Benny Sato Ambush is an adjunct faculty member of the NCSA School of Drama. He recently was named director for the upcoming 2005 summer season of "The Lost Colony" in Manteo. “It was the latest career highlight for a man who has spent nearly 30 years making a name for himself as a professional stage director, producer, consultant and educator,” The Chronicle said. Ambush has taught for two years in the School of Drama, where he has directed students in productions including “Levee James” and “Journey’s End.” A native of Worcester, Mass., Ambush directed “Letters from a New England Negro,” which was staged by the National Black Theatre Festival in 1991.   

Leander Sales and Ron Stacker Thompson are both filmmakers-in-residence in the NCSA School of Filmmaking. “Leander T. Sales was born and raised in Winston-Salem, but his vast achievements in the world of film stretch far beyond this place,” The Chronicle said. Sales, who teaches editing and sound at NCSA, was editor of Spike Lee’s 1996 film GET ON THE BUS; he was assistant editor of five more, including MALCOLM X and DO THE RIGHT THING. His 1995 film DON’T LET YOUR MEAT LOAF won first place at the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Festival. “Sales is not selfish with his talents,” The Chronicle continued. “He teaches the art of filmmaking to youth groups and students in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school system.” His next project, JAZZ IT UP, was filmed in Winston-Salem.  

“Ron Stacker Thompson has spent the past three decades building a reputation for himself as a stellar director, producer, writer and performer,” The Chronicle said. A member of the screenwriting faculty at NCSA, Thompson has numerous films to his credit, including SISTER ACT 2, DEEP COVER and A RAGE IN HARLEM.  He won an NAACP Image Award for THE BOY WHO PAINTED CHRIST BLACK and a Cable Ace Award for HBO’s AMERICA’S DREAM. Also active in the theatre, Thompson “has directed several productions that have been staged at the National Black Theatre Festival, including 1991’s ‘Tracks!’ and 1999’s ‘Steppin’ Into Tomorrow,’” The Chronicle noted.  

The Chronicle, known as “The Choice for African-American News,” is published every Thursday by Winston-Salem Chronicle Publishing Co. Inc.  Its offices are located at 617 N. Liberty St., Winston-Salem. Ernest Pitt is the publisher and co-founder.

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