Over it's 27 years of celebrating Black theatre, AUDELCO's audience attendance has increased significantly. The guest lists on Monday read like a "whose who" in Black theatre. There was Black star power all over the place that included, Phylicia Rashad of the "Cosby" show who was nominated for lead actress for her role in "Everybody's Ruby". Legendary actress Leslie Uggams (Roots, The Old Settler) won for her lead role in "The Old Settler", Phyllis Yvonne Stickney (Jungle Fever, The Colored Museum), and Ralph Carter (Good Times). Woodie King Jr., Director and Founder of the New Federal Theatre, whose production of "The Tale of One Short-Sighted Black Woman vs. Mammy Louise and Safreeta Mae" won top honors.

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Highlighting the two-hour celebration of positive portrayals of African-Americans in theatre was a tribute to four special honorees Emme Kemp, Olu Dara, Diane McIntyre, and Shaunielle Perry were celebrated for their life long work in Black theatre.

The AUDELCO awards were presented in 12 categories including, best playwright, best lead actor, best lead actress, best solo performance, and outstanding ensemble cast. The big stealer of the night was the play "The Tale of One Short-Sighted Black Woman vs. Mammy Louise and Safreeta Mae". Which won best playwright, outstanding ensemble cast, best set design, best costume design, best director of a dramatic production, and best dramatic production of the year. AUDELCO, known for it's spectacular finale, this year again brought the audience to its feet with an electrifying rendition of James Brown's "Gonna have a Funky Good Time." This hot number lead by DeShields and all the night's winners backed by the AUDELCO band ended the evening on a high note.

The most profound moment of the night was when AUDELCO winner Actress, Ebony Jo-Ann summed up the sprit of the evening in these words "Our history is important and it is important that we tell it because no one else will". During her acceptance speech for her outstanding pioneer award Actress Emme Kemp gave encouraging words to the audience on their self esteem as actors she said "Don't let anyone define you, just think, I am, I am I am, the authority on myself."