Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title Bob Johnson Papers Creator
Johnson, Robert
Collection Number CTC.2014.03 Extent
17 Linear Feet
(15 boxes)
Date 1949-2003 Abstract The Bob Johnson Papers contain paper based, photographic, and audio-visual materials related to the Brooklyn born, Pittsburgh-based, dancer/choreographer, actor and director. Johnson founded the Pittsburgh Black Theatre Dance Ensemble and served as a dance and drama lecturer at the University of Pittsburgh. Additionally, Robert Johnson toured internationally as a dancer and participated in a number of local, Broadway, and Off-Broadway productions as an actor, choreographer, and director. Language
English
. Author Meaghan Alston. Publisher ULS Archives & Special Collections Address University of Pittsburgh Library Systemhttp://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections Arrangement
The Bob Johnson Papers are arranged into the following series:
I. Personal Material, 1949-1992
II. Stephanie Johnson, ca. 1950- 2003
III. Journals/Notebooks, ca.1960-1986
IV. Artistic and Professional Career, 1956-1996
V. Pittsburgh Black Theatre Dance Ensemble, 1970-1985
VI. Teaching at the University of Pittsburgh, 1969-1986
VII. Black Arts Movement Scripts and Ephemera, 1966-1990
VIII. Audio/Visual Recordings, 1969-1985
Biography
Robert "Bob" Johnson was born on March 31, 1938 in Brooklyn, New York, to Viola Sutton and Fredrick Johnson. He received his foundational dance training at the New York Metropolitan High School of the Performing Arts (now LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts). Johnson began his professional career in 1960 as a member of the Eleo Pomare and Raymond Sawyer Dance Company. During this time, he continued his formal study of dance at a number of New York-based studios. On scholarships, Johnson studied dance composition, Hattian and Afro-Caribbean under Jean-Léon Destiné at the New Dance Group Studio, the Lector Horton Technique at the Clark Center of the Performing Arts, and the Katherine Dunham Technique under Ms. Dunham herself.
In 1965, Johnson traveled to Paris as part of Katherine Dunham's last professional company and took part in the French movie musical Deux Anges Sont Venus and the film adaptation of Léopold Sédar Senghor'sChaka . Upon returning to the United States in 1966, Mr. Johnson took dance instructor positions in Washington, D.C. and New York City. In this same year he made his acting debut as the lead in Kelly Marie Berry's dance drama, Black Happenin' . In 1967, Bob Johnson appeared in the N.Y. Shakespeare Festival original production of Hair . This was quickly followed by a dramatic role in Ed Bullins' Off-Broadway production,Goin' a Buffallo . Between 1968 and 1969 he returned to his dance background with stints with the Harlem Cultural Council's Dancemobile.
In 1969, Bob Johnson relocated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to serve as a dance consultant for Project Self Esteem, a collaboration between local universities and youth groups. Members of the University of Pittsburgh's Black Studies Department took notice of Johnson in this role and offered him a position teaching both dance and drama in the department starting in the 1970-1971 school year. He accepted the post and remained in the department until his death in 1986. His courses included Afro American Dance I and II and Kuumba Theatre Workshop, later renamed Creativity Workshop. It was also in Pittsburgh where he met and married his wife, the former Stephanie Cooper.
In 1970, Bob Johnson founded the Pittsburgh Black Theatre Dance Ensemble which aimed to shed light on the breadth of culture in the African Diaspora to bring attention to issues facing the community through dance. Johnson served as artistic director of the company for a number of years during which time he choreographed signature works such as Free Spirit Song , Ritual of Damballah , Ego Trippin' and American Fruit with African Roots . Outside of the university and the dance company he founded, Mr. Johnson continued to work professionally as a dancer, choreographer, actor and director. During the summer months, Johnson toured nationally and internationally as a Dancer with Sun Ra and His Arkestra, performing in such places as Nigeria, Italy, France, and the Netherlands. As a choreographer, he crafted dance numbers for local productions such as the musical Liberty Avenue , and Off-Broadway Plays including Who Loves the Dancer by Rob Penny and How do you Spell Watergait by James Durrah. He continued to pursue local stage work and made his film debut in the John Russo horror film Midnight . Johnson would also go on to direct theater, notably the first staged production of August Wilson's Jitney in 1982.
