John O'Neal papers

Collection

Identifier: 279

Staff Only

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; literature; and community organizing.

O'Neal's papers contain the working notes for the development of the Free Southern Theater, which includes the general plan for the theater group, project planning, and other writings related to theater productions. The papers also include an array of correspondence, brochures, flyers, newsletters, news clippings, press releases, position papers, pamphlets, field reports, and committee meeting minutes, notebooks, writings, and collected publications. The bulk of the theater files highlight Black arts theater groups in the South, as well as other ethnic theater groups O'Neal contributed to as a playwright, director, and performer.

Dates

Created: 1927-1999
Other: Majority of material found in 1970-1989
Other: Date acquired: 02/01/1983

Creator

O’Neal, John, 1940-2019 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The John O'Neal papers are open and available for research use; however, specific financial records for the Free Southern Theater are currently restricted. Audiovisual materials stored offsite. Please contact Reference Services Department of the Amistad Research Center for inquiries at (504) 362-3222.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright to these papers has not been assigned to the Amistad Research Center. It is the responsibility of an author to secure permission for publication from the holder of the copyright to any material contained in this collection.

Extent

25.94 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement Note

The John O'Neal papers are arranged into nine series: Correspondence and Other Materials; Civil Rights Organizations; Community Organizations: Theater Groups; Writing; University Files; Photographs; Memorabilia, News Clippings, and Publications; and Oversized Items and Audiovisual Materials.

Source of Acquisition

John O'Neal

Method of Acquisition

Gift

Appraisal Information

The John O'Neal papers encompass material related to the southern civil rights movement, the Black theater movement, and community activism in New Orleans.

Accruals and Additions

There were three additions to the John O'Neal papers received in 1987, 2004, and 2005.

Related Materials

The John O'Neal papers are related to the Free Southern Theater records, Junebug Productions records, Nkombo Publications records, and the Tom Dent papers held at the Amistad Research Center.