Karamu House
Encyclopedia
Karamu House in the Fairfax
neighborhood on the east side of Cleveland, Ohio
, is the oldest African-American theater in the United States
. Many of Langston Hughes
's plays were developed and première
d at the theater.
in nearby Oberlin
, Ohio, founded what was then called The Neighborhood Assn. at 2239 E. 38th St. establishing it as a place where people of different races, creeds and religions could find a common ground. The Jelliffes discovered in their early years, that the arts provided the perfect common ground, and in [1] 1917 plays at the "Playhouse Settlement" began.
The early twenties saw a large number of African Americans move into an area in Cleveland
,from the Southern U.S.
. Resisting some pressure to exclude their new neighbors, the Jelliffes insisted that all races were welcome. They used the United States Constitution; “all men are created equal” and pursued their dream. What was then called the Playhouse Settlement quickly became a magnet for some of the best African American artists of the day. Actors, dancers, print makers
and writers all found a place where they could practice their crafts. Karamu was also a contributor to the Harlem Renaissance, and Langston Hughes roamed the halls constantly.
Reflecting the strength of the Black influence on its development, the Playhouse Settlement was officially renamed Karamu House in 1941. Karamu is a word in the Swahili language
meaning "a place of joyful gathering" or "a pencil". A place where families could gather, share stories, feast, and enjoy. Karamu's long standing tradition of allowing the audience to meet, and greet actors in a recption line is Karamu's very own; the "gathering place" extends itself into the community through this face to face encounter.
Throughout the years Karamu has gone through many changes, some profound. With the retirement of the Jelliffes in 1965, and the social shifts of the 1960s and 1970s, Karamu was affected in a number of ways: diminished funds; increasing political and social urgency; and uncertainty of purpose. But, people still poured into Karamu House. The community was drawn by the energy of a new political and cultural presence for African Americans. White patrons that had served on the board were purged. But a great measure of community support remained. The fervor, the making of history has never waned with this historical, cultural, and fine arts institution. Not even in hard times.
The original Drama/Theatre for Youth (DT/Y), now called "TOPS" was modeled after a Colorado program, under the direction of Jeff Gruszewski. DT/Y was formed in 1987, and toured to hundreds of schools in Cuyahoga, Summit, Elyria, Erie, and Lorain counties. The original company consisted of Abdullah Bey, Susan Benson, Renee Matthews-Jackson, David Reichhold, and Jerry Urick. From 1987 to present day, there have been 23 different ensemble tour companies. TOPS is an intricate branch of Karamu's Educational Outreach programming.
Karamu House had developed a reputation for nurturing black actors having carried on the mission of the Gilpin Players, a black acting troupe whose heyday predated Karamu. directors such as John Kenley
, of the Kenley Players, and John Price, of Musicarnival
— a music "tent" theater located in Warrensville Heights
, Ohio, a Cleveland suburb
— regularly recruited black actors for their professional productions.,
Those in the Karamu ranks include some of Cleveland's native-born; Norma Powell, Charles Brown, Darnell Suttles, Lucia & Licia Colombi, Brenda Butler, Willie Goodson, Larry Bey, Mary Dorsey, Kevin Willingham, Jean "Granny" Hawkins, Mary Connley-Dismuke, Al Kirk, Cornell Calhoune, Sue H. Johnson, Hank Marone, Steve Larry, Calvin Thomas, Al Fann, Conni Blair, Dale R. Shields
, Debra Byrd, Sarah May, Gina Taylor, Wayne Elbert, Joe Lynn, Tony Sanders, Valerie Robinson, Tyrone Jenkins, Jackie Thompson, Willie Boyd, Evelyn Irby, Robert Williams, Jeff & Denise Doggett, "Mississippi" Charles Bevel, Prestor Pickett, Yvetta, Rezina,Vaness Bell- Calloway, Reuben & Dorothy Silvers, Rick Williams, Greg Deltorto, Asante Jones, Brandi Amin, Dianne Weaver, Felton Richards, Buddy Butler, Matthew Dickens
, Angela Winborn, Richard Morris, Willie Gipson, Ossie Davis
, Ruby Dee
, Mike Malone, Joyce Meadows, Gwen Frost, Tracie Rose, Reggie Kelly, Gwen Wright, Adora & Eric Schmiedl, Trish Johnson, Anthony Talley, Jack Robinson, Kathy Bibbs, Allen Johnson, Parks Taylor, JoAnn Hawkins, Tora Bey, Dorae Vactor, Tshombe, Eddie Baccus Sr. & jr., Kalief Haynes, Morgan Lund, Michael Bell, Sr., Desmond Storm E Jones, Kenny Johnson, John Lynch, Kenneth Parker, William & Sandra True, Sandy Bass, Lawerence Maurice, Calvin Knight, Marcus Dana, Kyle Primous, Don Evans, Vickie Buster, Butch Terry, Charles Robinson, Leroy Jones, Brenda Butler, Kenny Bell, Kathy Walker, Chico, Michael Metcalf, Anthony E. Nickerson-El, James Spriggs, Reggie Kelly, Trish Johnson, Sheraine Newman, Linda Thomas Jones, Eva Withers-Evans, Hassan Rogers, Michael May, Shelia Ramsey, Caroline Jackson-Smith, Ron Hester, Reyno Crayton, Doug Jewell, Bill Cobbs
, and countless others, far too many to mention...
