Stephanie Asabi Howard, associate professor and chair of the department of theatre and dance at North Carolina Central University, recently received the inaugural Mabel Robinson Lifetime Achievement Award from the 2024 Artists Celebrating Excellence Awards. She was honored for her outstanding contributions to the field of theatre and performing arts and her significant impact on the success of other artists.
Dr. Asabi Howard has served as a faculty member with North Carolina Central University for the past 24 years. Seven years after joining the faculty, she was appointed to her current role as chair of the department of theatre and dance. During her tenure with the university, she has supported and guided students through various performances, including a student-run production of “Bus Stop” at the International Black Theatre Festival, which earned national recognition from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
Throughout her career, Dr. Asabi Howard has directed, written, managed, and performed several theatre productions including “Ain’t Mis-Behavin” at the Edinburgh Theatre Festival in Scotland and “Soul Rhythm: Sistah’s Voices” at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa. Both plays earned her directing awards from the John F. Kennedy Center of Performing Arts in 2015 and 2017, respectively.
Dr. Asabi Howard holds a bachelor of fine arts degree from North Carolina A&T State University, a master’s degree from Wake Forest University in North Carolina, and a Ph.D. in communication and theatre from Regent University in Virginia Beach.