Bob Johnson passed away due to heart failure on July 6, 1986.
Scope and Content Notes The Bob Johnson Papers date from Johnson's late teens and early twenties in 1950s and 1960s (New York City) through his death in Pittsburgh in 1986. The collection is comprised of personal and professional letters, writings, contracts, scripts, theatre ephemera, and choreographic and artistic notes/illustrations. Further, the Johnson Papers contain photographic and A/V items, press clippings, material related to the Pittsburgh Black Theatre Dance Ensemble, material related to his tenure as a lecturer at the University of Pittsburgh, and the papers of his widow, the late Stephanie Cooper Johnson. The collection is broken into eight series and a number of subseries and sections. For the most part, each subseries' or section's folders are listed in chronological order.
Acquisition Information
Gift of the Johnson Estate: Marimba Johnson Bright (daughter) and Samba Johnson (son) in December 2014.
Copyright
The University of Pittsburgh holds the property rights to the material in this collection, but the copyright may still be held by the original creator/author. Researchers are therefore advised to follow the regulations set forth in the U.S. Copyright Code when publishing, quoting, or reproducing material from this collection without the consent of the creator/author or that go beyond what is allowed by fair use.
Preferred Citation
Bob Johnson Papers, 1949-2003, CTC.2014.03, Curtis Theatre Collection, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Meaghan Alston and Catherine Peebles between September 2015 and August 2016. Additional processing completed by William Daw and Abigail Hutzel in 2022.
Related Material
The Ford E. and Harriet R. Curtis Theatre Collection of Pittsburgh Performing Arts Information Files, CTC.Infofiles.Pgh, Curtis Theatre Collection, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Access and Use
In compliance with FERPA regulations, the following material has restricted access: Series VI: Teaching at the University of Pittsburgh: Subseries 3: Classes: Section: Student Work. To access material in this series the researcher must agree to sign a confidentiality agreement provided by Archives & Special Collections. All remaining portions of the collection are free of restrictions.
General
The processing of the audio/visual media in this collection was supported by a Recordings at Risk grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources. The grant program is made possible by funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Subjects Corporate Names University of Pittsburgh. Department of Black Community Education, Research and Development Kuntu Repertory Theatre Personal Names Penny, Rob Wilson, August Johnson, Stephanie Dunham, Katherine Johnson, Robert Genres Faculty papers Personal papers Other Subjects Performing arts -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh Black Arts movement Dance -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh Choreographers -- United States Modern dance -- United States -- History -- 20th century African American dance -- History -- 20th century African American dance Dance -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- United States Container List Series I. Personal Material , 1949-1992 Scope and Content Notes This series contains personal material related to Bob Johnson over the course of his life. Items in the series include a selection of awards and personal effects from his youth and artistic career, personal correspondence and topical material related to racial justice and the arts. This series also contains items related to Mr. Johnson's 1986 death and memorial services, and over 30 years of personal photographs.