In 1931, Langston Hughes
, and Zora Neale Hurston
were negotiating with the Jelliffes to produce 'Mule Bone', their two act collaboration, when the two writers "fell out". After a series of conversations between the Hughes and Hurston estates, and Ethel Barrymore Theatre
who presented the world premiere Mule Bone
on Broadway in 1991. Finally, sixty-five years after the production was originally proposed, Karamu House presented MULE BONE (THE BONE OF CONTENTION) as the '96-'97 season Finale. Karamu's production, directed by Sarah May, played to standing room only audiences in the Proscenium (Jelliffe) Theatre. The by-line in The Plain Dealer, as the Cleveland theatre season came to its end read; "Karamu returns to Harlem Renaissance
status". Critic Marianne Evett shared Karamu's success story as the Theatre began to recover from past hardships. The revival Karamu House needed so desperately, had arrived. During this time, Margaret Ford-Taylor held the position of Executive Director and Sarah May, Artistic Director.
Since October 2003, Terrence Spivey has served as Karamu's artistic director
. Since his arrival, Karamu has again risen to an unexpected pace artistically with the constant challenge of daring and provocative works for artist and audience alike. Karamu House Performing Arts Theatre continues to be one of American History's greatest treasures.
Sharon Williford (Actress/Singer) was groomed by Karamu.
She appeared in Singin' and Shoutin' (Mike Malone)
, First Breeze of Summer (Leslie Lee)
In the Wine Time (1987) Don Evans.
, and received an Ohio Historical Marker on June 16, 2003.
Vaness Bell-Calloway born in 1956. Vanessa performed in Karamu's theater and modern dance departments. She earned a spot in the chorus of the Broadway musical, Dream Girls, advancing to countless film and television productions.
Fairfax, Cleveland
Fairfax is a neighborhood on the east side of Cleveland, Ohio. Roughly bounded between Euclid Avenue to the north, Woodland Avenue to the south, E.71st Street to the west and E.105th Street to the east, the predominantly poverty stricken neighborhood is overlapped by the city's cultural and...
neighborhood on the east side of Cleveland, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, is the oldest African-American theater in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Many of Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes
James Mercer Langston Hughes was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist. He was one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form jazz poetry. Hughes is best known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance...
's plays were developed and première
Premiere
A premiere is generally "a first performance". This can refer to plays, films, television programs, operas, symphonies, ballets and so on. Premieres for theatrical, musical and other cultural presentations can become extravagant affairs, attracting large numbers of socialites and much media...
d at the theater.
History
In 1915, Russell and Rowena Woodham Jelliffe, graduates of Oberlin CollegeOberlin College
Oberlin College is a private liberal arts college in Oberlin, Ohio, noteworthy for having been the first American institution of higher learning to regularly admit female and black students. Connected to the college is the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the oldest continuously operating...
in nearby Oberlin
Oberlin, Ohio
Oberlin is a city in Lorain County, Ohio, United States, to the south and west of Cleveland. Oberlin is perhaps best known for being the home of Oberlin College, a liberal arts college and music conservatory with approximately 3,000 students...
, Ohio, founded what was then called The Neighborhood Assn. at 2239 E. 38th St. establishing it as a place where people of different races, creeds and religions could find a common ground. The Jelliffes discovered in their early years, that the arts provided the perfect common ground, and in [1] 1917 plays at the "Playhouse Settlement" began.
The early twenties saw a large number of African Americans move into an area in Cleveland
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
,from the Southern U.S.
