Los Angeles, Calif.
1164 1/2 E. 52 St.

May 3, 1939

Dear Langston;

Your letter was certainly appreciated, because I wrote you some time ago and I sent the letter to New York to the address you gave me, but I had made myself contented as you said you did not write very much.

Well, I'll tell you we were expecting you back here this month. Very glad to know you are O.K. Every one was glad to know I had heard from you.

Langston the play is coming along fine. Clarence has been down once since you left, but under the circumstances things are moving along very smoothly. We sold out practicely every night in April to groups and mostly all the nights in May are taken. We have a very good functioning promotion committee. I called the Gentlemen whose number you sent me and the Mr. Simmons is going to take ablock of fifty (50) seats in June for his friends, he was so surprised to know that the play had been going so long, and also I talked with Mr. Golden and he is at present quite busy but he said in about 2 weeks he would be free to help us. The other Gentlemen I will drop them a line about the play. Say, what do you think of the idea of us moving over on 28 and San Pedro St? That was discussed in our executive meeting last night. Some of our members are becoming very ambitious, but my argument is that San Pedro is kinda out of the main section of the Negro Community. Maybe I am wrong?

But

But the trouble I thought we would have after you left
has not been as I ex-pected. They respect me quite a bit,
but the Constitution and By-laws are what is puzzling me. I
wrote to Louise Thompson about theirs in N.Y. and she said
they had not completed theirs as yet so if you have any sug-
gestions that will help me please send me all the advice,
you have please. I certainly hope.

You can understand what I am trying to say (smile)
and write some of the actors. They are becoming quite tem-
permental, but Sunday night was our first performance that
a member failed to show up so Sammie Moore had to do the
Mulatto's girl part and she done the part down good. The
show was very raggedy but we hada very enthusiastic audience.
Ray has done the young man's part twice but gee.? He forgets
his lines some time, but maybe if he is given a chance to do
the part more maybe he will learn the part, but every one
likes him so much better than they do Walsh. Louise Jones
Harold's wife came through with flying colors doing the part
of the woman.

What about the play you were going to send us?
And also Mr. Golden said that he had a friend that was con-
nected with the Federal theatre that he probably can help
us in getting, some of the play's you spoke of.

The entire Miller family says Hi to you.

The cast sends their regards.

P.S. Please excuse the errors of
my typist, but her finger nails
are so long she can't type.

(3)

Page three beginning. Mrs. Sammie Moore and Mrs
Ray Wallace are entertaining Mrs. Sherwood in her kitchen
while she makes some corn bread for brother Nathan.

I haven't had the pleasure to thank you for the
lovely flowers and the delicious candy you so graciously
sent Johnny for. A boy called up the day you left and
delivered your message to me which I thought was very nice
of you. This is the eighth week I have been a cripple,
I have been to the play one night since the accident and that
was the night that Ray performed.

I will close now as I donot wan't to take up anymore
of your precious time. I thought you were coming back by
May the first, what happened ? Don't explain I know you got
back there and can't be bothered with these Los Angeles
negroes, can't much blame you.

So long I guess you know this
page was by the one and only Sarah.

Estelle will take over from here. So long.

634 St. Nicholas Avenue #1D
New York, N. Y.

July 3, 1939

MRS. MEREDITH HATCHER
757 EAST 40 STREET
LOS ANGELES, CALIF.

Dear Meredith Hatcher,

My thanks to you and the New Negro Theatre for the pay-
ment of $25.00 royalties on DON'T YOU WANT TO BE FREE. I
was surprised and delighted to have the check, especially since
it arrived at a time when it was like manna from above, falling
on dry land---I mean, just at rent time.

I am heading West in a few days with some new plays for you
including Theodore Ward's BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR.

Give my very best regards to the group and tell everybody
I will be seeing them soon.

Congratulations on the swell work you all are doing. I had
a nice letter from Louise Thompson about the show.

LH:FW

c/o Mrs. Harper,
634 St. Nicholas Ave.,
New York, New York,
August 25, 1940.

