Ronald Himes (born June 30, 1952) is an African American theatrical producer, director and actor. He established The St. Louis Black Repertory Company in 1976. He also is the Henry E. Hampton, Jr. Artist-in-Residence, [1] a joint appointment of the Performing Arts Department and African and African American Studies at Washington University in St. Louis.
Himes received an honorary doctorate in Fine Arts from the University of Missouri St. Louis in 1993, [2] and an honorary doctorate in Arts from Washington University in St. Louis in 1998. [3]
Ronald Himes was born in St. Louis, Missouri on June 30, 1952. [4] He graduated from Soldan High School in St. Louis, [5] and in 1978 he graduated with a bachelor's degree in business from Washington University in St. Louis. [6]
Himes founded the Phoenix Theatre Troupe in 1976 while an undergraduate student at Washington University in St. Louis (later becoming The St. Louis Black Repertory Company). Himes said, "The goal was to fill the void of black actors on stage. It was really about showcasing African-American stories, because our stories weren't being told." [7]
Following his graduation from Washington University, Himes led the St. Louis Black Repertory Company on tours of local colleges, and in 1981 the company got a permanent venue in St. Louis. [8] [9]
Year | Film | Role |
---|---|---|
2010 | Kingshighway | Pender |
2025 | On Fire [10] | Hospital Worker |