The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1939-07-29
II A Il Z e N
RACE CAPITAL of THE NATION"
By FLOYD C. SNELSON

NEW YORK

all, and as matter of fact l am forced
to produce on schedule with amateurs
who work eight hours daily in irrelated
fields and are only able to meet three
times weekly for training.
Race Theatre of Tomorrow.
Harlem, with its immense citizenry
OF 100000 colored people has several
| theatre movements with commendable
programs, and the Rose McClendon
Players have found their niche among
the theatre-minded elements who pro-
pose to found a Community Theatre.
In so doing we produced two one-act
and three full length plays last season
and inaugurated Subscription Sys-
tenn which was responded to by tor
ranking citizens. More than 5000
people viewed the productions and
something of Little Theatre record
was established with a run of II con-
secutive performances of our last
play, ga Right Angle Triangle"
This year we shall give opportuni-
ties to five young colored playwrights
by presenting their plays in our work
shop. These young authors will be
well assured of a sizable audience be-
cause OF the current subscription cam
palgn for the 1939-40 season which is
well under way, and from all indica
lions will treble last years number
Comes the Revolution
On all fronts the Harlem nubIic
is demanding better theatre fare from
the colored actor, and the excuse that
suitable material is not available will
no longer be tolerated. The Race
theatre will not die if we give Young
colored playwrights chance. Thev
represent the life and blood of our
theatre. Trouble is, we have been
anemic. We appeared to be in good
condition but there was no reserve.
we were too busy pointing out the
successes" on Broadway which al
ways, and inevitably, featured certain
leading personalities in roles which
were obnoxious to colored patrons
Likewise the cOlored press has been
so arduous in promoting these stars
that their vehicles that propagandize
only one side of our life, that thew have
failed to encourage new movements
and new blood. 20
Race Theatre-What Next?
from all indications it seems that
next season will sally forth with a
repetition of all that has gone on
before. There will be more "Hot
Mlkados" and more "Mamba's Dauph-
ters.' Already they are brewing some
thlng for Maxine Sullivan out of mid
summer Nights Dream" and nobody
less than Paul Robson is BEING
groomed for "John Henry" Iegendarv
colored character who became kino Of
the cotton fields and finally king of the
railways. Mr.. Robson SAYS at will
give me the chance of my life" 7
might add that it will probably do moro
tnan anything else to satiate tbe
Nordic desire of seeing the black man
rejected as they would have him. IF
Mr.. Robson is elated over his now
script, it is nothing compared 70 tbo
optimism OF the New York Amster-
gam 1S News this week who claims that
MI mr. Robeson's acceptance of the role
Drought Jubilation to the hearts Of
Harlem and Broadway" Perhans
broadway is jubilant but I am NOT 81
sure about Harlem. | defy the Am
sIerdam News to take a fair polI NJ
the type of shows that Harlem wants
20 see III bet my shirt that the
KING OF the cottonfields" or "John
Henry tl type will produce less votes
White Man Boss
Yes, my friends, the colored "natur-
ais Will be with us again next season.
they will star bigger and better actors
IN bigger and better Uncle Tom roles
and all the little actors will gather 70
oask in reflected glory and pay HOMAGE
to these celebrities" Notwithstand-
ing this sad situation say in all seri-
BUSINESS that the colored actor. great