Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / Feb. 16, 1984, edition 1 / Page 6
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Page A6-The Chronicle, Thursday, February 16, Close-Up - First black thea By AUDREY WILLIAMS Chronicle Staff Writer TelePrompTers have long since replaced the old standby of cue cards for actors who would Hub their lines and for newscasters who read the day's events from them. ?But Flonrtie Anderson, founder of the Flonnie Anderson Theatrical Association, believes members of the Community Players Guild were probably the first stage people ever to use such a resource. That was 23 years ago, when televison was still considered young, and Anderson, along with her husband, Rudy Anderson Sr., and 14 members of Winston-Salem's black community went before the city's Recreation Department to organize and receive funding for the nowdefunct Community Players Guild. , "The Community Guild died out because of a lack of leadership," says Anderson. "They didn't have a theatre person to keep it going after 1 left." Outside the NAACP, the Guild was considered one of the more stalwart and well-supported organizations in Winston-Salem's black community, but many ot TFte^ members who helped organize the Guild, including Anderson, who served as president, were young and beginning their families. Six years later in 1966, the Guild lost its members and its support. "It was just impossible for me to stay on as president with four young ones," she says. "I had also started teaching in the public school system and I was directing theatre in the school." This Friday, the pioneers of Winston-Salem's first black community theatre will reunite at the Salem College ' Fine Arts Center at 8:15 p.m. when Anderson's FATA vhF MK^ ^LM ^ka riJIIDrnAV rcnmiAiii/ tr lx iu|j|?My BVH^^vlAvw ^Vft'' 1 ...... I A DM C^U^l Qi-v-, |i^ - Alw?n ^ 1 ? ^ I * btorytimc tor cftifctren ages 3-5 years I oW will be held at the East Winston Branch Library I _ - - ? ? at 10 a. rn ? - ' . , > ??-?-? ? r '^.Aw1 Mil a 6:30-g " ll?l? * (itMmA $ neari-iugging piay ^ jrqpdk iflppninrougn oattnf* fNE' ' & TUT All- *^T fc I ? /*Al y\ " V ... ivcynoiuo itOQSv MHIH^HBR' AI f '*> - ?? -- ' T"" ??-; 723"3323?v'*' -''7 - . | ??, r?rt?Tfl 4 ^ ^ f ^IA y. |Y> ^*L A 'lIlK WIIT- ' r#llfltl*^ SlQi V l>CmiMfciK HvW - vvlPfHMsf? 1984 PEOPLE " itre reunites will dedicate its production of Agatha Christie's "Ten Little lndianyt^ToThe original members of the Guild. At 6:30 p.m., a display of pictures and other theatrical paraphernalia of the Guild in its heydey will be exhibited. The first production of the Guild was Christie's "Witness For The Prosecution." t 'AmrMiiMiti* D Lm - n r p ^ ? ? 1 '1 ^ ? C . t- t t. i iiv. v. V7iiii11 uiilly r lajcn vjuiiu ? U!> UlC UUiy DIUC'K community theatre group we could find in the South," says Anderson. "1 know because we looked for others to pattern our constitution after." After, years of promising her drama students at Parkland Senior High a black community theatre, she finally went ahead with the plans three years ago and founded FATA. "The Community Players Guild was the only black community theatre we could find in the South. I know because we looked for others to pattern our constitution after." . -o Anderson's roots in community theatre still remain with the Guild, and FATA's purpose has continued the tradition of the original community theatre 23 years and eight months ago. "The Community Players Guild is the harbinger of FATA," says Anderson, "and it uses as much talent as possible from the original group. "Just like the Guild, we want to offer this community a forum for their talents," she says. "Winston-Salem is small, but it's also large enough for people not to know each other. But with FATA, where you have people from all walks of life, it's enriching to get to know other people who live in this community." Anderson came up with the idea of a reunion of the Guild's first