Vernell Lillie

The Founder and Artistic Director of Kuntu Repertory Theatre, Dr. Vernell Audrey Watson Lillie, died on May 11, 2020, her 89th birthday. She was born on May 11, 1931, in Hempstead, Texas, to Lillie Mae Watson and Walter J. Watson. She and her older sister Walta Delle Watson spent their early years in Hempstead. She attended Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she earned her B.A. degree in Speech and Drama. In 1952, she married jazz musician and educator Richard “Dickie Boy” Lillie, Jr. They had been friends since childhood. Two children were born to that union - Charisse R. Lillie and Marsha D.”Hisani” Lillie. She taught Speech and Drama at Worthing High School and Phyliss Wheatley High School in the Houston Independent School District for 19 years. During that time, she produced and directed theatrical productions starring outstanding student actors, whom she mentored with love and ferocity. She also acted in local theatrical productions, most famously playing Mama in RAISIN IN THE SUN. She also was a member of the Black Theatre Movement in Houston in the last sixties.

In 1969, she moved with her late husband Richard L. Lillie, Jr. and daughter Marsha “Hisani” Lillie to pursue doctoral studies in Pittsburgh, PA. She ultimately earned her M.A. degree in English from Carnegie Mellon University in 1971, and her D.A. degree in English from Carnegie Mellon University. Dr. Lillie joined the faculty of the University of Pittsburgh in 1972. She served as an Associate Professor in the Department of Africana Studies until her retirement in 2006.

In 1974, Dr. Lillie founded the Kuntu Repertory Theatre with the intent of examining Black life from a sociopolitical-historical perspective. Lillie used drama to educate while entertaining. Kuntu naturally developed into a supportive community for black writers, actors and artists. Rob Penny and August Wilson were closely associated with Kuntu. Since its establishment, the theatre has sponsored countless activities which highlight the African American community. Lillie has directed many productions including: The Buffalo Soldiers Plus One, Little Willie Armstrong Jones, Whispers Want to Holler, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Good Black Don’t Crack, Mahalia Jackson: Staanding on Holy Ground, Homecoming and Radio Golf. Homecoming was the first play by August Wilson to be produced by a resident company. Kuntu also traveled and performed around Pennsylvania and the country and was seen on the international stage in Edinburgh, Scotland, Toronto, Canada, The French Festival, and the Grandstown Festival in South Africa. Dr. Lillie also wrote and directed over 150 plays and collages in her lifetime and helped to launch the careers of many artists. One such artist was young Chadwick Boseman, who presented his play and taught master classes during Kuntu’s Mentors and Proteges 2002 season. He was one of many artists nurtured by Dr. Lillie.

Dr. Lillie has been the recipient of many prestigious awards including the University of Pittsburgh Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award; the Outstanding Award for Women in the Arts by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; and the 2003 Career Achievement in Education Award from the Association for Theatre in Higher Education, Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Black Theatre Festival in 2005 and the Pennsylvania Governor’s Creative Community Award. She also received numerous awards for her creative expression through the arts, her work with seniors and young people, and for her activism in education and the theatre arts.

Dr. Lillie was inducted into the prestigious Distinguished Daughters of Pennsylvania by Governor Tom Ridge, and she was a trained Psychodrmatist. She pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. at Dillard University and was an active member of the sorority throughout her life, including service as the President of the Houston Chapter and serving on National Committees.

Dr. Lillie was preceded in death by her husband, jazz musician and educator Richard L. Lillie, Jr. She is survived by her daughters Charisse R. Lillie and Dr. Marsha Lillie-Blanton, her sons-in-laws, Thomas L. McGill, Jr. and Thomas Blanton, grandchildren Jamehl Ihejeto(Ike), Alison Higgins(Kyle), Thomas McGill, III(Shannon), Leslie Arnette, Ashaki Blanton(Hope), Akilah Blanton-Taylor(Titus) and 16 great-grandchildren. The family requests that donations in honor of Dr. Lillie be made to the Black Theatre Network (Blacktheatrenetwork.org), in care of Renee Charlow, Business Manager, 8306 Bluebird Way, Lorton, VA 22079