dance performance entitled, “Time Flies”, a collaborative effort
with German and Japanese artists. Before our performance, we had the pleasure of attending a
telecast of The Collegium - Forum and Television Program on the Open Channel Berlin. I was quite
impressed by Donald Muldrow Griffith, The Collegium’s producer, director and narrator, who shared a
stunning biography and list of accomplishments. I trust through this article, the readers in Taiwan and
elsewhere, will be afforded the opportunity to familiarize themselves with and appreciate this great
artist, who has a profound influence on international culture.
Prof. Griffith was born in Chicago. His father was a psychologist, his mother a classical pianist. He grew
up in a middle class, well educated family which afforded he and his sisters loving support, an excellent
education and protection. As a result of his family experience, he developed into a positive, active and
competent person. Donald Muldrow Griffith majored in psychology and education through his University
training. After graduation, he entered the professions as a group therapist and teacher. He was also a
probation officer. During his work as a therapist, teacher and probation officer, he began his studies in
voice, acting and dance.
After many years training and performances in Chicago, the experiences enhanced his abilities as a
performance artist. Subsequently, he performed in many musicals and theatre productions for instance
"Pippin", "Stop the World I want to get off", "Contributions", “Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadows" and he
was awarded the most promising New Off Broadway actor award. He was also a soloist with the Rondo
Dance Theatre and a member of the Fred Benjamin Dance Company. Donald Muldrow Griffith also
served as a manager for the famous artist Oscar Brown Jr. With his handsome and tall appearance, he
also became a favorite in the fashion and model industry. In time, he participated in a growing number
of film and television productions, which expanded his performing skills and hence his career. He was
also a narrator for international organizations, such as airline and automobile companies. In addition, he
staged fashion shows for world famous fashion lines at many important locations such as Lincoln
Center.
As a result of his multiple professional abilities, Donald Muldrow Griffith became involved in many
professional fields. In addition to his open minded character, he was very successful both in art and
commercial fields. Although his career has reached high levels, he continues to explore creative
directions in order to enhance his artistic possibilities. He accepted an invitation from Theater of the
West in Berlin and arrived in Germany as guest artist for performing and choreography. In Berlin he
established the company entitled Fountainhead® Tanz Theatre together with Ricky Powell, Linda Curry,
a German colleague Detlef Bäcker and the very famous ballerina Gayle McKinney, who later became
his partner. They devoted themselves to art, education and cultural exchange in Europe and America.
Their aspirations are to confront racial discrimination, violence and prejudice through various cultural
activities
Prof. Griffith directed and choreographed "For Coloured Girls Who Have Considered Su***de When The
Rainbow Is Enuf" for the American army, which also toured and was awarded "Special Judge’s Award”
for choreography and music. Fountainhead® Tanz Theatre has produced additional great works such
as "Fountainhead Meets Mombasa", 1980 and "The Crazy Horse Suite", 1980. The Theatre also
organized the cultural festival "Fountainhead and Friends", 1983. Furthermore, he has choreographed
the theatre pieces "Tucholsky in Rock", "Cabaret" and the film "Die letzte Rolle".
In 1986, Donald Muldrow Griffith produced and directed the first European Black Cultural Festival which
included the Black International Cinema Berlin, with the support of many friends. For the past 20 years,
he has overcome many difficulties and continues the Black International Cinema Berlin film festival
without financial sponsors. Although the festival is entitled Black International Cinema Berlin, the
subject matter of the films is not limited only to Black issues, but is open to international artists who
apply to the festival with their films. When the screening committee selects the films for the festival, the
result is that many of the chosen films are documentaries with profound significance. The film festival is
not focused on commercial considerations for filmmakers, but is mainly focused on issues the
filmmakers wish to address. The film festival has also been presented in other countries. Furthermore,
Donald Muldrow Griffith has also published five Black International Cinema anthologies relating to
issues of concern to the film festival. American scholars have travelled to Berlin to document the
achievements of Prof. Donald Muldrow Griffith.
