In its 19-year history, the NAACP Theatre Awards have always exalted stories that embody the evolution of African-American portrayals on stage. During ceremonies held Monday night at the Directors Guild of America, a wealth of Black talent returned the favor by honoring a host organization that is celebrating its centennial.

“The NAACP is historic in itself, so when you’re honored for a piece about … history — the story of the Tuskegee Airmen — it gives it an extra punch,” said actor Thom Scott, after he and the cast of “Black Angels Over Tuskegee” took home the award for Best Ensemble Cast: Local. “The NAACP paved the way for so many of us, just as the Tuskegee Airmen did. … They stood up for all of us long before we had an African-American president. So does this award have more significance because it’s 2009? Yes, it does.”

Hosted by Loretta Devine and Terry Crews, the awards show stage, and audience, overflowed with household names known around the world. Among those participating in the ceremony or simply enjoying the festivities were Eric Benet, Hattie Winston, James Avery, Debbie Allen, Ben Guillory, Louis Gossett Jr., Wendy Raquel Robinson, Henry Simmons, Tamala Jones, Jimmy Jean Louis, Niecy Nash, Elise Neal, Karimah Westbrook and Camille Winbush.

In the realm of public service, Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard Parks was honored with the 2009 President’s Award for his support of the NAACP and the arts.

Actress Audra McDonald, who received the 2009 Trailblazer Award, said she took pride in being among so many inspiring people — each of whom she considered a trailblazer in their own right.

“It’s because of other trailblazers that I am here,” she said in an interview following the awards show. “It’s because of the NAACP, and a lot of other trailblazers, who are responsible for me to be able to do what I do. They opened the doors for me, so to be considered a trailblazer in an honor. … This award says to me, that I’m not done.”

Tichina Arnold, recipient of the 2009 Spirit Award, was introduced by Allen as a performer whose “heart never leaves the stage,” despite the fame she has achieved for her work on the television sitcoms “Martin” and “Everybody Hates Chris.”

After singing her acceptance speech (“I sang my speech because I’ve been doing theater all my life — it felt right,” she explained later), Arnold told The Wave that the NAACP Theatre Awards “represent the reality that there is a lot of theater in L.A. People just don’t know about it. … I love it because it represents recognition, humility and hard work.”

Meanwhile, backstage, actor Hal Williams said he had never before seen such deep enthusiasm for Black theater in L.A.

“I just came back from the National Black Theatre Festival in North Carolina, and I have to say that I’ve never seen people more enthused about coming to L.A. for this event,” he said. “It’s an amazing night that proves that Black theater is on the rise, that there is tremendous support here. … I’ve been around for long enough to know that there has always been an abundance of talent in this town, just no place to display it. That’s changed.”

On receiving the 2009 Community Service Award, Pasadena Playhouse Artistic Director Sheldon Epps agreed that growing enthusiasm for theater arts is important, because “the making of theater — good theater — takes a village. … I’ve made it my mission to return the community to the theater.”

A full list of the night’s winners can be found online at www.bhwdnaacptheatreawards.com. But for Felicia Edwards, who purchased tickets to the event for herself and her daughter, it was important to witness the festivities firsthand.

“I brought my daughter,” a student at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, “because I thought it was the right time for her to be exposed, from an African-American perspective, to what’s going on with theater in L.A.,” Edwards said. “My job as a parent is to support her if she wants to be an actress, so I figured this would be a peek into the world of theater up close, something she doesn’t always see on TV or film. It’s so inspirational to see that I was right.”

Those fortunate enough to be in the house were reminded that even as they make strides all the way to the White House, African-Americans must remain vigilant in the sharing of their history. “If we don’t write our stories, then who is going to write them?” asked Nilaja Sun, who took home trophies for Best Playwright and Best Lead Female: Equity for the one-woman show “No Child …”

“We must,” Sun insisted. “If we don’t, we can’t blame others for not doing it. They don’t know our stories. … We have to remember, that if no one writes it, others won’t know it. … That’s what [the late playwright] August Wilson believed. He didn’t just see reality, he saw beautiful stories. It was our history.”