members. However, her only involvement in gfT ^^vhf. v ihk^^^p^^kv &, xr jrw \ ^b ^b\x bpfe. \ i \ jrwi *?iisi^b' m kill w 4%y*v*#-- ites i . v&gga^ m t t hw. Jm b* M mre t ; ^ & ^1 ^vx |2 ^bjf^w' ^mbk is^^8m|pw]!ijj^^^b 1 M 4 J x . ^ y The Purple Cross Nurses He Purple Cross Nursii The Purple Cross Nurs- Mary Benton, was first ing Unit No. 185, which is runner-up for Nurse of the - associated with the Garden Year. The nurses then atof Iris Tehiple No. 2202 tended the National Annual Camel City Lodge No. Grand Lodge Convention 1021, IBPOE of W Order in Miami, Fla., in August, of Elks of the World, points During that ceremony, two out some of its highlights of the local nurses, from 1983: Claudette Lindsey and BetThe state convention that ty Miller, were capped, was held on the May 14-17 On Sept. 18, the annual tin a r.1 AN r - ~ in winsionoaiem. une ot Heaitn Day program was the group's members, nurse held at the lodge. During Rescue Squad gives , Staff Sgt. George annimal bites, insect bites, Crawford, a member of the severe bruises, burns, chokSoutheast Winston Rescue ino Vtr\r^L' anH r\t#?r t r\r*\rc ? ? ? U10I auwi% uiiu v/nivi wpiVJi Squad Inc., conducted a The students, who are stubasic first aid class to the dying a first aid unit, pargroup of sixth-graders on ticipated in a question-andFeb. 10 at Easton In- answer session following termediate School, the presentation. Members Crawford gave first aid of the class also read narpointers to Linda Pounds' ratives on various aspects of class. first aid. The presentation includ- Crawford, who has aded tips on what to do and vanced emergency medical what not to do in cases of technician training, has 1C \ r \ Jp Calendar Community New* trifle LB ' >, ,.-. 'erflfcv ?1 1 MM H Hyf *;: ? 'f ^ MO. S . ^ >u< ^ V^f-: " r W ::i' .k M WnElMS&^B*SP3& ^5P^^3 mk^. ^^9U ^Hr ra lr J1^-' I 9 V^9 Flonnie Anderson readies the Salem Art Gallery foi the affair will be the exhibition. The rest will be up to members of FATA and John Moore III, who will direct s the production- for Anderson. a The drama teacher, who coached actress Fay Mauser and Jimmy Kennedy, soap opera star of "One Life to L ive," has no problems with stepping aside to let the f young take over. Anderson says she wants them to know V that organizations like the Guild were a progressive part ( of the black community. a "Young people have a misconception of progress prior to the civil rights movement as far as cultural enrichment f and education," says Anderson. "All of that was a part C of the black community. r ^ l " *' l' - > V A ^ ?*" ' w- v ^ *1 r i. 4 > hi M ^^KT'^H / c alth Department Unit No. 185 ig Unit recalls 1983 > b the program, eight nurses Durham, was the guest r were capped. They were speaker. ? 0 Mary Allison, Ronda j. Blyther, Thelma Carter, Officers for the 1984 year Elaine Cole, Lucille are Rochelle Pinson, presi- ^ Lomax, sortney steel, dent; Betty Miner, vice t Lilley Walters and Rosa president; Claudette Lind- e Wallace. Mrs. Annie- T. say, recording secretary; \, Carpenter directed the cap- Lucille Lomax, financial s ping ceremony and was secretary; Janie Brown, \ assisted by Rochelle Pin- treasurer; Maude Jackson, s son. Mrs. Elizabeth Bur- chaplain; and David rough Vereen, from Hawkins, escort. v 1 r ?? i 1 a < nrsi aid pointers \ years of rescue squad ex- charge of the public educa- ] perience. tion class. I Southeast Winston A < _ _ , , Any group or organizaRescue Squad also con- . . # . . , < , , , _ tion interested in learning - ducted CPR workshops for ,, , f ... ? t. r. , the basics of CPR or first the Paisley ROTC program ajd con(act u ; last week, and held a public McManus at 722-9414. i education class at Second New Bethel Church last The Southeast Winston Saturday. Sgt. Billy Glenn Rescue Squad Inc. is a and Sgt. Ron Goolsby con- totally not-for-profit colducted the CPR workshops, unteer organization and is [ and Lt. O.B. McManus and located at 1353 Diggs I Lt. Scott Hartman took Boulevard. 