The Space & Times Dance Company is a creation of Fountainhead® Tanz Theatre and subsequently
Fountainhead® invited Nana Shineflug and the Chicago Moving Company to Berlin for a joint three day
performance at the Hebbel Theater. In order to facilitate the creation of additional cultural activities,
Fountainhead® founded Cultural Zephyr e.V. in 1990. During the same year Donald Muldrow Griffith
co-operated with the director Michael Andre in the creation of the film "Crossroads". As a result of their
astonishing achievements, Donald and Gayle Griffith were invited to create a dance theatre department
at Indiana University South Bend and were honored with professorships. During their tenure at the
University, they also travelled annually to Berlin to produce the Black International Cinema Berlin and
other cultural activities as well.
Expanding upon his ideas and cultural activities, Donald Muldrow Griffith entered the media activity of
television. In 1995 he founded The Collegium − Forum & Television Program Berlin in which he
interviews people from cultural, artistic, educational, political and economic professions and so forth.
During the same time frame, the program also provides an open space for performing artists. The
television program is also broadcast in additional countries such as Poland, the USA, Togo and other
European countries. Besides his busy schedule with the film festival and television program, Donald
Muldrow Griffith directed and choreographed the musical "Woah Woah" and he has also organized a
teenage dance exchange "Interactive Mirror" as well as an exhibition and poetry reading entitled
"Odyssey". He was also honored as chairman of the Berlin American United e.V. Between meetings
and activities, Donald Muldrow Griffith is often invited as a consultant for the organization of film
festivals, art festivals, speaker and as a judge and participant in panel discussions.
As I survey the world, it is unusual to meet a person, who combines the qualities of many professions
such as the host of a television program, producer, choreographer, director, publisher, organizer,
performer, writer, speaker, etc. I was joking with Prof. Griffith at our last meeting and I said: "Although
you are not yet sixty, you have accomplished the activities, experiences and achievements of someone
over a hundred years old. Besides never ending energy, you have a powerful determination, as
witnessed through your unending activity." Prof. Griffith said, the words of famous artists and friends
such as Sammy Davis Jr., "Yes, I can...!" and Oscar Brown Jr., "I may not make it if I try, but I damn
sure won't if I don't" are the dictums which he utilizes as a source of motivation to achieve his goals and
he does not fear difficulties and sees the problems that occur, as merely challenges. I hope that in the
near future, the readers and viewers in Taiwan and elsewhere have the opportunity to view his work via
The Collegium − Forum & Television Program Berlin and participate in and screen films presented by
the unique and annual Black International Cinema Berlin.
Shiu-Chin Yu
September 7, 2008
Mottoes:
"I may not make it if I try, but I damn sure won´t if I don´t..." - Oscar Brown Jr.
"Mankind will either find a way or make one." - C.P. Snow
"Whatever you do..., be cool!" - Joseph Louis Turner
“Yes, I can...!" - Sammy Davis Jr.
“Yes, We can…!” - Barack Obama
FOR INFORMATION
Prof. Donald Muldrow Griffith
Fountainhead® Tanz Theatre
Black International Cinema Berlin
The Collegium - Forum & Television Program Berlin
Cultural Zephyr e.V.
12101 Berlin/Germany
Fax: 0049(0)30 - 7863466
e-mail: [email protected]
http://www.fountainhead-tanz-theatre.de
http://www.black-international-cinema.com
http://www.blackinternationalcinema.de
Fountainhead® Tanz Théâtre/Black International Cinema Berlin/The Collegium - Forum & Television Program Berlin/"Footprints in the Sand?" ExhibitionBerlin/Cultural Zephyr e.V.
We are an international, intercultural community of persons, engaged in achieving increasing understanding and co-operation between individuals and groups through art, education, culture and dialogue
fountainhead-tanz-theatre.de
Fountainhead® Tanz Théâtre/Black International Cinema Berlin/The Collegium - Forum & Television Program Berlin/"Footprints in the Sand?" ExhibitionBerlin/Cultural Zephyr e.V.
We are an international, intercultural community of persons, engaged in achieving increasing understanding and co-operation between individuals and groups through art, education, culture and dialogue
We are an international, intercultural community of persons, engaged in achieving increasing understanding and co-operation between individuals and groups through art, education, culture and dialogue