February 1, 1951

Miss Jane E. Hunter,
Phillips Wheatley Foundation,
2170 East 46th Street,
Cleveland 3, Ohio.

Dear Miss Hunter,

Thank you for your recent letter letting me know of the organization in Toledo of a chapter of the National Phillips Wheatley Foundation by Mrs. Goodloe. The fact that it bears my name is a very high honor to me indeed. I am humbly grateful to be associated with so worthy an organization. And certainly I will be happy to write a song with Mrs. Goodloe for the group. At the moment I am about to leave New York for a six weeks lecture tour of the deep South, but on my return I will get to work on the lyrics.

I was sorry not to have seen you when I had the pleasure of reading my poems at the Phillips Wheatley in Cleveland last winter, but you were away in the South.

All my continued good wishes to you in the carrying on of your work and interest in our young people and our race,

Folders sent to Joel Fluellen
and Frederick Lights.

THE NATIONAL PHILLIS WHEATLEY
FOUNDATION, Inc.

PLAY-WRITING CONTEST

2170 EAST 46th STREET • CLEVELAND 3, OHIO
JANE EDNA HUNTER, President-Director

Telephone UTah 1-3375

NATIONAL SPONSORS

Dr. J. A. Bacoats
Columbia, S. C.

Mr. Claude Barnett
Chicago, Illinois

Mrs. Mary McLeod Bethune
Daytona Beach, Florida

Miss Nannie H. Burroughs
Washington, D. C.

Mr. Allen Code
Seneca, S. C.

Mr. Roscoe Dunjee
Oklahoma City, Okla.

Mr. Truman K. Gibson
Chicago, Illinois

J. A. Gilkes, M.D.
Baltimore, Maryland

Mrs. Katherine Helm
Wichita, Kansas

Dr. Samuel R. Higgins
Columbia, S. C.

Judge Perry B. Jackson
Cleveland, Ohio

Hon. Proctor Patterson Jones
Los Trancos, California

Mrs. Daisy Lampkin
Pittsburgh, Pa.

Mr. Charles H. Mchoney
Detroit, Michigan

Mr. John F. Morning
Detroit, Michigan

Mr. Carl Murphy
Baltimore, Maryland

Mr. Alvin J. Neely
Tuskegee Institute, Ala.

Dr. F. D. Patterson
Tuskegee Institute, Ala.

Mrs. E. Washington Rhodes
Philadelphia, Pa.

Mrs. W. A. Scott
Atlanta, Ga.

Dr. J. J. Seabrooks
Orangeburg, S. C.

Mr. H. W. Sewing
Kansas City, Kansas

Mr. John H. Singstacke
Chicago, Illinois

Mr. H. W. Thompson
Pendleton, S. C.

Judge Lockwood Thompson
Cleveland, Ohio

Mrs. Robert L. Vann
Pittsburgh, Pa.

Dr. J. Finley Wilson
Washington, D. C.

August 1, 1951

Mr. Langston Hughes
Chicago Defender
Chicago, Illinois

Dear Mr. Hughes:

The enclosed column of July 22nd by Mr. William F. McDermott of the Cleveland Plain Dealer will introduce the subject about which we are writing to you.

The National Phillis Wheatley Foundation is promoting a drama contest and we are writing to ask if you will consent to serve as a judge in the adult competition. You will notice from the contest rules (a copy of which is also enclosed) that the competition is in two parts, one for high school age young people, and a full-length play competition for adults.

We hope sincerely that you will be interested and will agree to serve as a judge. We assure you that we are aware of the many demands on your time and we desire to keep this assignment from becoming burdensome to you. A screening committee here would weed out the plays and would plan to submit three for the judges. We will have a separate group of judges for the high school plays. We wish to attract thoughtful adult writers, thus are eager to have judges who will be competent to judge serious work.

Will you let us know at your earliest convenience if you will do us this favor and accept the assignment? A self-addressed envelope is enclosed for your reply.

At the suggestion of Mr. McDermott, who has already agreed to serve, we are writing a similar letter to Mr. Brooks Atkinson of the New York Times, Mr. Edwin Schallert of the Los Angeles Times, Mr. Elliot Norton of the Boston Post and Miss Anne Cooke of the Drama Department of Howard University.