Subseries 1. Effects and Awards , 1949-1992 Autograph Book , 1949 Containers box 1 , folder 1 Slang Book Containers box 1 , folder 2 Frederick Johnson, Veterans Administration Documents , August 1962 Containers box 1 , folder 3 Photo Album , ca. 1955-1965 French Work Permit , 1965 Containers box 1 , folder 4 Clippings Collage Containers box 1 , folder 5 Poetry art collage (Oversize) , ca. 1970 Containers map-case 25-6 , oversize 2 Passport , 1971-1976 Containers box 1 , folder 6 Harvard Summer School, Arts Administrative Certificate , 1972 Containers box 1 , folder 7 FESTAC ID , 1977 Containers box 1 , folder 8 Poster, FESTAC (Oversize) , 1977 Containers map-case 25-6 , oversize 1 Personal Letterhead Containers box 1 , folder 9 Bicentennial Commission of Pennsylvania Appreciation Award , 1976 Containers box 1 , folder 10 House of the Crossroads Appreciation Award , 1980 Containers box 1 , folder 11 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Coalition Award , 1992 Containers box 1 , folder 12 Jimmy Hendrix Art Print by D. Jevsevar (Oversized) Containers box 14 , folder 1 Poster, Don't Call Me Man featuring the Howard Moore Ensemble (Oversized) , November 1975 Containers box 14 , folder 2 Subseries 2. Topical Files , 1966-1985 Africa Today v.17 no.41970 Containers box 1 , folder 13 African Nationalist Pioneer Movement Newsletters , 1966 Containers box 1 , folder 14 Amiri Baraka's Comments on Resignation of Haki Madhubuti and Jitu Weusi , May 24, 1974 Containers box 1 , folder 15 Anti-Apartheid Publications , 1969-1986 Containers box 1 , folder 16 Black Dialogue Magazine v.4 no.21970 Containers box 1 , folder 17 Black News v.1 no.34 and v.2 no.101971-1973 Containers box 1 , folder 18 The Black Scholar v.1 no.11969 Containers box 1 , folder 19 Black Solidarity Fair program , May 1972 Containers box 1 , folder 20 Galley Proof,Island Possessed by Katherine Dunham , 1969 Containers box 1 , folder 21 Institute of the Black World , 1971-1979 Containers box 1 , folder 22 NDTC Newsletter XI Containers box 1 , folder 23 National Endowment for the Arts, Neighborhood Arts Center booklets 2-4 Containers box 1 , folder 24 Persad Center, Board of Directors , 1976-1977 Containers box 1 , folder 25 Proposed Statement of Principles and Charter for a National Black Independent Political Party , 1980 Containers box 1 , folder 26 Racial Justice in Broadcasting Containers box 1 , folder 27 Sun Ra , 1969-1979 Containers box 1 , folder 28 Talk: The Family Magazine 1971-1973 Containers box 1 , folder 29 United States Political Involvement in Angola and South Africa , 1976-1985 Containers box 1 , folder 30 The Universal Messengers: Revolution Poems by Hassan Ali, Keito, Mahade Mohammed Ahmed1970 Containers box 1 , folder 31 Posters, Black political activism (Oversize) , ca. 1968-1982 Containers map-case 25-6 , oversize 3 Posters, Black Arts Movement (Oversize) , ca. 1968-1982 Containers map-case 25-6 , oversize 3 Posters, Black political activism Pittsburgh (Oversize) , ca. 1970-1982 Containers map-case 25-6 , oversize 3 Posters, Black Arts Movement Pittsburgh (Oversize) , ca. 1970-1982 Containers map-case 25-6 , oversize 3 Subseries 3. Correspondence , 1963-1986 Maisha Baton , ca.1978-1984 Containers box 1 , folder 32-38 Maisha Baton, Photograph for Birthday (Oversized) , 1978 Containers box 14 , folder 3 Felecia Bell , 1984 Containers box 1 , folder 39 Bill , 1975 Containers box 1 , folder 40 Glenn Brooks , 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 41 Walter Campbell , 1980 Containers box 1 , folder 42 Dan Containers box 1 , folder 43 David , 1983 Containers box 1 , folder 44 Chuck Davis Containers box 1 , folder 45 Eddy , 1964 Containers box 1 , folder 46 