The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1921-12-24
Presentation of Play Before Delegates
Significant

Sigmhcant
The presentation OF the play befor,
the delegates to the Arms Conference
was of significant importance to the
reputation and standing of the Negro
race as it pictured to them something
of the cultural aspects of the life Of
the Colored people in this country;
The Howard University Department
| of Dramatic Arts was enthusiastically
supported by the administrative Of
fcials of the University, Dr. Durkee,
President, and DIR. Scott, Secretary
Treasurer, in its effort to present the
Colored people in a favorable light to
the delegates to the World Confer
ence. The special program included
musical and dramatic features. In
addition to the nearly one hundred
official guests, the chapel was crowded
to its doors by the representative
citizens Of Washington, both white
and colored.
Creative and Original Aspects of
Racial Life Featured
The program was arranged so as to
impress upon the foreign delegates the
creative and original aspects of our
racial life in its significant contribu-
tons to American civilization. The
feature of the evening was the won
derful presentation of the great spirit
ual race-drama, Simon, the Cyrenian,"
written by Ridgley Terrence for the
Negro Theatre. The play powerfully
paints the tragic scene where Simon,
the great African insurrecto. while
refusing to rescue the Christ by force
from his Roman captors at the instiga-
ton of Procula, wife of Plate, yet
does relieve the stricken Son of God
from the deadly burden OF the Cross
and bears it himself up Calvary to the
place of crucihxion. Thus the play
had a special significance because it
stressed the Negroes message of peace
and divine love to the world. The
work of the Howard Players is. now
nationally established, but individual
honor must be given to the members
of the cast. Helen Webb as Procula,
Ottie Graham as Acte, Horace Scott
as Drusus, Henry Owens as Brattus,
Frazier Miller as Barrabas, Harold
Bledsoe as the Centurion. Julian
as Longinus, John Broadnax, Aston
Burleigh, and August Torrance as the
Knockers; Elnora Mcintyre, Roberta
Dabney, Portia Whitfield, Gladys Tins
ley, Alberta Epps, Dorothy Gillian,
Ethel Jones and Mamie Neal as at
tendants; and William Creme and J.
Hoffman as legionaries. The players
possess a remarkable gifted and YER
satile artist in Ottie Graham, who be-
sides her exceptional acting gave a
thrilling Interpretation of Nathaniel
Dett's "Juba Dance" with. Mr.. Dett
at the piano. The University GIee
Club under the direction of Professor
Roy w. Tibbs, rendered an effective
musical program, shown = evolu-
ton of Negro music fror the pure
folk-song type such as Ron, Jordan,
Roll, Swing Low, and Steal Away, to
the compositions of our latest com |
posers, Harry 7. Burleigh, Nathaniel
Dett, Montague Ring and Coieridge-i
Taylor. The singing of the quartette
and the solo work Of R. A. Thorutoa !
won pronounced applause from the
audience. The rendition of Beethoven's |
Adagio by the Associated Musicians |
called forth the special praise of the |
Star.
University Chapel Converted Into
~ Little Theatre"
The University Chapel had been ar
istically converted into Little Thea
re with perfectly appointed stage.
The charming procenium and the
oeautiful scenery were the work Of the
players themselves under the personal
Erection Of Thomas ]. Hopkins. The
'ery effective costumes were designed ]