PLAY-WRITING CONTEST

Telephone UTah 1-3375

NATIONAL SPONSORS

Mr. Allen Code
Seneca, S. C.

Mrs. W. A. Scott
Atlanta, Ga.

August 1, 1951

Dear Mr. Hughes:

At the suggestion of Mr. McDermott, who has already agreed to serve, we are writing a similar letter to Mr. Elliot Norton of the Boston Post, Mr. Edwin Schallert of the Los Angeles Times, Mr. Brooks Atkinson of the New York Times and Miss Anne Cooke of the Drama Department of Howard University.

The National Phillis Wheatley Foundation, Inc.

2170 East 46th Street

Cleveland 3, Ohio

Jane Edna Hunter, Founder
President and Director

PHILLIS WHEATLEY
America's First Negro Poetess

August 1, 1951

## DRAMA CONTEST

Sponsored by
The National Phillis Wheatley Foundation
Jane E. Hunter, President-Director

2170 East 46th Street

Cleveland 3, Ohio

GEORGE H. RUSSELL
Gen. Chairman

LEON WALLACE
Executive Chairman

National Phillis Wheatley
Celebration 1950

## LIFE MEMBERS

J. H. Beckwith

R. E. Black,
Chicago, Ill.

Arthur W. Bostock

Mrs. Harry Newton Clarke

Mrs. Rosa Lee Coleman

Hon. D. W. Frackelton

Mrs. Ralph L. Fuller

Mrs. Maude M. Hawkins

Miss Jane E. Hunter

Hon. Proctor Patterson Jones,
Los Trancos, Calif.

Miss Helen W. Joyce,
Mansfield, Ohio

Ross Lytle

Miss Mary E. Mason

Mrs. Cornelia F. Nickens

Joseph M. Goldwasser, President
Peerless Department Store

Mrs. Beulah N. Pinn

Miss Genevieve Randall

William Seawright

Dr. Mary F. Waring,
Chicago, Ill.

Miss Helen Blakemore Warner

## BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Dr. J. A. Bacoats,
Pres., Benedict College
Columbia, South Carolina

Mrs. Eunica Baker,
Steubenville, Ohio

Mr. F. R. Bemiaderfer

Mrs. T. McG. Black

Mr. Robert M. Boyd

Atty. Charles V. Carr

Mr. M. C. Clarke

Prof. Allen Code,
Senaca, South Carolina

Judge Lewis Drucker

Mrs. George A. Ebeling

Mrs. Sarah Lee Fleming,
New Haven, Connecticut

Mrs. Milton Gibson

Mr. Truman K. Gibson,
Pres., Supreme Liberty Life. Ins.
Chicago, Illinois

Dr. Evan A. Gilkes,
Baltimore, Maryland

Mrs. Helen Goggins

Judge Mary B. Grossman

Dr. Robert A. Harris

Dr. Samuel R. Higgins,
Pres., Allen University
Columbia, S. C.

Mrs. V. C. Hodges

George R. Hooper

Miss Jane E. Hunter

Dr. H. W. Hunter

Mrs. Margaret Jackson

Judge Perry B. Jackson

Miss Ruth Johnson

Mrs. Wilbretta Johnson

Atty. Procter Patterson Jones

Mrs. Daisy Lampkin,
Pittsburgh, Pa.

Ross Lytle

Atty. Frank C. Lyons

Hon. Margaret Mahoney

Mrs. Cornelia F. Nickens

Mrs. Beulah Pinn

Mrs. Celeste Richie

Mr. George H. Russell

Mrs. W. S. Scott,
Atlanta, Georgia

Mr. J. J. Seabrook,
Pres., Claflin University
Orangeburg, South Carolina

Mr. John H. Sengstacke,
Pres., Chicago Defender
Chicago, Illinois

Atty. Clarence L. Sharpe

Mr. Clifford O. Stark,
Centerbury, Ohio

Dr. B. C. Styles

Mr. Lockwood Thompson

Prof. W. H. Thompson,
Pendleton, South Carolina

Mrs. Robert L. Vann,
Pres., Pittsburgh Courier
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Judge Lillian M. Westropp

Mr. Edwin J. Williams

Mrs. Olive White

J. W. Wills, Sr.

## INTRODUCTION:

About 1753 a little Negro girl was born somewhere in Africa. When she was about 7' or 8 years old, she was brought to America as a slave and was eventually called Phillis Wheatley. Her lot as a slave was unlike that of most slaves because she was reared in a religious and educated household and was helped to acquire some education. She became well known as a poet, showing mastery of the diction and the art forms, and the highest standards of literary achievement of the period during which she lived. By her accomplishments she became a witness in America of the ability of Negro womanhood. Her name today is associated with numerous institutions and Y. W. C. A.'s that serve Negro women and girls.

