‘A Baker Weekend’ to honor Dallas legend

By Alayna Chabot

Dallas Children’s Theater and the Baker Idea Institute convene local and national artists and residents for a new documentary, conversations, presentations and art exhibit on the legacy of Dr. Paul Baker on March 29 and 30 at Dallas Children’s Theater, 5938 Skillman St., 75231, and Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, 2501 Flora St., 75201.

 “A Baker Weekend” is divided into three parts to encourage guests to attend as much of the event as possible. Registration is free but required at BakerWeekend.eventbrite.com.

 “A Baker Weekend” is the best way I can think of to honor the roots of the collective organizations that have evolved in our city as a result of the genius of our own Texas visionary, Dr. Paul Baker,” said Robyn Flatt, founder and executive artistic director of Dallas Children’s Theater. “As founder of the Dallas Theater Center and the first Director of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Baker’s legacy continues to flourish and inspire artists, educators and administrators. ‘A Baker Weekend’ brings everyone together to look at his philosophy, and his contribution and impact on the field of artistic creativity.”

 Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Dallas Theater Center, Dallas Arts District, Ignite Arts Dallas, SMU Meadows School of the Arts and the Office of Cultural Affairs City of Dallas are joining together to promote and support “A Baker Weekend.”

“Paul Baker was a visionary artist. His work as the founder and leader of Dallas Theater Center for 25 years serves not only as an amazing story that’s a beautiful window into the past, but also as a source of inspiration for all of us as we look to the future. It is for this reason that we are honored to be a partner in ‘A Baker Weekend,’” Kevin Moriarty, Dallas Theater Center artistic director, said. 

 Dr. Scott Rudes, principal, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, said: “Dr. Paul Baker was the founding Director of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and since 1976 his genius and passion for the arts and academics has propelled generations of students on to a multitude of careers, not only in the arts, but in academia and engineering and in the sciences. That is a true testament to his vision of what this school should be. It should be a place to celebrate the learning and the genius that is inherent in every student.”

 A Baker Weekend Program 

Friday, March 29 starting at 6:30 p.m. Dallas Children’s Theater, 5938 Skillman St.

•  Meet and Greet

•  Sneak peek of documentary about Dr. Paul Baker with an introduction by Kevin Moriarty, and remarks from Robyn Flatt and Reis Meyers McCormack, film maker 

• Clips from the Archives: The Baker Legacy with introduction by Robert Flynn, author and Texas Literary Hall of Fame Honoree

• Reception Saturday, March 30 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Booker T. Washington HSPVA, 2501 Flora St. 

• Baker Theatrical Journey Tour and Art Exhibit: 50 Years of Paul Baker with an introduction by Lily Weis, executive director of the Dallas Arts District

• Made up of 20 panels, each 4’ x 8’ in size, this exhibit was created under the guidance of Kitty and Paul Baker and contains photographs of productions and verbal explanations of the relationship between the production and the visual art that inspired staging concepts.

•  A significant portion of the exhibit will be displayed at the school for the entire week of March 25 – 30. 

• This exhibit was originally developed for a celebration honoring Baker and his work at the Baylor Theater and the Dallas Theater Center in 1990. 

 Saturday, March 30 from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Dallas Children’s Theater. Dialogue and discussion with esteemed guests from the local, state and national arts scene

• Passion of the Vision with Robert Johnson, Sherry Kafka Wagner and Ted Perry on films, visionaries and ideas — panel discussion over lunch.

• Vision for the Impractical Idea: How Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts became a reality with John Paul Batiste, Dr. Rosann McLaughlin Cox, Dr. Nolan Estes, Rene Martinez and moderated by Dr. Scott Rudes, BTWHSPVA principal — panel discussion.

• And the Beat Goes On: Paul Baker’s Living Legacy with Octavio Solis, moderated by Dr. Deborah Mogford with Other Voices from the National Scene: Open Mic Stories — panel discussion and sharing.

• The Impractical Vision Lives On with Katherine Krzys, archivist, actress, director and Theater for Youth historian — video presentation celebrating the opening of DCT’s permanent home. For more information call 214-978-0110.

  Featured