Scope and arrangement
The Novella Nelson papers, dated 1943 to 2017, reflect the multi-faceted career of Novella Nelson as an actor, singer and director. The collection holds Correspondence, Subject Files, Writings by Nelson, Photographs, Scores and Sheet Music, Scripts, Printed Matter, Educational Files, poetry, photographs, scores, scripts, printed matter, and Sound Recordings.
The General Correspondence Files and the Subject Files reflect the individuals who were friends, creative performance artists, and fans.
The Subject Files are arranged alphabetically by name, and feature frequent correspondents including Ilunga Adelle (television producer and actor), George Blanchard (ex-husband, lighting and stage director), Duke Ellington School of the Arts (Nelson agreed to be a commencement speaker), and Nikki Giovanni (poet and director). Nelson's work helping others is documented in the Art at Argus files, a 1970's community-based program in the South Bronx whereas Nelson and painter Jose Padilla developed the artistic talent of children during the deterioration of the South Bronx. The Public Theatre files reflect Nelson's work as artistic director for the New York Shakespeare Film Festival during the first half of the 1970s. Much of the material was directed to Joseph Papp about the Festival's operations. Another subject of interest is the preparation and release of Nelson's self-titled album.
The Writings are mostly poetry and musings by Nelson. These daily introspective writings are a mixture of narrative and poetic. During the 1970's, Nelson wrote insightful thoughts on a daily basis which were not as frequent in later years. There are overlapping dates and the arrangement is not in strict chronological order. Other writings include Nelson's daybooks or notebooks used to jot down notes, numbers, or ideas. There is also a congratulatory book with compliments from well-wishers for the production Having Our Say directed by Nelson in 1995.
The bulk of the Photographs are black and white commercial prints. The photographs are of Nelson from high school to her career as a professional actor and singer. A group of photographs titled "Events, Films and Theatrical Productions" extensively document Nelson's work in Boesman and Lena, Digging Eleven, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf, The Little Foxes, Oedipus (Nelson was hoisted above the stage), A Perfect Murder, Purlie, A Raisin in the Sun, and South Pacific. There are also images present from Nelson's extensive singing engagements.
A scrapbook created by Nelson highlights her work during the 1960s and 1970s. This includes the 1965 production In White America, a performance which garnered many positive reviews.
The Scores and Sheet Music files reflect Nelson's career as a musician. These files hold many of the songs that she sang in productions or in musical performances. Nelson collaborated with other musicians, most prominently with Phil Moore (1918-1987), a Jazz pianist, arranger, and conductor. Moore collaborated on her album Novella Nelson.
The Scripts and Writings by Others is a small section that holds scripts of productions that Nelson performed, directed, or were sent to her for review.
Printed Matter is arranged into four groups: Playbills and Promotional Materials, Novella Nelson in Concert, Reviews, and Posters. The Playbills and Promotional Materials cover several decades of Nelson's work in small theatres, Broadway, Off-Broadway, regional theatre, and abroad. The playbills include Big White Fog (performed in London), Bailey's Café, Boesman and Lena, Brothers and Keepers, The Cider House Rules, The Crucible, Les Femmes Noires, Five Rooms Of Furniture, The Life Of Henry the V, The Odyssey, Purlie, A Raisin in the Sun, and The Root Woman. The files also document workshops, readings, and other events where Nelson was invited to present.
The Educational Files hold Nelson's education materials from grammar school through college. Of interest is "The Eastern Senior" yearbook in which Nelson indicates that her career goal was to be a biochemist at Brooklyn College (Page 29), playbills, and a diploma from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
The sound recordings include a tribute to Nelson for the production A Raisin in the Sun, and a recording of the song "Heading For Nowhere" by Jack Segal and Marvin Fisher.
Be advised, several titles listed here include words that can be harmful and offensive.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into the following groups: Correspondence, Subject Files, Writings by Nelson, Scores and Sheet Music, Scripts, Printed Matter, and Education Files.