The National Phillis Wheatley Foundation is sponsoring a play-writing contest in memory of Phillis Wheatley, the slave girl who became a poet.

## PURPOSE:

The purpose of this contest is three-fold: 1) to stimulate more wide-spread interest in the significance of Phillis Wheatley in American life, 2) to stimulate creative artists to use themes associated with the problems, struggles and triumphs of Negro girls and women, and 3) to become a source of income from participation in royalties from prize-winning plays for the scholarship of the National Phillis Wheatley Foundation.

## THEME:

The theme of any play submitted for a prize in the competition must relate to some aspect of Phillis Wheatley's accomplishments through struggle. Contributors to this contest are free to cast their plays in the past or in the present.

## PRIZES:

Prizes are in two classes:

**One Act Play** competition open to high school students from any public or private high school in the United States, or to any young person of high school age.

1st prize $200; 2nd Prize $150; 3rd Prize $100; 4th Prize $50.

High School competitors may use help from faculty members

(over)

Drama Contest

August 1, 1951

or other students and the finished play may be submitted as an individual work or as a school or class enterprise.

**Full Length Play competition (playing time roughly 1½ to 2½ hours) open to all persons, regardless of training, experience, nationality background or residence. Plays must be submitted in the English language.**

Prize: $500.

**ENTRIES:**

All entries must be original; translations and adaptations are barred. The play must be adaptable for trouping, that is, traveling from place to place with a limited cast and portable scenery.

All plays must be submitted in manuscript form, typewritten, double-spaced, using one side of paper only, and clearly identified by legal name and address of the author or authors. Attached to the manuscript must be the author's statement of his theme.

**DATES:**

The contest runs from September 1951, to September 1952. No entry can be accepted if postmarked later than August 31, 1952. Entries shall be mailed to the National Phillis Wheatley Foundation, 2170 East 46th Street in Cleveland, Ohio.

**JUDGING:**

Judges for the contest will be:

**Adult Competition**

Mr. Brooks Atkinson, The New York Times

Mr. Langston Hughes, The Chicago Defender

Mrs. Georgia Douglas Johnson, Washington, D. C.

Mr. William F. McDermott, The Cleveland Plain Dealer

Mr. Elliot Norton, Boston Post.

Mr. Edwin Schallert, Los Angeles Times

Aug. 8, 1951

Mr. Hughes:

Because of the scarcity of the column
mentioned in the letter, we regret very much
that we are unable to enclose an additional
copy for you. One copy, however, was mailed
in the letter to Chicago.

DAY LETTER

August 28, 1951

Miss Jane E. Hunter
The Phillis Wheatley Association
4450 Cedar Avenue
Cleveland 3, Ohio

Possible judges Georgia Douglas Johnson, 1461 "S" Street, N.W., Washington
D.C. or Alice Childress, 434 West 163rd Street, Apt 20, New York 32, N. Y.

Nat'l Phillis Wheatley Foundation

2170 East 46th Street
Cleveland 3, Ohio

13

NEW HOPE FOR HEARTS
--- SUPPORT ---
THE HEART FUND

Mr. Langston Hughes
20 East 127th Street
New York 35, N. Y.

Mr. Langston Hughes
20 E. 127th St.,
New York 35, N. W.

PLAY-WRITING CONTEST

Telephone Utah 1-3375

April 14, 1952

Honorable Langston Hughes
20 East 127th Street
New York 35, New York

My Dear Langston;

Last evening while alone at home, I took time
out to read your most interesting book, "Laughing to
Keep From Crying." It reminded me of memories of
the "Old South" It was rich with thought and I did
enjoy it so very much.

