Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1918-04-27
Lincoln Theatre Is
Unique Playhouse.

The name Of Abraham Lincoln is
rcrpctuatcd in The Lincoln Theatre
in this city in whose honor it is
named. The theatre which is one of
tho most interesting little playhouscs
II the country, is living up to the
sririt of the great emancipation i'll
that the theatre is seeking to omen
: up to the colorcd performer an outlet
for his talent, where he will have an
opportunity TO show to some advan-
tagc the latent and pcnt up talent
which can be found in the Negro race
; From this house have gone many
Of the foremost performers of the
Negro race who received and caught
their first inspiration from Lincoln
audience. and who were moved and
inspired to do more in the line for
which they are striving.
The organizer Of the Lincoln, is
Mrs. Maria G. Downs, Il business-like
woman who felt that the colored
people of Harlem, where lives the
bulk of the Negro population, ought
| to have some place where they might
spend profitable hour in recreation,
and as the result it began as n mo-
| ton picture house in 1907.
She soon outgrcw this phase of the
| work and Mrs. Downs saw an oppor-
: tunlty where real community
|, theatre could be built as tho result
she had built new structure which
was completed as one of the most
modern playhouSeS in the country
/, The theatre was dedicated several
years ago as marking Il new epoch
in the l'fe Of the colorcd people OF
, this city, and in the theatre several
interesting things have developed
making for the economic betterment
of the colored performer.
The present school of new Negro
acting marking the entrance of the
Negro in the legitimate drama dates
it's beginning from tho Lincoln, when
Mrs. Downs saw the wisdom of giving
to talented men and women an OPP
portunity to show their ability along
distinct lines.
y number of ambitious young men
and women, who have written Race
dramas have been encouraged by
Mrs. Downs and given an opportunity
to have them produced by east OF
young performers making thnjr first
stage debut. The house employs M
orchestra of cOlOrcd women, and all
OF the uShcrS, stage hands and other
employees are Negroes. Over $1,000
Is paid into the hands OF these en-
p'oEccS each week, which is doing
much for the economic and industrial
support Of The Negro in this city.
The Lincoln theatre is an interest
ing center ami is perhaps one Of the
NEST unique ,iayhOuSe5 in The world.
Recently $4,000 pipe organ was
Installed in the house which is used
in connection with the motion pic
lures. This produces dcli@htful
eject and adds much 10 the pleasure
Of those who attend the Lincoln nor
tGllMancrs,
Mrs, Downs has developed Il most
interesting experiment and the Lin
coin Is now part OF the life Of the
coiorcd people Of Harlem. In short
1t is a real community theatre.
Lafayette Players on Tour.
The Lafayette Coiored Players,
FROM the Lafayette Theatre made up
Of one Of the most talented aggrcga-
tons Of performers in the country,
and who for the past two years have
been producing with tremendous
success some Of the most notable
dramas written, started out last
Monday on the first Of their tours to
cover the principal cities Of the coun-
try, presenting some Of the dramas,
including Madame X, The Knife ana
the latest Of their triumphs, Faust.
They will open in Chicago where
they VII remain for one week, clos
ing with Faust. The appearance OF
the players throughout the country
will doubtless be greeted with great
success because they marked the
entrance Of the Negro into Il new
school Of acting. The success that
has come to them in this unique and
interesting field has made history for
the Negro and has made an enduring
contribution to art.
The new school gives to the tai
cntcd men and women OF the race
an opportunity to express latent and
pcnt-up talent and opened up a new
avenue for the ambitious members
OF the race.
Appearing with tho company will
be seen well known people like Abbie
Mitchell, j. Frances Mores, William
Townsend, Charles Olden and many
others. The Lafayette Theatre in
this city is one Of the most interest
ing centcrs in America from which