EST Training , 1978 Containers box 1 , folder 47 L.D. Fraiser , 1981 Containers box 1 , folder 48 Marcella Galbusera , 1981 Containers box 1 , folder 49 Gail Gibson Containers box 1 , folder 50 Janet Gillespie , 1976 Containers box 1 , folder 51 Vivian Graham Containers box 1 , folder 52 Veronica Henderson Containers box 1 , folder 53 Karen Holmes , 1980 Containers box 1 , folder 54 Phyllis Hyman Containers box 1 , folder 55 Joan , 1963 Containers box 1 , folder 56 Byron Johns , 1981-1986 Containers box 1 , folder 57 Fredrick Johnson Containers box 1 , folder 58 Gwendolyn Kayser , 1971-1973 Containers box 1 , folder 59 Lamont Containers box 1 , folder 60 Howard S. Lucus , 1984 Containers box 1 , folder 61 Michelle Macau , 1984 Containers box 1 , folder 62 Mary , 1976-1981 Containers box 1 , folder 63 Maja Milenivić , 1979-1981 Containers box 1 , folder 64 Maliki Rucker , 1978 Containers box 1 , folder 65 Otis Sallid , 1984 Containers box 1 , folder 66 Raymond Sawyer , 1980 Containers box 1 , folder 67 Sheri Containers box 1 , folder 68 Ed Smith , 1974 Containers box 1 , folder 69 Richard Smith , ca. 1965 Containers box 1 , folder 70 Maxine Strawder , 1971-1985 Containers box 1 , folder 71 Meredith Stuart , 1982 Containers box 1 , folder 72 Suliman , 1986 Containers box 1 , folder 73 Gilbert Sutton , 1984 Containers box 1 , folder 74 Teddy , 1980 Containers box 1 , folder 75 Delores Vanisop , 1968 Containers box 1 , folder 76 Leslie Warner Containers box 1 , folder 77 Mautez V. Wilson Containers box 1 , folder 78 Second World African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) Correspondence , 1977-1980 Containers box 1 , folder 79 Unknown , 1966 Containers box 1 , folder 80 Greeting Cards and Post Cards , 1965-1973 Containers box 1 , folder 81-82 "Get Well Soon" Cards , 1984-1986 Containers box 1 , folder 83 Subseries 4. Obituaries and Memorials , 1986-1989 Memorial Programs , 1986 Containers box 1 , folder 84 Concert Planning , 1986 Containers box 1 , folder 85 Concert Flyer , 1986 Containers box 1 , folder 86 Concert Ticket , 1986 Containers box 1 , folder 87 Bob Johnson Memorial Fund Donation Slip , 1986 Containers box 1 , folder 88 Thank You Letters , 1986 Containers box 1 , folder 89 Black Studies Newsletter v.1 no.3: Bob Johnson Dedication1986 Containers box 1 , folder 90 Poem: For Bob Johnson by August Wilson , 1986 Containers box 1 , folder 91 In Memory of My Father by Marimba Johnson Containers box 1 , folder 92 African Heritage Classroom Committee Tribute to Bob Johnson Containers box 1 , folder 93 My Buddy Notes v. 2, no. 4/5: "In Memory of My Father" by Marimba Johnson1988 Containers box 1 , folder 94 To BJ by Sandra Sowell-Scott , 1986 Containers box 1 , folder 95 Program: Salute to the Arts, VII A Sacred Service Honoring Deceased Minority Artists and Celebrating The Afro-American Contribution to the Performing and Visual Arts , 1987 Containers box 1 , folder 96 My Buddy Notes v.3 no.81989 Containers box 1 , folder 97 Press, Robert Johnson Passing , 1986 Containers box 1 , folder 98 Subseries 5. Photographs , 1958-1986 Unidentified Woman by Coca-Cola Machine , December 1958 Containers box 11 , folder 1 Johnson Beach Candid , September 1959 Containers box 11 , folder 2 Young Johnson and Friends, Slides , ca. 1959-1964 Containers box 11 , folder 3 New York City Candids , ca. 1959-1961 Containers box 11 , folder 4 New York City Candids, Negatives , ca. 1959-1960s Containers box 11 , folder 5 Beach Color Candids, Negatives , ca. 1960s Containers box 11 , folder 6 Nightclub Performance, Negatives , ca. 1960s Containers box 11 , folder 7 Unidentified Negatives , ca. 1960s Containers box 11 , folder 8 Forest Candids , July 1963 Containers