Dear Meredith, [Hatcher]

I've been trying to write you for the longest time, but you know by now that I am the worst letter writer on earth. By the time I get through writing for my paper, I can't seem to get around to letters. Anyhow, I'm delighted to hear about the progress our theatre is making. And the new alliance with HTA ought to help it to go forward by leaps and bounds. The idea of the revue is a splendid one, and one which we hope to put over in New York, too. Fact is, I have already quite a lot of material, ideas, and lyrics on hand for such a show, and Labor Stage (PINS AND NEEDLES folks) have spoken with me several times about putting on a musical with their Negro group that did my DE ORGANIZER at Carnegie Hall last spring. Not being in New York as yet (going there this week) I don't know what state their plans are in just now. And I'll be busy with bookshop appearances and talks for the next three or four weeks so won't be able to work out a revue right away. But when I do get a chance, I'd be delighted to have you-all see some of the material that might be suitable to your use.

THE BIG SEA goes on sale tomorrow, and is seemingly getting off to a pretty good start as NEWS WEEK and the NEW YORK TIMES have already given it excellent reviews, and I've signed a great big pile of advance copies for Marshall Field's whose book shop has already had a number of orders. In them next volume I'll be writing about the New Negro Theatre.

Give my very best regards to Doc, and to all the members of the group that I know. If you get out a prospectus or anything send me a dozen or so copies so I can spread the word of your activities around the East.

Don't let the weather get bad out there!

THE NEW NEGRO THEATRE

WARNER BROS. DOWNTOWN BLDG.

7th & HILL STREETS, ROOM 620

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

TELEPHONE: MADISON 5703

August 29, 1940

Dear Langston:

Congratulations on "THE BIG SEA". It looks as though you have written for more than your supper this time. It seems that things are beginning to break for a number of us at last.

I was quite interested to know that you already have a lot of material on hand that is suitable for a revue, but think that you should make ever effort possible to send it on at once. We had a reading of material Sunday and the results were very encouraging, sixteen numbers being definitely decided upon. What we need most are blackouts and sketches similiar to "Limitations of Life". We read it, but the decision was that it was not topical enough, and we are very anxious for you to do something about "Gone With The Wind". As you remember, that was one of your favorite ideas.

The most pressing problem right now is finances, as usual. As was to be expected, (though we were hopeful) the benefits we had arranged to raise large sums of money have been postponed. The Bill Robinson benefit is no good since Bill is leaving for New York for a revival of "Hot Mikado". (please check this for us).

The greatest dissatisfaction of all was the Robeson Recital. We had planned a matinee recital at the HTA Music Box Theatre (rent free) sometime in September. However, I heard from Robeson's agent, and unfortunately his commitments preclude his being here in September. We feel it is imperative that the show open no later than the end of October, or the first week of November, so the cash just must be had now. Of course the HTA will come in for a certain amount of financing, but we will probably have to go to outside to commercial backers, which will cut our percentage of profits down to so low a figure that it endangers our continuance after the review.

I am asking you to impress Mr. Robeson with the seriousness of our situation and the two of you advise us immediately, how soon we can expect some aid.

mh

Hotel Grand,
5044 South Parkway,
Chicago, Illinois,
October 5, 1940.

Mrs. Meredith Hatcher,
The New Negro Theatre,
Warner Bros. Building,
Los Angeles, California.

Dear Meredith,

The revue material of which I wrote you has gone off to you
by air---since I shall be in Los Angeles for a day on Thursday
and hope you-all can have read it by that time so we can talk
it over. You understand, of course, that much of it is in
rough draft form, and that when lyrics are fitted up to music
many changes for the better might occur.....Saw MEET THE PEO-
PLE here and liked it very much.....Hope to arrive on that
Santa Fe streamliner at 7:45 A.M. (ungodly hour!) but it will
give us time to talk as I have to go on to Carmel and get to
work on some material for a New York radio show.

THE NEW NEGRO THEATRE

WARNER BROS. Y DOWNTOWN YONK.
7th & HILL STREETS, ROOM 620

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

TELEPHONE: MADISON 5703

MAYAN THEATRE

1044 South Hill Street

October 6, 1940

Dear Langston:

I was certainly glad to hear that you are planning to send us some material. I hope that your agent will send it to us immediately because the Future Productions Committee of the HTA is having a final meeting Friday. Of course other hearings will be held, but we are anxious to get the show lined up so we can start auditions and rehearsals.

