Found 13 collections related to African American actresses

Actress, teacher. First wife of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. News clippings related to Powell's appearance in the plays "Bamboola," 1929, "Harlem," 1929, and "Singin' the Blues." Additional clippings refer to her engagement and marriage to Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., 1930s. Several letters deal with her work as a public school teacher, speaker, and Jimmy Carter supporter. less

Actress, singer, poet, playwright. Private secretary to actor Leigh Whipper. Davis' scrapbooks include news clippings relating to Davis' career as a performer; and plays, fables, poems, jokes and gags written by Davis. Also, musical compositions consisting of photocopies of music, 1948-1974; and a scrapbook about Leigh Whipper containing news clippings and other printed material, 1978. less

Florence Mills (1886-1927), world renowned entertainer during the 1920s. She starred in Lew Leslie's Plantation Revue and Blackbirds after a successful run as the lead in Shuffle Along. Collection contains personal papers that include biographical information and letters; and professional papers, including letters, contracts and printed materials. less

Rose McClendon was one of the most famous black dramatic actresses of the 1920s and 1930s. Although she did not become a professional actor until she was in her thirties, she consistently won critical acclaim for many of her acting roles and influenced the careers of many aspiring black actors of the period. less

The collection contains a diversity of materials which document Browne's personal and professional life. The personal papers include biographical materials consisting of her birth certificate, last will and testament, and medical records as well as letters from artistic friends Jester Hairston (actor), Langston Hughes (poet), James Weldon Johnson (educator and poet) and Lois Mailou Jones (visual artist). Browne's family papers are also contained within her personal papers. These files include correspondence, military records (1916-1940, scattered) and death certificates for her cousin Walter Scott Cowen. The documents making up her professional papers primaraly reflect her artistic career. Files include correspondence, writings which include poems, short stories and plays she performed (many of which were sent to her by the artists, and printed materials consisting of programs and clippings (mainly featuring the Boston Players and Marie Joe Browne's solo performances). There are also awards and certificates that principally document Browne's service to St. Mary's County school system. less

Hilda Simms (1920-1994) was an actress best known for playing the title role in the American Negro Theater production of Anna Lucasta that moved successfully to Broadway in 1944. Her acting career also included film, television, and radio broadcasts. The Hilda Simms papers date from the 1930s to 1994 (bulk dates 1940s-1950s) and document her career as an actress; her work on creative arts and drug treatment programs in New York; and her personal life. less

The Allan W. McMillan Public Relations Files document the public relations work McMillan did on behalf of his clients. The collection consists primarily of information he maintained about his clients, most of whom were in the entertainment business. Nearly all the clients were individuals, but he also represented events sponsored by organizations. Client files include newspaper and magazine clippings of articles and advertisements for the performers, promotional flyers and postcards, itineraries, resumes, correspondence and contracts, press releases, notes about the clients, photograph captions, and a few layouts McMillan prepared. less

Hilda Haynes (1912-1986) was a stage, screen and television actress whose career spanned almost forty years. Haynes was born and raised in New York City, and became an actress during the early 1940s. She studied and performed with the American Negro Theatre during the 1940s and 1950s; was a member of the Negro Actors Guild; and performed in "The River Niger" (Negro Ensemble Company) during its national tour, 1973-74; as well as in several Broadway and Off-Off Broadway shows, films and television programs. The Hilda Haynes papers consists of biographical material, including a transcript of an oral history interview, journals and scrapbooks. There are also speeches and other writings, scripts and reviews of theatrical productions Haynes appeared in; and scrapbooks of reviews and other articles, telegrams and letters. In addition to performing in plays and films, Haynes also did dramatic readings, many of which were written for her by Langston Hughes. The poetry, scripts and other materials from which she read during those readings are also in the collection. less

The Kenn Freeman Papers, 1930-1988 document Freeman's life as an actor, singer/dancer, writer/director, and costume and set designer. The collection consists of three series; Personal Papers, Professional Papers, and Family Papers, and include correspondence, programs, flyers, contracts, writings, scripts, sheet music, scrapbooks, and autograph albums. Correspondence between Kenn and Bea Freeman forms an important part of both the Personal Papers and Family Papers series. The letters show the close personal and professional relationship between mother and son. The bulk of the correspondence covers the years, 1937 to 1950, and was written primarily during the years Kenn was in the United States Navy or in England or when either of them was on tour with a production. less

The Alice Childress papers document Alice Childress's career as a writer and actress, and her activities in the theatre for five decades in New York City. The Personal Papers series includes correspondence, an oral history conducted by Ann Shockley, Childress's FBI file, diaries, calendars, interviews, educational materials, family letters, files for her two husbands, and biographical information about Childress. Significant correspondents include writers Kay Bourne, Harold (Hal) Courlander and Susan Koppleman. less

Louise Evans Briggs-Hall (1921-1992), born in St. Louis, Missouri was the first African-American woman to become a member of the United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829 in the early 1950s. She began her career directing children's theatre with the Children's Theatre of Evanston, the Thalian Society and the Chicago Park District. She later added stage scenic production, costume and lighting design to her list of accomplishments. Considered an African-American pioneer in the field of costume and set design, Briggs-Hall also directed theatrical productions such as "The Life We Live" and was designer and technical director for productions such as "As You Like It" and "George Washington Slept Here.". The Louise Evans Briggs-Hall Theatre Collection consists of funeral programs (1992), playbills, flyers, and reviews for productions directed and designed by Briggs-Hall. Additionally, there are materials that relate to the United Scenic Artists' Costume Designer's exam (1952-1954), and various identification cards, some relating to her professional memberships. less

Maya Angelou (1928-2014) was one of the most renowned and celebrated voices in American literature. The Maya Angelou papers consist of original manuscripts, computer generated typescripts, galleys, and proofs of published work as well as manuscripts for unpublished work and dozens of poems. Additionally, there is personal and professional correspondence, teaching files, printed matter, and materials from public and academic appearances and engagements. less