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
. Resisting some pressure to exclude their new neighbors, the Jelliffes insisted that all races were welcome. They used the United States Constitution; “all men are created equal” and pursued their dream. What was then called the Playhouse Settlement quickly became a magnet for some of the best African American artists of the day. Actors, dancers, print makers
Printmaking
Printmaking is the process of making artworks by printing, normally on paper. Printmaking normally covers only the process of creating prints with an element of originality, rather than just being a photographic reproduction of a painting. Except in the case of monotyping, the process is capable...
and writers all found a place where they could practice their crafts. Karamu was also a contributor to the Harlem Renaissance, and Langston Hughes roamed the halls constantly.
Reflecting the strength of the Black influence on its development, the Playhouse Settlement was officially renamed Karamu House in 1941. Karamu is a word in the Swahili language
Swahili language
Swahili or Kiswahili is a Bantu language spoken by various ethnic groups that inhabit several large stretches of the Mozambique Channel coastline from northern Kenya to northern Mozambique, including the Comoro Islands. It is also spoken by ethnic minority groups in Somalia...
meaning "a place of joyful gathering" or "a pencil". A place where families could gather, share stories, feast, and enjoy. Karamu's long standing tradition of allowing the audience to meet, and greet actors in a recption line is Karamu's very own; the "gathering place" extends itself into the community through this face to face encounter.
Throughout the years Karamu has gone through many changes, some profound. With the retirement of the Jelliffes in 1965, and the social shifts of the 1960s and 1970s, Karamu was affected in a number of ways: diminished funds; increasing political and social urgency; and uncertainty of purpose. But, people still poured into Karamu House. The community was drawn by the energy of a new political and cultural presence for African Americans. White patrons that had served on the board were purged. But a great measure of community support remained. The fervor, the making of history has never waned with this historical, cultural, and fine arts institution. Not even in hard times.
The original Drama/Theatre for Youth (DT/Y), now called "TOPS" was modeled after a Colorado program, under the direction of Jeff Gruszewski. DT/Y was formed in 1987, and toured to hundreds of schools in Cuyahoga, Summit, Elyria, Erie, and Lorain counties. The original company consisted of Abdullah Bey, Susan Benson, Renee Matthews-Jackson, David Reichhold, and Jerry Urick. From 1987 to present day, there have been 23 different ensemble tour companies. TOPS is an intricate branch of Karamu's Educational Outreach programming.
Karamu House had developed a reputation for nurturing black actors having carried on the mission of the Gilpin Players, a black acting troupe whose heyday predated Karamu. directors such as John Kenley
John Kenley
John Kenley was an American theatrical producer.-1906–1920s:Born John Kremchek, in the winter of 1906, his early childhood was spent in Denver. His father, a Slovakian saloon owner, baptized him as Russian Orthodox and by age 4 he was singing in church, in both Russian and English...
, of the Kenley Players, and John Price, of Musicarnival
Musicarnival
Musicarnival was a music "tent" theater located on Warrensville Center Rd. in Warrensville Heights, Ohio, among the first of its kind. The theater was expanded in 1958 from its initial seating capacity, growing from 1,500 to 2,563...
— a music "tent" theater located in Warrensville Heights
Warrensville Heights, Ohio
Warrensville Heights is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. The population was 13,542 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Warrensville Heights is located at ....
, Ohio, a Cleveland suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
— regularly recruited black actors for their professional productions.,
Those in the Karamu ranks include some of Cleveland's native-born; Norma Powell, Charles Brown, Darnell Suttles, Lucia & Licia Colombi, Brenda Butler, Willie Goodson, Larry Bey, Mary Dorsey, Kevin Willingham, Jean "Granny" Hawkins, Mary Connley-Dismuke, Al Kirk, Cornell Calhoune, Sue H. Johnson, Hank Marone, Steve Larry, Calvin Thomas, Al Fann, Conni Blair, Dale R. Shields
Dale R. Shields
Dale Ricardo Shields, born in Cleveland, Ohio, is an African American actor, archivist, director, educator and stage manager. He is a member of AEA, SAG, AFTRA, AGMA and SSDC. Dale has been active in the theatre since 1974.- Early life :...
