Department of Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance

Dr. Winona Lee Fletcher taught theatre and drama at Kentucky State College (later University) from 1951 to 1978 and at Indiana University from 1978 to 1994. From 1971-73, while on leave from Kentucky State, she came to IU to assist in the development of the Afro-American Studies Department. Dr. Fletcher has been very involved with a number of theatre organizations, most notably through her work with the Kennedy Center, her research and work with the American College Theatre Festival Lorraine Hansberry contest for new playwrights, and her research into the Negro units of the Federal Theatre Project of the 1930s. Some of the other theatre organizations with which she has been prominently associated include the American Theatre Association, the University & College Theatre Association, the National Association of Dramatic and Speech Arts, the Association for Theatre in Higher Education, the Black Theatre Network, and the National Conference of African American Theatre.

Dr. Fletcher also served as a theater educator, historian, and author as well as a civic and social leader in her community, sorority, and church. During her tenure at Indiana University, Fletcher served as Producing Director for the Afro-American Arts Institute's 1986 revival of Prelude to Swing entitled Prelude to Swing +50.