Karen Turner Ward
Dr. Ward received her Ph.D. in Communication with an emphasis in Theatre Studies at Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA; her MFA in Acting at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA; and her BA in Drama and African and Afro-American Studies with Distinction at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA. Dr. Ward's professional activities include producing, directing and acting on the professional and college levels. She received the Best Actress of the year award in a musical in which she performed the role of Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill at Theatre Virginia in Richmond, VA, after completing a run of that same show at Heritage Repertory Company at the University of Virginia. Dr. Ward has directed several plays during her professional career. Among the many plays she has directed are What Use Are Flowers?, A Celebration of Sankofa, The Amen Corner, 40 Acres and A Mule (World Premiere), Shakin' The Mess Outta Misery, The Little Shop of Horrors, Treemonisha, Ain'Misbehavin', Desire Under the Elms, Equus, Once On This Island, Raisin, and The Wiz.

Dr. Ward has presented papers at professional conferences on the state, regional and national levels. Some of her paper topics include "The Status of the BA and BS Degree Programs in Speech and Theatre at Historically Black Colleges and Universities" (National Association for Dramatic and Speech Arts); "Black Theatre: Is it a Multi-cultural Concern" (American Theatre in Higher Education); "The African American College Initiative Program at Hampton University" (Black Theatre Festival); and "The Rap on Rap: Social, Political and Economic Reason" (Popular Cultures Association).

Dr. Ward's most recent presentations include participation on a panel at the University of Virginia on the topic entitled, "African-American Women in Performance," and "The Hip-Hop Nation and Your Church, School, and Community" presented at Regent University. Dr. Ward's "The Use of Rap Music in the Promotion of African American Films" was accepted by the Virginia Humanities Society for presentation and possible publication. In 1995, she presented a paper entitled "Rhetorical Paradigms for Building Cultural Bridges" at the Speech Communication Association Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Inspirational Quote:"Love the art in you, not you in the art."

Dr. Ward can be reached at: (757) 727-5402/5416 or E-mail: karen.ward@hamptonu.edu