The African American Playwrights Exchange (AAPEX) is pleased recognize two extraordinary ladies of the Washington, DC theatre community - Jacqueline Lawton and Jewell Robinson - for their contribution to African American theatre history in the form of a stage piece about Ira Aldridge: The African Roscius. Robinson, who is the Director of Public Projects for the National Portrait Gallery at The Smithsonian, commissioned Lawton to develop the piece from Aldridge's letters. In addition, Robinson has portrayed Aldridge's daughter in performances which have featured renowned Shakespearean actor Avery Brooks in the role of Ira Aldridge.