You will be glad to know that we have moved to the Mayan Theatre and everything is progressing nicely. However, we still are in need of loans.

You mentioned that you had talked to Paul and Henry in New York and that Paul had written me. However, I have not heard directly from him. I wish that you would tell me the results of the conference, especially Paul's opinion.

Regarding your lyrics, please send them immediately. We have several good composers working with us who could set them.

I hope that you will not be delayed in coming to the Coast. I am anxious for you to hear the material. We think that we have a great show but there are several ideas I want to discuss with you.

<table><tr><td>CLASS OF SERVICE</td></tr><tr><td>This is a full/rate Telegram or Cable-gram unless its deferred character is indicated by a suitable symbol above or preceding the address.</td></tr></table>

WESTERN
UNION

1201

<table><tr><td>SYMBOLS</td></tr><tr><td>DL=Day Letter</td></tr><tr><td>NT=Overnight Telegram</td></tr><tr><td>LC=Deferred Cable</td></tr><tr><td>NLT=Cable Night Letter</td></tr><tr><td>Ship Radiogram</td></tr></table>

R. B. WHITE
PRESIDENT

NEWCOMB CARLTON
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

J. C. WILLEVER
FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT

The filing time shown in the date line on telegrams and day letters is STANDARD TIME at point of origin. Time of receipt is STANDARD TIME at point of destination

28FN G 8

LOS ANGELES CALIF 359P OCT 9 1940

LANGSTON HUGHES

CARE CONDR SANTAFE TRAIN 21 DUE 737PM
WINSLOW ARIZ

WILL MEET YOU AT STATION BREAKFAST WITH PRODUCERS.

MEREDITH HATCHER

517P

THE COMPANY WILL APPRECIATE SUGGESTIONS FROM ITS PATRONS CONCERNING ITS SERVICE

THE NEW NEGRO THEATRE

(this is strickly off the record--between only
me and thee)

October 22, 1940

Langston dear:

Do by all means accept Ella Winter's offer to
come and stay with them to work on material with
Don. The fight is on with some of the boys of
HTA who would like to take over our little show.
The word has gotten around that we really have
something. Your eminent presence is imment if
we are going to function as a separate theatre
and not as a little colored unit of HTA.

Stewart and Charlie and I knowing that you could
save the situation have worked out a plan whereby
you can stay with Don, receive money, and, you, Don,
Charlie, and Jack Lawson work on material. It is
impossible to get money for the show from HTA
immediately, but we have to go into rehearsal and
have some numbers to show people for loans. We
are therefore starting rehearsals within two weeks
and the material must be in shape by then.

Monday night we are audtioning for about 10 money
people.

The organization needs closer knitting together
and I feel that I have the proper procedure
but must have your advice before acting upon it.

Expecting to see you next week,

<table><tr><td>CLASS OF SERVICE</td></tr><tr><td>This is a full-rate Telegram or Cablegram unless its deferred character is indicated by a suitable symbol above or preceding the address.</td></tr></table>

WESTERN
UNION

R. B. WHITE
PRESIDENT

1201

(20)

1940 OCT 27

<table><thead><tr><th colspan="2">SYMBOLS</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>DL</td><td>Day Letter</td></tr><tr><td>NT</td><td>Overnight Telegram</td></tr><tr><td>LC</td><td>Deferred Cable</td></tr><tr><td>NLT</td><td>Cable Night Letter</td></tr><tr><td>AM 8 22</td><td>Ship Radiogram</td></tr></tbody></table>

FAX 5 26 NT 3 EXTRA=LOSANGELES CALIF VIA MONTEREY CALIF OCT 26

LANGSTON HUGHES=

HOLLOWHILL FARM FONE SD=

HTA VOTED 25 WEEKS AGAINST ADVANCED ROYALTY STEWART

RESPONSIBLE FIRST TWO WEEKS LAWSON STEWART LEONARD HUGHES
MATERIAL COMMITTEE TO EDIT SCRIPTS PRESENCE URGENT=

MEREDITH HATCHER.

HTA 25.

THE COMPANY WILL APPRECIATE SUGGESTIONS FROM ITS PATRONS CONCERNING ITS SERVICE.