box 11 , folder 9 New York City Subway Drummer , ca. 1960s Containers box 11 , folder 10 Freda Vanterpool (Oversized) , ca. 1960s Containers box 14 , folder 4 Washington D.C. and New York City Candids, Slides , 1971 Containers box 11 , folder 11 Urban Landscapes and Candids , ca. 1970s Containers box 11 , folder 12-13 Concert, Beach, and Meeting Candids , 1972 Containers box 11 , folder 14-15 Candid Portraits , September 1972 Containers box 11 , folder 16 Pittsburgh City Scenes and Children , ca. 1970s Containers box 11 , folder 17 Maisha Baton Containers box 11 , folder 18-19 Friends and Family Candids , ca. 1970s Containers box 11 , folder 20 Color Candids, Slides , 1971-1978 Containers box 11 , folder 21-34 Black and White Beach Shots , ca. 1970s Containers box 11 , folder 35 Johnson Candids with Unidentified Man Containers box 11 , folder 36 Candid Friends and Family , ca. 1970s Containers box 11 , folder 37 Unidentified Women with Silk Scarf Containers box 11 , folder 38 Unidentified Family and Friends, Black and White and Color Negatives , ca. 1970s Containers box 11 , folder 39-40 Los Angeles Trip , 1977 Containers box 11 , folder 41 Eden, Nigerian Pen Pal , 1977 Containers box 11 , folder 42 Marimba and Samba Johnson , ca. 1970s Containers box 11 , folder 43-44 Wrapped in the Flag Containers box 11 , folder 45 Portraits of Bob Johnson Containers box 11 , folder 46 Bob Johnson with Dancers at Creek Containers box 11 , folder 47 Three Rivers Stadium and Pittsburgh Skyline , 1985 Containers box 11 , folder 48 McCurdy Arts Complex "Fete" Invitation with Photograph , 1986 Containers box 11 , folder 49 Unidentified Candids and Portraits Containers box 11 , folder 50 Unidentified Man, Photograph and Negatives , ca. 1970s Containers box 11 , folder 51 Family and Friends, Color Negatives , ca. 1970s Containers box 11 , folder 52 Portrait of Raymond Sawyer (Oversize) , ca. 1970 Containers box 14 , folder 5 Unidentified and Miscellaneous Photographs , ca. 1970-1986 Containers box 13 , folder 1-26 Unidentified and Miscellaneous Photographs (Oversized) , ca. 1970-1986 Containers box 14 , folder 6-8 Series II. Stephanie Johnson , ca. 1950- 2003 Biography Stephanie Cooper Johnson was born November 10, 1948 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, to Samuel and Ernestine Davis Cooper. Mrs. Johnson graduated from McKeesport High School and later went on to attend the University of Pittsburgh. At Pitt she earned both her B.S. and Masters of Library and Information Science. She then worked for many years as the children's librarian at both the Homewood and Wilkinsburg libraries.
Mrs. Johnson was deeply involved in her community and active in a number of organizations. She served as a committee member of Pittsburgh Ward 4, an officer with the University of Pittsburgh African American Alumni Council, member of the Alumnae Association, and Afro-American History Society. Mrs. Johnson's deepest and most sustained involvement was with the Pittsburgh Black Theatre Dance Ensemble, founded by her late husband Bob Johnson. Stephanie Johnson was instrumental in orchestrating the company's revival in the early 2000s.
Scope and Content Notes Items in this series relate to activities in Stephanie Johnson's community work and personal life, her work with the Pittsburgh Black Theatre Dance Ensemble and its revival, as well as her time as an officer with the University of Pittsburgh's African American Alumni Council
