- unitid
-
{"value"=>"21053", "type"=>"local_mss"}
{"value"=>"Sc MG 579", "type"=>"local_call"}
{"value"=>"b18169610", "type"=>"local_b"}
- unitdate
-
{"value"=>"1956-1996", "type"=>"inclusive", "normal"=>"1956/1996"}
- unittitle
-
{"value"=>"Lawrence James papers"}
- physdesc
-
{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"2 boxes", "unit"=>"containers"}, {"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"0.63 linear feet", "unit"=>"linear_feet"}]}
- repository
-
{"value"=>"<span class=\"corpname\">Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division</span>"}
- langmaterial
-
{"value"=>"English"}
- origination
-
{"value"=>"James, Lawrence, 1935-", "type"=>"persname"}
- bioghist
-
{"value"=>"<p>Actor and director Lawrence James (born Edward Lawrence in 1935) is a graduate of the Studio Theater School in Buffalo, New York. While still a student there he appeared in <span class=\"title\">A Raisin in the Sun</span> (1963) with Claudia McNeil. Subsequently, he became a member of Buffalo's Studio Arena Theater's first and only resident acting company. James was a member of the company for over two years, appearing in such productions as <span class=\"title\">Little Foxes</span> (1966) with Colleen Dewhurst.</p> <p>After working at Buffalo's African American Cultural Center's theater for several years as drama instructor, James became the executive director (1968-1976), using his given name of Edward Lawrence. He was a driving force in broadening programs for children and adults at the Center, and focused on supporting and promoting the Black experience to the Black community. He also continued to direct and perform in the theater's productions.</p> <p>After leaving the Center in 1976, James appeared in several Off-Broadway and regional productions. He spent two years in residence at New York City's Theater for the Forgotten under the CETA Arts Program, which sponsored performances of Shakespeare and the classics in New York City public high schools (1979-1980). His theatrical credits include <span class=\"title\">The Trial of Dr. Beck</span> (1981-1980), <span class=\"title\">Ma Rainey's Black Bottom</span> (1987-1988), <span class=\"title\">Joe Turner's Come and Gone</span> (1989), and <span class=\"title\">The Piano Lesson</span> (1992), with principal roles in <span class=\"title\">Fences</span> (1990-1991) and <span class=\"title\">Driving Miss Daisy</span> (1990). Lawrence has also appeared in several television dramas and films, including <span class=\"title\">Malcolm X</span> (1992), directed by Spike Lee, and <span class=\"title\">Manhattan</span> (1979).</p>"}
- scopecontent
-
{"value"=>"<p>The Lawrence James papers consist of personal and professional correspondence concerning his acting career, 1959-1995; contracts 1966-1994; production and rehearsal schedules; and theater programs, flyers, and news clippings pertaining to performances of <span class=\"title\">Fences</span> (1990), <span class=\"title\">Black Eagles</span> (1991), <span class=\"title\">Driving Miss Daisy</span>, <span class=\"title\">I'm Not Rappaport</span> (1990), and <span class=\"title\">Mr. Ricky Calls a Meeting</span> (1994), in which James appeared. Files on Buffalo's African American Cultural Center consist of correspondence, reports, news clippings, and programs relating to the Center's services, 1970-1976.</p>", "supress_display"=>true}
- acqinfo
-
{"value"=>"<p>Gift of Edward Lawrence, Sr., May 1996.</p>"}
- separatedmaterial
-
{"value"=>"<p>Transferred to the Photographs and Prints Division: photographs.</p>"}
- processinfo
-
{"value"=>"<p>Accessioned by Chandra Buie, May 1996.</p>"}
- revisiondesc
-
{"value"=>"Finding aid updated by Lauren Stark.", "date"=>"2022 February 17"}
- date_start
-
1956
- keydate
-
1956
- date_end
-
1996
- date_inclusive_start
-
1956
- date_inclusive_end
-
1996
- extent_statement
-
0.63 linear feet (2 boxes)
- prefercite
-
{"value"=>"[Item], Lawrence James papers, Sc MG 579, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, The New York Public Library"}
- abstract
-
{"value"=>" The Lawrence James papers consist of personal and professional correspondence concerning his acting career, 1959-1995; contracts 1966-1994; production and rehearsal schedules; and theater programs, flyers, and news clippings pertaining to performances of <span class=\"title\">Fences</span> (1990), <span class=\"title\">Black Eagles</span> (1991), <span class=\"title\">Driving Miss Daisy</span>, <span class=\"title\">I'm Not Rappaport</span> (1990), and <span class=\"title\">Mr. Ricky Calls a Meeting</span> (1994), in which James appeared. Files on Buffalo's African American Cultural Center consist of correspondence, reports, news clippings, and programs relating to the Center's services, 1970-1976.", "generated"=>true}