SSWS Episode 5: Freedom of Expression

This video presentation was produced by Laura Kathleen Bruton, in honor of Cecelia Antoinette

~BROWN GAL RISING~

CECELIA ANTOINETTE

Once a twin, always a twin. That is how life began for Cecelia (CeCe) Antoinette on November 24, 1949, with her twin brother Cecil Anthony. They were born to the parents of Naomi Marie and Cicero Hamilton Bruton, Sr. This was no ordinary set of twins as the birth of twins in the ’40s was rare. They were immediately recognized by the Carnation Pet Milk Co.; had their picture taken and an article was written up in the newspaper–so Cecelia Antoinette had her first photoshoot. CeCe, along with her siblings Laura Kathleen, Cecil Anthony, and Cicero Hamilton, Jr. (professional name Ciscoe II) grew up in a nurturing, loving, church-going family in the community of Hamilton Park. It was the first neighborhood built for black families in Dallas, TX. CeCe dearly loved her family and her community and wrote about these connections in her one-woman show.

A new phase in her life began when she graduated from Hamilton Park High School and traveled to Norman, OK to become a “Sooner” at the University of Oklahoma. Deciding to attend OU had special meaning since that was the birth state of both her grandmother, Princella Hartman, and her mother, Naomi. She earned her B.A  in Communications. Upon returning to Dallas after graduating from O.U. she worked for Taylor Publishing Company and the Post Tribune. After learning how to at these two prestigious companies, she decided to start her own publishing company, “PLUMEings Productions.” Thus she was able to self-publish her own book of her poetry “Just as I Am.” She also became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in 1979, joining the Dallas graduate chapter, Alpha Xi Omega. 

Her adventurous spirit wanted to explore more of what the world had to offer. So when a friend in New York City invited CeCe to join her in the “Big Apple” she agreed to come for a short visit. Well, that visit lasted for many years and CeCe’s career path changed from communications to the theatre, yes, acting. While visiting her friend in NYC she started dabbling into acting—taking classes. Just note that she had performed in some theatrical productions in Dallas, following in the footsteps of her mother who performed in several Dallas productions, and her brother Ciscoe II who performed in several Broadway productions, “My One and Only,” Bob Fosse’s “Dancin” and “Big Deal.” She got the opportunity to travel extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan.

In CeCe’s own words “I love my life”—as an actor, I have performed to critical acclaim on Broadway in MULE BONE by Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston and in regional productions of MEMBER OF THE WEDDING, THE RIDE DOWN MT. MORGAN, and ST. LUCY’S EYES (where I originated the role and understudied Ruby Dee). I have appeared on several national commercials and network and CABLE TV shows like LAW & ORDER, THE CHRIS ROCK SHOW, SEX AND THE CITY, and STAGE LEFT which was ACE nominated. My film credits include NEW JERSEY DRIVE, MOTV, and several independents that are award-winning.”

CeCe was no stranger to the Theater a little about Aunt Naomi Bruton

IMDb Mini Biography By: CeCelia Antoinette 

In her honor, The Black Academy of Arts and Letters has named their Main Auditorium, seating 1700 people, The Naomi Bruton Auditorium.

Naomi Bruton was a Dallas actress, born in Boswell, OK, the middle of 3 daughters to Princella Hartman (3rd youngest of 13 siblings). She moved to Dallas, TX with her mother Princella and older sister Clara. She attended predominantly-black Booker T. Washington High School and participated on the Bulldog Drill Team. She met and married Cicero Bruton, star running back for Booker T. Washington is now a World-renowned Arts Magnet High School. They bought a home in1955 in Hamilton Park, the first neighborhood "built from the ground up" for colored families" in Dallas, TX. 

Naomi was a pioneer in Dallas, moving out of the domestic worker ranks to be one of the 1st black people to work at Texas Instruments and the first black person to work in Reservations at Braniff International Airways. Naomi and Cicero had 4 children: Laura, who attended Southern Methodist University and the University of Texas, majoring in Sociology and making a career in the Job Corps system; twins Cecelia and Cecil- Cecil attended Southern Methodist University and Cecelia attended The University of Oklahoma and pursued a career in Entertainment; and Ciscoe II who attended The University of Houston, Southern Methodist University and enjoyed a vibrant Dancing career on Broadway with Bob Fossee and Tommy Tune. "Nee Tee" as she was fondly called by family and friends, performed on all of the Dallas area stages, Dallas Theatre Center, Theatre 3, The Junior Black Academy of Arts and Letters, Dallas Minority Repertory Theatre where she served on the Board, and The Round-Up Players where she was a Founding Member. 

For years, she was the only local black actress and in high demand throughout the City. She worked with Rex Ingraham, Reggie Montgomery, Irma P. Hall, Erika Badu, her son Ciscoe Bruton II, and her daughter Cecelia Antoinette.

- IMDb Mini Biography By: CeCelia Antoinette