Subseries 1. Personal , 1983-2003 Correspondence: Sonya Cooper (Sister) , 1983 Containers box 2 , folder 1 Correspondence: Kimberly C. Ellis Containers box 2 , folder 2 Correspondence: Yvonne , 1999 Containers box 2 , folder 3 Mother's Day Card Containers box 2 , folder 4 Press Clippings, Samba Johnson , ca. 1992 Containers box 2 , folder 5 Press Clippings, Stephanie Johnson , 1996 Containers box 2 , folder 6 Press Clippings, Finishing and Modeling School , ca.1968 Containers box 2 , folder 7 African Heritage Classroom Committee: A Tribute to a Living Elder , 1994 Containers box 2 , folder 8 African Heritage Classroom: Book of Honor , 1996 Containers box 2 , folder 9 Cooper Golden Wedding Anniversary Announcement , 1997 Containers box 2 , folder 10 Black League for African American Culture , 1990 Containers box 2 , folder 11 Certificate of Election to Democratic County Committee , 1998 Containers box 2 , folder 12 Memorial Poem for Johnson by Dennis Brutus , 1999 Containers box 2 , folder 13 Program, DanceAfrica with Chuck Davis Autograph , 1996 Containers box 2 , folder 14 Press Clippings, August Wilson , 1999-2003 Containers box 2 , folder 15 August Wilson Programs with Autographs , 1987-1999 Containers box 2 , folder 16 Pitt Magazine Articles1993-1999 Containers box 2 , folder 17 Subseries 2. Pittsburgh Black Theatre Dance Ensemble Revival , 1970-2003 'The Artist, The Art, and the Ensemble' Grant Proposal , 1996 Containers box 2 , folder 18 Grant Proposal Notes , 1996-2000 Containers box 2 , folder 19 Grant Supporting Documents , 1970-1986 Containers box 2 , folder 20-29 Administration and Correspondence , ca. 2002-2004 Containers box 2 , folder 30 Dancer Biographies Containers box 2 , folder 31 Copyright Registration Procedures Containers box 2 , folder 32 Company Ephemera , 2003 Containers box 2 , folder 33 Company Press , 2003 Containers box 2 , folder 34 Posters (Oversized) , 2003 Containers box 14 , folder 9 Subseries 3. University of Pittsburgh African American Alumni Association , 1996-2003 Stephanie Johnson Biography in Pitt Alumni Association Annual Report , 1996 Containers box 2 , folder 35 100 Pitt African American Women Pioneers , 1996 Containers box 2 , folder 36 Homecoming Program and newspaper clipping , 1996 Containers box 2 , folder 37 Strategic Planning , 1996 Containers box 2 , folder 38 Planning , 1996-2002 Containers box 2 , folder 39 Correspondence, Ken Green , 1997 Containers box 2 , folder 40 County Proclamation , 1998 Containers box 2 , folder 41 African American Alumni Council Newsletters , 1998-1999 Containers box 2 , folder 42 Homecoming , 1999 Containers box 2 , folder 43 Meeting Notes and Planning , 1996-2002 Containers box 2 , folder 44-45 Homecoming Program , 2000 Containers box 2 , folder 46 Council Roster , 2001 Containers box 2 , folder 47 Correspondence, Mark A. Nordenberg , 2001 Containers box 2 , folder 48 Blue, Gold & Black: Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg Reports on the Pitt African American Experience 2002 Containers box 2 , folder 49 Homecoming Program , 2003 Containers box 2 , folder 50 Events , 2003 Containers box 2 , folder 51 Subseries 4. Photographs , ca.1950-1987 Childhood Candids , ca. 1950s-1960s Containers box 11 , folder 53 Teen Years , ca. 1960s Containers box 11 , folder 54 Modeling , ca. 1969 Containers box 11 , folder 55-56 Candids , ca. 1975-1980 Containers box 11 , folder 57 August Wilson at Various Events , ca. 1987 Containers box 11 , folder 58 Series III. Journals/Notebooks , ca.1960-1986 Scope and Content Notes This series is made up of a number of Bob Johnson's personal journals and notebooks. They contain handwritten entries on numerous topics including poetry, dance, teaching, acting, politics, and daily observations. Taken as a whole, they serve as a unique insight into the creative mind of Mr. Johnson. These journals and notebooks were rarely dated or titled. The titles and arrangement were impossed by the archivists.
