The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-08-14
Harrison Theatre To
Portray Negro Life

This week IL was announced tnat
Incorporation has just been COM
pleted for a new institutional the
stre, devoted particularly TO plays
rejecting the life OF the American
Negro and utilizing the talents OF
Negro actors. dancers and singers
Honoring the much-loved Negro
actor. Richard B. Harrison - de
Lawd" OF Green Pastures - the
new theatre is called the Harrison
theatre.
The new project is built along
strictly professional and democratic
lines. offering a permanent organi-
cation in New York, through which
to present the bes, professional tai
ents among all races, Plans call for
two productions year and already
leading actors are accoclated with
the theatre.
Daniel Reed, known on Broad
way as actor. director and drama
tist the was the dramatist OF BLACK
April" and Scarlet Sister Nary,
has been chosen as president OF the
new organization and its producing
director.
Anne Mercer. the young Negro
playwright, who had long expert
ence as a teacher in the South and,
after that, on the business staff OF
the Federal Theatre in Harlem, is
the founder OF the project, which
has been in preparation for over q
year. She will serve as its secre-
;ary-treasurer and managing direc-
tor.
Rene NJ. Hay. veteran organiza-
tional executive, is the vice presi-
dent and business manager.
The first production is contem.
plated for the fall with the second
to follow in January. Several plays
are under consideration and final
choice has not yet been made.
AS stated BY its young founder,
Anne Mercer. the Harrison theatre
is theatre Of all people, regardless
OF race or age Among the perma-
nent institutional plans are a studio
FOR training OF hopeful talents and
Children's theatre. producing
plays with and for children. II viii!
be remembered that one OF Mr.
Daniel Reeds best known achieve
men;s was the Chi,dren's theatre
connected with the Town theatre
in Columbia, South Carolina. oil
which ne was the foCnder-director
This is now one OF the ranking
community theatres OF the country
ard one OF the oldest still TO sur
v!Ve)
The executive board Is consider.
ng plays o, wide variety OF types
II will be a policy OF the Harrison
theatre 10 present PLAYS reflectini
| American life and folk lore. botl
historical and contemporary. par
:icularly those. which present tn,
American Negro with dignity anc
: honesty. Blu: every effort will b.
made IN the showmsnship OF the
project 10 show the full race cul.
;ure OF the Negro-inciuding there.
fore singing and dancing with
drama Il VIII necessarily be lyric
theatre.
an addition. il Will offer special
events like concerts and studio pro-
auctions slons with the run OF its
major productions.
The organ.zational plan offers an
unique and democratic innovation
n ence-participstion. II is 3
theatre OF many little angels.
Stock, which can be bought for $40
a share. entities the holder 10 re.
served seats al performances OF the
two regular productions and sdmis-
SION 10 studio productions. In short
a stock certificate is also a series
i.eket OF admission. Membership is
II no sense, limited 10 Negroes.
The present lists include leaders
among both whites and Negroes in.
;e.estcd in seeing a permanent pro-
'essional outlet established for the
great theatre talent among Negroes
interested alsotin a theatre that
Will honestly reflect Negro life in
mis- country.