For his contribution to the dramatic arts and theatre organizations in African American colleges and secondary schools, Randolph Edmonds has been frequently honored by his colleagues, former students, scholars, and friends as the "Dean of Black American Theatre".

In addition to being a nationally known playwright and director, he was a recognized authority in Theatre, English, and the Humanities.

Born in Lawrenceville, VA, Edmonds was a graduate of the High School Department of St. Paul's Normal and Industrial School. He later graduated from Oberlin College and Columbia University.

Subsequently, he studied in the Yale School of Drama on a Rockefeller Fund Fellowship.He also studied theatre and attended festivals in England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

In addition, he took courses at Dublin University and The London School of Speech. Training and Dramatic Arts.

As a writer and playwright, he wrote and published over 38 essays on theatre, education, and literature.

He wrote a staggering sum of 46 plays.Earth and Stars, his most popular full length play, was published in an anthology: Black Drama in America, by Darwin T. Turner.

Edmonds, as an organizer, founded the two most important theatre organizations among black institutions: The Negro Intercollegiate Drama Association, or NIDA (1930) and the National Association of Dramatic and Speech Arts, or NADSA (1936).

In addition to these associations, he founded high school associations in the states of Louisiana, Florida, and North Carolina.

Listed in this article are only a few of his numerous accomplishments.

Dr. Edmonds remained actively involved in theatre and education until his death in 1983.