subj23. Holdings related to Theater and Drama

Scope and Contents This collection documents the literary production and intergroup collaboration of Nkombo Publications, one of the best-organized and most active groups affiliated with the Southern extension of the Black Arts Movement. These records include outgoing and incoming correspondence, published and unpublished manuscripts from both well-known and lesser-known poets of the Black Arts Movement, collected publications and ephemera, and financial documents. The records span the late 1960s and early...

Scope and Contents The papers highlight the personal and professional life of John M. O'Neal, Jr. The John O'Neal papers consist of 25.94 linear feet and document O'Neal's artistic style and vision as an African American actor, director, playwright, and community and civil rights activist. The papers are of interest for studying the southern Black Arts Movement and more specifically the Black Theater Movement; the Free Southern Theater; the Civil Rights Movement; voter rights registration; race relations;...

Content Description The colletion contains two copies of a working draft of a script, Esteban, by Robert L. Pierce, one bound in spiral binding. The original text of Esteban is by Fred Myers, and the original score is by Lucas Estrade. The draft relates to the Black explorer, also known as Estevanico or Esteban the Moor, who was the first trans-Atlantic explorer into what is now the southwestern United States. The operatic play is in three acts...

Scope and Contents The papers of singer, actress, and teacher Isabel Washington Powell document her career in show business, her marriage to Adam Clayton Powell Jr, and her later teaching career in New York City public schools. The collection is .2 linear feet and dates from 1929-1981. It includes correspondence, news clippings, a scrapbook, photographs, and other miscellaneous items pertaining to Powell's life and work. The correspondence in the collection dates from 1966-1981; therefore, none of...

Content Description

Printed history and promotional ephemera for Sparkle Theater Production Company. Also included are a video recording and script (on computer disc) for their production "Together Again."

Scope and Contents The Lillian Welch Voorhees papers consist of 21.7 linear feet of items typical of the life of a 20th century educator. The collection also reflects Voorhees's literary and theatrical interests with examples of her own writings, as well as those of her students. Correspondence, 1900-1973 (ca. 8450 items), comprises the largest part of Voorhees's papers. Her literary efforts, 1907-71, are another large section. These include bibliographies; articles; a fragmentary autobiography and...

Scope and Contents The papers of actress, dancer, and activist Fredi Washington measure 2.14 linear feet. The collection, dating from 1925-1979, documents her stage and film career, her writings on theater, and her professional work in supporting African American actors and actresses. It contains correspondence, photographs, news clippings, honors and awards, scripts, and a scrapbook. Approximately one hundred items of correspondence from 1933 to 1979 are contained in the collection. The...

Content Description The Bert A. Williams collection contains material and memorabilia collected by Thelma J. Goode of Mobile, Alabama, on early African American entertainer Bert A. Williams. Included are two photographs of Williams, newspaper and magazine clippings about Williams, a typescript list of compositions by Williams, as well as the cover of sheet music for the song "Oh! I Don't Know, You're Not So Warm!" with a picture of Williams. Both photographs are undated, but likely taken in the 1910s; one is...