Rodney Gilbert (July 27, 1967 - November 8, 2017) was the founder and CEO of Yendor Productions, a Newark-based firm that consults, develops, and produces arts education programming and events. Yendor Productions was founded in 2003 to meet the challenges for the under served artists and communities. Mr. Gilbert has worked in professional theatre for over thirty years. He was a graduate of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where he earned a BFA.  He served the arts community through acting instruction for various institutions and organization as one of the leading teaching artists in the tri-state area. He oversaw the theatre program for Newark Public Schools, Extended Day and served as the lead teacher and liaison to its Drew University Theatre partnership for which he co-created the curriculum. At Drew University he was an Adjunct Professor for the Theatre Department teaching acting, directing, and introduction of speech with a focus on extemporaneous speaking.  He was an Arts Educator for the Kennedy Centers’ Wolftrap program here in NJ, as well as the Director of the Writers program for Playwrights Theater. He developed for Yendor Productions the afterschool arts education program “ZOOM” for the city of Newark.

He was the Senior Program Manager for the Newark Murals Program, for which Yendor is the Lead Arts organization that manages this program. He has developed numerous workshops on arts education including symposiums for Steve Adabato’s Stand and Deliver program, developing their curriculum. He has conducted workshops as far as Johannesburg, South Africa. Mr. Gilbert was also a member of the Actors Equity Association, a Leadership Newark Fellow, and an Audelco Award Nominee. He was recently presented with an Award in Civic Engagement by Drew University.

In Memoriam:

• Queer Newark Oral History Project Tribute to Rodney Gilbert
• Program from his service at NJPAC on November 17, 2017
• "Newark Mourns Rodney Gilbert, Arts Community Giant," Patch, November 9, 2017
• Drew University's Note
• Legacy.com tributes
• Interview by Essex County College Students for Newark Celebration 350
• Press Release for Street Naming and Mural Unveiling

Photo credit: Tamara Fleming Photography