, Debra Byrd, Sarah May, Gina Taylor, Wayne Elbert, Joe Lynn, Tony Sanders, Valerie Robinson, Tyrone Jenkins, Jackie Thompson, Willie Boyd, Evelyn Irby, Robert Williams, Jeff & Denise Doggett, "Mississippi" Charles Bevel, Prestor Pickett, Yvetta, Rezina,Vaness Bell- Calloway, Reuben & Dorothy Silvers, Rick Williams, Greg Deltorto, Asante Jones, Brandi Amin, Dianne Weaver, Felton Richards, Buddy Butler, Matthew Dickens
Matthew Dickens
Matthew Dickens’ is an American theater, film, television performer with credits as an Actor/Singer/Dancer, Writer/Producer/Director and Choreographer.-Early life:...
, Angela Winborn, Richard Morris, Willie Gipson, Ossie Davis
Ossie Davis
Ossie Davis was an American film actor, director, poet, playwright, writer, and social activist.-Early years:...
, Ruby Dee
Ruby Dee
Ruby Dee is an American actress, poet, playwright, screenwriter, journalist, and activist, perhaps best known for co-starring in the film A Raisin in the Sun and the film American Gangster for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.-Early years:Dee was born Ruby...
, Mike Malone, Joyce Meadows, Gwen Frost, Tracie Rose, Reggie Kelly, Gwen Wright, Adora & Eric Schmiedl, Trish Johnson, Anthony Talley, Jack Robinson, Kathy Bibbs, Allen Johnson, Parks Taylor, JoAnn Hawkins, Tora Bey, Dorae Vactor, Tshombe, Eddie Baccus Sr. & jr., Kalief Haynes, Morgan Lund, Michael Bell, Sr., Desmond Storm E Jones, Kenny Johnson, John Lynch, Kenneth Parker, William & Sandra True, Sandy Bass, Lawerence Maurice, Calvin Knight, Marcus Dana, Kyle Primous, Don Evans, Vickie Buster, Butch Terry, Charles Robinson, Leroy Jones, Brenda Butler, Kenny Bell, Kathy Walker, Chico, Michael Metcalf, Anthony E. Nickerson-El, James Spriggs, Reggie Kelly, Trish Johnson, Sheraine Newman, Linda Thomas Jones, Eva Withers-Evans, Hassan Rogers, Michael May, Shelia Ramsey, Caroline Jackson-Smith, Ron Hester, Reyno Crayton, Doug Jewell, Bill Cobbs
Bill Cobbs
Wilbert "Bill" Cobbs is an American film and television actor. He has starred in over 120 television programs and movies.-Life and career:...
, and countless others, far too many to mention...
In 1931, Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes
James Mercer Langston Hughes was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist. He was one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form jazz poetry. Hughes is best known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance...
, and Zora Neale Hurston
Zora Neale Hurston
Zora Neale Hurston was an American folklorist, anthropologist, and author during the time of the Harlem Renaissance...
were negotiating with the Jelliffes to produce 'Mule Bone', their two act collaboration, when the two writers "fell out". After a series of conversations between the Hughes and Hurston estates, and Ethel Barrymore Theatre
Ethel Barrymore Theatre
The Ethel Barrymore Theatre is a legitimate Broadway theatre located at 243 West 47th Street in midtown-Manhattan, named for actress Ethel Barrymore....
who presented the world premiere Mule Bone
Mule Bone
Mule Bone: A Comedy of Negro Life is a 1930 play by American authors Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston. The process of writing the play led Hughes and Hurston, who had been close friends, to sever their relationship. Mule Bone was not staged until 1991.-Characters:Jim Weston: A guitarist and...
on Broadway in 1991. Finally, sixty-five years after the production was originally proposed, Karamu House presented MULE BONE (THE BONE OF CONTENTION) as the '96-'97 season Finale. Karamu's production, directed by Sarah May, played to standing room only audiences in the Proscenium (Jelliffe) Theatre. The by-line in The Plain Dealer, as the Cleveland theatre season came to its end read; "Karamu returns to Harlem Renaissance
Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned the 1920s and 1930s. At the time, it was known as the "New Negro Movement", named after the 1925 anthology by Alain Locke...
status". Critic Marianne Evett shared Karamu's success story as the Theatre began to recover from past hardships. The revival Karamu House needed so desperately, had arrived. During this time, Margaret Ford-Taylor held the position of Executive Director and Sarah May, Artistic Director.
Since October 2003, Terrence Spivey has served as Karamu's artistic director
Artistic director
An artistic director is the executive of an arts organization, particularly in a theatre company, that handles the organization's artistic direction. He or she is generally a producer and director, but not in the sense of a mogul, since the organization is generally a non-profit organization...
