Thursday, October 13, 2016

Trailblazers in Black History: Vinnette Justine Carroll


Vinnette Justine Carroll was an American playwright and actress, and the first African-American woman to direct on Broadway, with the 1972 musical Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope.

During her era, Carroll was one of the few women directing in commercial theater. She helped to develop a new form of theater, "the gospel song-play," in order to capture the richness and variety of life through music, theater, and dance.

The turning point for her was in 1957 when she formed her first all-black cast to present Dark of the Moon at the Harlem YMCA. The second production of Dark of the Moon also launched the careers of several young African-American actors – James Earl Jones, Shauneille Perry, and Harold Scott.  

Additional information is available here

Source: Wikipedia

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