African American theater

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;...

Scope and Contents The papers of film and television actor, writer, and producer, Harold Sylvester, span over forty years, highlighting not only his career in Hollywood, but also his early theater work in New Orleans, Louisiana. Of note in the papers is Sylvester's participation as a player in the 1965 secret basketball game between the all-black St. Augustine High School team and the all-white Jesuit High School team in New Orleans. In addition, his time as the first African American basketball scholarship...