I'm especially writing you this morning concerning
the chapter entitled " One Friday Morning." This
roused the deepest emotions in me and after coming to
my natural self, I decided that you should enter the
National Play-Writing Contest sponsored by The National
Phillis Wheatley Foundation, and write a play on the
struggle and achievement of Negro women. I do not be-
leive that there is any living person in America whose
writing expresses and inspires the souls of the black
people like Langston Hughes. I pray that you will think
this over since the Contest will close September 1, 1952.

I am mindful of the fact that you are one of the
judges on adult plays, but it occured to me that you
could put someone in the competition who would be
guided by you. I so much desire to have your soul
stirring writings injected into the kind of drama we
want to present to the people of America.

May I express my appreciation for the lovely things
you said about me in the W. H. K. Auditorium on the
afternoon you spoke here.

JEH/jw

NATIONAL SPONSORS

Mr. Allen Code
Seneca, S. C.

Mrs. W. A. Scott
Atlanta, Ga.

18

2170 East 46th Street

Cleveland 3, Ohio

October 21, 1952

Mr. Langston Hughes
20 East 127th Street
New York 35, New York

My dear Langston:

It seems that at one time you promised to write the words for a song for the National Phillis Wheatley Foundation, to be used by all the Chapters, etc. My friend, Mrs. Lucille Goodloe of Toledo, wishes to set the words to music. It would mean much to our National Phillis Wheatley Chapters in high schools and colleges, if you would do this to strengthen our cause. Please say yes!

In about thirty days you, a member of the National Judges Committee on our Play-Writing Contest, will be hearing from the Steering Committee. We were fortunate to secure a group of professional men and women to screen the plays which were received September 1st. Mr. Robert Housum of Cleveland, a noted writer who was recommended by our friend, Mr. Wm. F. McDermott, volunteered and accepted the chairmanship of the Screening Committee. He has practically assured our inter-racial group that the National Judges will have two or three worthy dramas to decide upon. God bless you and Mr. McDermott for your fine support.

Please let me know if you will write the song for our National Phillis Wheatley Foundation. Mrs. Goodloe has practically recovered from her exhaustion and has assumed her leadership in Toledo for the Chapter named in your honor. May I hear at your earliest convenience your decision on this request?

JEH:lih

## LIFE MEMBERS

J. H. Beckwith

R. E. Black,
Chicago, Ill.

Arthur W. Bostock

Mrs. Harry Newton Clarke

Mrs. Rosa Lee Coleman

Hon. D. W. Frackelton

Mrs. Ralph L. Fuller

Mrs. Maude M. Hawkins

Miss Jane E. Hunter

Miss Helen W. Joyce,

Mansfield, Ohio

Ross Lytle

Miss Mary E. Mason

Mrs. Cornelia F. Nickens

Mrs. Beulah N. Pinn

Miss Genevieve Randall

William Seawright

Miss Helen Blakemore Warner

## BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Mr. F. R. Bemisderfer

Mrs. T. McC Black

Mr. Robert M. Boyd

Atty. Charles V. Carr

Mr. M. C. Clarke

Prof. Allen Code,

— Senaca, South Carolina

Judge Lewis Drucker

Mrs. George A. Ebeling

Mrs. Milton Gibson

Mrs. Helen Goggins

Judge Mary B. Grossman

Dr. Robert A. Harris

Dr. Samuel R. Higging,
Pres., Allen University
Columbia, S. C.

Mrs. V. C. Hodges

George R. Hooper

Miss Jane E. Hunter

Dr. H. W. Hunter

Mrs. Margaret Jackson

Judge Perry B. Jackson

Miss Ruth Johnson

Mrs. Wilbretta Johnson

Ross Lytle

Atty. Frank C. Lyons

Hon. Margaret Mahoney

Mrs. Cornelia F. Nickens

Mrs. Beulah Pinn

Mrs. Celeste Richie

Mr. George H. Russell

Mrs. W. S. Scott,

Atlanta, Georgia

Atty. Clarence L. Sharpe

Dr. B. C. Styles

Mr. Lockwood Thompson

Judge Lillian M. Westropp

Mr. Edwin J. Williams

Mrs. Olive White

J. W. Wills, Sr.

61

National Birthday of
PHILLIS WHEATLEY
America's First Negro Poetess

Return Postage Guaranteed

STATI

Hon. Langston Hughes
20 East 127th Street
New York 35, N. Y.