4 f % \ i I ? Bk ^pihMI^h^I W^ jr JKr ^*~" I W S Jm / w jI^h -x ' "Ten Little Indians" (photo by James Parker). "FATA is just as important to this community." she ays, "because we have participants from the craddle ilmost to the grave." The orginal organizers of the Guild were Cleester -iickerson, Maurice Johnson, Mariah Ferguson, Ruth -laith, Velma Watts, Sandra Motz, Blanche Hobsoni Wilson Weaver, Francis Turner, Roland Watts, Lui* Xerby, Bernard Foy, Charles Miller, Dr. Darwin Turner ind Dr. Joseph Patterson. Members of the -first cast and crew were Edward Janes, Fred Williams, Sylvester Humphreys, Dr. Joseph Jordon, Henry Jones, William Anderson Jr., Janet Wai> en, Juanita Gordon and Rudy Anderson Sr. , Social Notes Garden Club meets The Lachenalia Garden?arvdeG?importer; Addie !lub met for its February Acey, chaplain; and Mrs; meeting at the home of Christine Gaitherj 1rs. Doris Herrell. The parliamentarian, leeting opened with devo- . t^e March meeting* onal services by Mrs. Ad- Mrs. Gaither is arranging to ie Ruth Acey. have a representative frora The business meeting was Buena Vista Floral Shop to onducted by the president, visit with us Irs. Christene Campbell. The officers are Mrs. . Mr?" Vernon Gaston :hristene Campbell, presi- J01,ned ,h? ?rouP' A very ent; Mrs. Patricia Dosier, del.c.ous dtnner was served ice president; Mrs. Doris by the hostesslarrell, secretary; Mrs. Present at the meeting )elores Wall, assistant were Doris Herrell, Delores ecretary; Mrs. Annie S. Wall, Christine Campbell, Alexander, treasurer; Delores Douthit, Christine )elores Wall, . Gaither, Addie Acey and )hotographer; Annie Alex- Annie Alexander. Gaines featured on radio -Winston-Salem State woman to graduate from fniversity Basketball Columbia University Law !oach Clarence School, and the first black Bighouse" Gaines, along woman to practice law and ,;?Vi nnr^ar/Mic tn trv a C3CP in tKn VI f** r 1 I 1 I UUlliVl UUJ WU1VI UIUVI> wt J U VUJV ill II IV ll.Vf iorth Carolinans, are suFf-* Supreme Court. She also is jets of 14 radio public ser- the first black female judge ice announcements now -elected in the United States. >eing aired on statewide Also included is Ellerbee's adio stations in observance Henry Frye, educator, if -February as Black legislator and lawyer and -listory Month. the first black ever to sit on Black North Carolinians the N.C. Supreme Court, lave made major contribu- Others are educator ions in many fields from Charlotte Hawkins Brown; ducation and religion to John Chavis, educator and aw and arts, and their minister; George Moses pecific efforts are outlined Horton, a black slave who n the series of 30-second became a poet; John Colpot announcements. trane, one of the world's These announcements most accomplished musi vill be heard throughout cians; Komare Bearden, a -ebruary, according to An- leading collagist; black lette Gibbs, project coor- businessmen John Merrick iinator. and Aaron McDuffie Among people and events Moore, both founders of discussed in the series, North Carolina Mutual In*hich covers the period surance Co.; and their first from the early 19th century employee, Charles C. to the present, are the Spaulding. original civil rights sit-ins in Also featured in the Greensboro in 1960 by public service anseveral black college nouncements are several students. religions that founded colOthers to be featured are leges, including Shaw Charles Waddell Chesnutt University, Baptist; of Fayetteville, who was a Johnson C. Smith, lawyer, educator and the Presbyterian; St. first distinguished black Augustine, Episcopalian; American novelist; Elreta Bennett College, M. Alexander of Methodist, Livingston^ Smithfield, the first black College, AME Zion.
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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Feb. 16, 1984, edition 1
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