Charles "Charley" Blackwell lectures at the University of Connecticut

Actor and producer Charles Allen "Charley" Blackwell attended Oberlin College and upon graduation toured with the Pearl Primus School of African dance, traveling to Europe, Africa, and Israel. Upon returning to the United States, Blackwell was a solo dancer in the production of Fanny. Blackwell later transitioned to stage management where he worked for thirty years, managing and producing such shows as "Promises, Promises," "Sugar," "The Wiz," "Sunday in the Park with George," and "Jerome Robbin's Broadway."

Blackwell was nominated for a Tony Award as author of the book that became the musical "The Tap Dance Kid." Blackwell also wrote the screenplay for "A Piece of the Action," which starred Bill Cosby and Sidney Poitier. Mr. Blackwell died in June 1995.