The 77th Academy Awards has broken records in the number of minorities nominated, with Jamie Foxx ("Ray"), Don Cheadle and Sophie Okonedo ("Hotel Rwanda"), and Morgan Freeman ("Million Dollar Baby") among those competing for top honors.
Until this year, no more than three black actors had ever been nominated at once. Diversity at the Oscars has been slowly incorporated, as only six Academy Awards have gone to black actors since Sidney Poitier's win for "Lilies in the Field" in 1963.
As an expert in acting and African-American theater, AU professor Caleen Sinnette Jennings, has followed the four black nominees.
"I have seen 'Ray,' and what a tour de force," Jennings said. "It is such an outstanding story and Jamie Foxx's background ... being raised by his grandmother, practicing piano and going to church regularly - it's really exciting to see him mature in his craft."
Although Jennings hasn't seen "Hotel Rwanda," she knows individuals who have worked with Cheadle, who is nominated for Best Actor for his work in the film.
"Don is really a class act," Jennings said. "He has brought an important piece of international history to the map with 'Hotel Rwanda.'"
According to Jennings, she does not have a favorite Oscar nominee because she knows how hard the entertainment business can be.
"Each of the artists has done excellent work," Jennings said. "Each of their stories is so compelling and I wish them all the best."
Now a director of theater and musical theater at AU, Jennings has been involved in entertainment since she graduated from New York University's Tish School of the Arts with an MFA in acting.
"When I entered the real world, I realized that there are eight zillion other actors out there trying to make a living," Jennings said. After attempts to break into acting, and work in ads and consumer research, her husband encouraged her to begin writing. Jennings is now the author of more than 80 plays.
"My most popular play is a 10-minute one called 'Classy Ass,'" Jennings said. "It's now in five anthologies ... high school students are doing it now which is interesting because I didn't write it for people that young." The play was the recipient of the 2002 Heideman Award winner for the Actor's Theatre of Louisville.
Jennings has previously spent time in Africa with her husband doing television and news personnel work. After moving to Rockville, Md. Jennings created a children's theater, and shortly after, Gail Humphries Mardirosian, chair of AU's Department of Performing Arts, met with Jennings in 1989. She has been an AU faculty member ever since.
"What twists and turns life gives you aren't detours ... they will lead you exactly to where you are supposed to be," she said.
Jennings also gave advice to students who may want to pursue a similar career path.
"To have art is to have life ... and to be an artist, you must feel good about who you are," Jennings said. "If the commercial drive and competition is taking the joy out of your art, it is time to leave"