PLAY-WRITING CONTEST

Telephone UTah 1-3375

November 18, 1952

NATIONAL SPONSORS

Mrs. Mary McLeod Bethume
Daytona Beach, Florida

Mr. Allen Code
Seneca, S. C.

Mrs. W. A. Scott
Atlanta, Ga.

My dear Mr. Hughes:

You will recall that, through the kind offices of Mr. William McDermott, of The Cleveland Plain Dealer, you consented to act, together with five other distinguished dramatic critics, as a judge of the Drama Contest sponsored by The National Phillis Wheatley Foundation of Cleveland, Ohio. This contest closed September 1, last, and twenty full-length plays were submitted.

Realizing the many pressing calls upon your time, and with deep appreciation of the kindness and the interest in our cause which prompted you to accept the responsibility of acting as a judge, we have wished to make the work as little burdensome as possible. Accordingly, the manuscripts submitted have been screened by a local committee, and all but two eliminated, either because they failed to meet the conditions of the contest or because they were markedly inferior to the two which we are submitting to your judgment.

We hope to mail on or before December 1st, the copies of these two manuscripts to you, as well as to each of the other five judges, under other cover; together with an outline of the terms of the contest, and a stamped envelope for their return when you have finished with them.

When you have found an opportunity to give these your consideration, we should appreciate hearing from you, your choice of the best manuscripts, together with any comments you may feel disposed to make. The one receiving the greatest number of votes of the six judges, will be declared the winner.

Please be assured of our sincere appreciation and gratitude to you for taking the time to serve as one of our judges. It is our hope that one of these plays may be found sufficiently appealing to spread more widely the influence of Phillis Wheatley's life; and that it may serve to increase and enrich the mutual understanding and respect now happily growing between her race and those other races which constitute our America today, and among whom our lot is cast.

JEH:b

MAY 7

Return Postage Guaranteed

February 23, 1953

Miss Jane E. Hunter,
National Phillis Wheatley Foundation,
2170 East 46th Street,
Cleveland 3, Ohio.

Dear Miss Hunter,

I must apologize for being so long in giving my vote on the plays. What with meeting deadlines on books and speaking out of town, my desk simply got piled so high with things that came in the mails needing urgent attention that I was snowed under. And I have been handicapped by not having a full-time secretary for the past year, since a competent person in that field is very difficult to find. Result: I have posted a big NO up on my board---not to take any more commitments of any kind until those I have are cleared up--- which will probably take the next three or four months. Included in my present promises is the song for the P.W.F. which I agreed to write with Mrs. Goodloe, whom I've just seen, and have discussed it with her. This lyric, if it proves one you will like, I will of course donate to the Foundation so that the song might be copyrighted by the Foundation and any profits from it go to the Foundation. I hope we can do something inspiring.

Of the two plays which you sent me---as my wire last night stated--- my vote goes to STRANGER IN THE LAND by Frank A. Magary as much the best play, covering more fully the important aspects of Phillis Wheatley's life, and possessing a great deal more drama than the other play. If suggestions are in order, I mu suggestion would be that some of the rather long and stilted speeches (particularly in the first part) be shortened, or broken up, for better pace in performance. And for greater ease (and cheaper) in production, the Dream Sequence with its several short scenes, might be done only in audible form, Phillis hearing only the voices, rather than actually seeing these scenes out her past---which would reduce the number of actors and sets considerably. And, I think, be just about as effective.

RARA AVIS, in my opinion, never quite becomes a play, has almost no conflict or suspense, and presents too limited a segment of Phillis' life, with too much merely told in conversational form as flashbacks to the children. Also for so inspirational a character as Phillis, the ending is merely depressing without being tragic. This play is far less interesting than STRANGER IN THE LAND.

Working with a good director if, when STRANGER IN THE LAND is produced, the authro can be present during rehearsals, I am sure he can find ways of improving his play and whipping it into shape so that it can be done easily by groups throughout the country, or conveniently takenon tour. Maybe Karamu House will do it, and help work out a compact, fast moving unit......I congratulate you on sponsoring this ontest......Sincere y,