. Since his arrival, Karamu has again risen to an unexpected pace artistically with the constant challenge of daring and provocative works for artist and audience alike. Karamu House Performing Arts Theatre continues to be one of American History's greatest treasures.
Recent Operations
Karamu offers art experiences for people of all ages through a variety of programs. The three primary program areas are the Early Childhood Development Center, the Center of Arts and Education, and the Karamu Performing Arts Theatre.Sharon Williford (Actress/Singer) was groomed by Karamu.
She appeared in Singin' and Shoutin' (Mike Malone)
, First Breeze of Summer (Leslie Lee)
In the Wine Time (1987) Don Evans.
Awards
On December 17, 1982, Karamu became listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
, and received an Ohio Historical Marker on June 16, 2003.
Notable acting alumni
In addition to earlier-mentioned names, Karamu's acting alumni come from all races and include:- Bill CobbsBill CobbsWilbert "Bill" Cobbs is an American film and television actor. He has starred in over 120 television programs and movies.-Life and career:...
(born June 16, 1934) - film, television, stage, directing, master workshops - Minnie GentryMinnie GentryMinnie Gentry was an American actress.Gentry was born Minnie Lee Watson in Norfolk, Virginia, the daughter of Mincie and Taylor Watson. Her family moved to Cleveland during her childhood, where she began studying piano at the age of nine, at the Phyllis Wheatley School of Music...
(1915–1993) — a Broadway, film and television actress - Robert GuillaumeRobert GuillaumeRobert "Bob" Guillaume is an American stage and television actor, best known for his role as Benson Du Bois on the TV-series Soap and the spin-off Benson, voicing the mandrill Rafiki in The Lion King and as Isaac Jaffe on Sports Night...
(born November 30, 1927) — a film, stage and television actor best known for starring — in the late 1970s–mid 1980s — in the television situation-comedySituation comedyA situation comedy, often shortened to sitcom, is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, accompanied with jokes as part of the dialogue...
seriesTelevision programA television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
SoapSoap (TV series)Soap is an American sitcom that originally ran on ABC from 1977 to 1981.The show was created as a parody of daytime soap operas, presented as a weekly half-hour prime time comedy. Similar to a soap opera, the show's story was presented in a serial format and included melodramatic plot elements such...
and its spin-off seriesSpin-off (media)In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
BensonBenson (TV series)Benson is an American television sitcom which aired from September 13, 1979, to April 19, 1986, on ABC. The series was a spin-off from the soap opera parody Soap ; however, Benson discarded the... - Dick LatessaDick LatessaRichard Robert "Dick" Latessa is an American actor.Latessa was born in Cleveland, Ohio to a mother who was an automotive upholstery maker. Latessa made his Broadway debut in The Education of H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N in 1968...
(born 1929) — a film, stage and television actor who won the 2003 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a MusicalTony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a MusicalThis is a list of the winners and nominations of Tony Award for the Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical. The award has been presented since 1947...
for his role in HairsprayHairspray (musical)Hairspray is a musical with music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman and a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, based on the 1988 John Waters film Hairspray. The songs include 1960s-style dance music and "downtown" rhythm and blues... - Ron O'NealRon O'NealRon O'Neal was an American actor, director and screenwriter...
(1937–2004) — an actor, film directorFilm directorA film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
and screenwriterScreenwriterScreenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
who appeared in many blaxploitation filmBlaxploitationBlaxploitation or blacksploitation is a film genre which emerged in the United States circa 1970. It is considered an ethnic sub-genre of the general category of exploitation films. Blaxploitation films were originally made specifically for an urban black audience, although the genre's audience...
s in the 1970s
Vaness Bell-Calloway born in 1956. Vanessa performed in Karamu's theater and modern dance departments. She earned a spot in the chorus of the Broadway musical, Dream Girls, advancing to countless film and television productions.
External links
- karaum.com, official website Karamu House
- http://ech.cwru.edu/ech-cgi/article.pl?id=KH, Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland History/Karamu
- http://aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/karamu-house-first-black-theater-company-america, African American Registry
- http://cleveland.about.com/od/theater/p/karamu.htm, Karamu House By Sandy Mitchell, About.com Guide
- http://ech.cwru.edu/ech-cgi/article.pl?id=KH, Case Western Reserve Encyclopedia of Cleveland History