The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1921-05-28
THEATRICAL MAGAZINE
MAKES DISCOVERY OF me-
GRO PROGRESS.
The Billboard From its COL
umn Devoted to Negro Play
erS Gets Much Information.
(By A. N. P.)

New York City, N. Y. May 10
The Billboard. commenting on its ap-
pOintment of J. A. Jackson on its edi-
torial, staff prints. the following:
when the publisher of The Bill
board inaugurated Jackson's page in
the interest of the Colored artist and
his employer. many regarded the
move as being visionary, as entering
field devoid Of possibilities
This seemed true, because few, even
IN the amusement business were aware
of tremendous artistic and financial
strides that had been made in this
particular fiel in the past decade
The first six months of cultivation
In this phase Of theatrical enterprises
has isclSosed the following interesting
on the desk of the Editor:
81 picture houses, nine Of which are
equipped for shows
1I2 theatres, playing vaudeville, road
shows and pictures.
112 are owned by white persons five
of these managed by Negro managers.
"A are owned and managed by Ne
groes,
II the race Of the management has
not been ascertained.
OF total of 200, 81 are connect
ed with organized circuits.
In addition to these interests
there has, come to the attention
II film companies. producing pictures
with Negro casts. Seven Of these
are owned by Negroes.
3 parks in five different states have
communicated with the editor of
the page as have four fair asso-
ciatiOnS
Al theatrical companies and twelve
companies with carnivals are list
ed on the desk.
80 bands and orchestras. IL booking
agencies and professional clubs
are listed in the files; so are 5
Medicine men. scene PAINTERS, COM
posers, authors modIstes advance
agents. and singers are among
these folks.
10 vaudeville and burlesque actors
have approved the page by letter
or personal calls. These repre-
sented more than 500 partners or
associates in their respective acts.
On n recent trip across seven
States, going as far South as Chat
tanOoga and as far West as Chicago,
377 COiored performers and S57 musi-
clans of the race were encountered.
OF the 10i papers, many holding
franchises in the Associated Negro
Press, 80 were found to have estab-
lished theatrical departments in some
page and in two notable papers of the
race three pages are devoted to the
amusement interests. These are the
Chicago Defender and the Indianapo-
lis Freeman.
with the rumors and tips that con-
stitute a veritable mass of incomplete
information yet to be developed, there
is little doubt that the biggest sur
prise of the amusement business Is
probably Ito be found IN the quiet
advance Of the Negro in all phases
/ of the business.
six Negro banks, two insurance
companies of the race. Three reality
corporations are so far dissolved as
being Interested in properties de-
voted to amusement enterprises.
There is little wonder that an ,oc-
casional artist astonishes the public
when on considers this little know
BACKGROUND from which he energies in
search Of the greater" audience.
The capital. business organization
dramatic schools and talent hereto
indeed full of fruitful possibilities
and news values. w
When more complete these lists VIII
be published for the benefit of those
who may find them of interest"