File 1. Dance Sketches Containers box 2 , folder 52 File 2. Black Dance Notes Containers box 2 , folder 53 File 3. Black Dance, Poetry, Media Containers box 2 , folder 54 File 4. The Importance of Concert Dance, Eleo Pomare, Poetry Containers box 2 , folder 55 File 5. African American Dancers and Racism Containers box 2 , folder 56 File 6. Dance Machine Skit Containers box 2 , folder 57 File 7. Kuumba Workshop Containers box 3 , folder 1 File 8. Childhood, Dance Forms Containers box 3 , folder 2 File 9. Choreographers Comment Draft, Black Dance Companies, Chuck Davis Poem Containers box 3 , folder 3 File 10. Freddie from Haiti Containers box 3 , folder 4 File 11. Teaching Notes Containers box 3 , folder 5 File 12. Production Notes Containers box 3 , folder 6 File 13. Professional Notes - KRAAL, Jamaica Containers box 3 , folder 7 File 14. Script, Reading Notes, Attendance Containers box 3 , folder 8 File 15. Dance Education Philosophy Containers box 3 , folder 9 File 16. Teaching Containers box 3 , folder 10 File 17. Production Containers box 3 , folder 11 File 18. Production, Education Philosophy Containers box 3 , folder 12 File 19. Teaching Philosophy, Directing Containers box 3 , folder 13 File 20. Dance Technique Containers box 3 , folder 14 File 21. Letters, Black Dance Containers box 3 , folder 15 File 22. Teaching, Dance in Nigeria Containers box 3 , folder 16 File 23. Lyrics/ Dialogue, 6 Week Workshop Containers box 3 , folder 17 File 24. Production Containers box 3 , folder 18 File 25. Productions, Teaching Philosophy Containers box 3 , folder 19 File 26. Kuumba Workshop, Contacts Containers box 3 , folder 20 File 27. Proposal Drafts, Roller Skating, Dance Containers box 3 , folder 21 File 28. Move to Pittsburgh, Black Studies Department Containers box 3 , folder 22 File 29. Letter of Rec., Black Poetry Event Proposal Containers box 3 , folder 23 File 30. Production Proposals, Professional Dossier Containers box 3 , folder 24 File 31. Press Party List Containers box 3 , folder 25 File 32. Lyrics Containers box 3 , folder 26 File 33. Trilogy Workshop, PBTDE Containers box 3 , folder 27 File 34. Contacts in Dance and Theater, Teaching Containers box 3 , folder 28 File 35. Theatre Urge Press Release, Productions, Nigeria Containers box 3 , folder 29 File 36. Production, Lyrics, To Do Containers box 3 , folder 30 File 37. Jitney , Halloween Project, Kuumbaca.1960-1985 Containers box 3 , folder 31 File 38. Contacts, Black Conference of Higher Edu. Containers box 3 , folder 32 File 39. Productions, Kuumba, Tenure Request Containers box 3 , folder 33 File 40. Script Drafts, Memoir and Professional Narrative Containers box 3 , folder 34 File 41. MFA Program, Kuumba Containers box 3 , folder 35 File 42. Professional Bio, Dance Containers box 3 , folder 36 File 43. Ideas for "Love Duet", Productions Containers box 3 , folder 37 File 44. Direction, Expenses Containers box 3 , folder 38 File 45. Department Goals, Teaching Containers box 3 , folder 39 File 46. Production, Lyrics, Dance Improv Containers box 3 , folder 40 File 47. Production, Direction Containers box 3 , folder 41 File 48. PBTDE Job Descriptions, Duties Containers box 3 , folder 42 File 49. Dept. of Black Studies, "Jammin'" Roller Skating Containers box 3 , folder 43 File 50. PBTDE Administration,Workshop Proposal Containers box 3 , folder 44 File 51. Bitches Brew, Crit., Lyrics Containers box 3 , folder 45 File 52. Jitney , Kuumba, African American Dance ClassContainers box 3 , folder 46 File 53. Talking Jazz Containers box 3 , folder 47 File 54. African American Dance, Talking Jazz Containers box 3 , folder 48 File 55. Dance, Contacts, Talking Jazz Class Containers box 3 , folder 49 File 56. Black Dance in America Containers box 3 , folder 50 File 57. Black Dance Containers box 3 , folder 51 File 58. Choreography, Dance Containers box 3 , folder 52 File 59. Teaching, Promotion, Tenure Containers box 3 , folder 53 File 60. Black Theater, Teaching Containers box 3 , folder 54 File 61. African Heritage Studies Assn., Travel, Lyrics Containers box 3 , folder 55 File 62. Dance, Black America Containers box 3 , folder 56 File 63. African American Dance Class Containers box 3 , folder 57 File 64. PBTDE Containers box 3 , folder 58 File 65. Journal Containers box 3 , folder 59 File 66. American Dreams Containers box 3 , folder 60 File 67. Loose Journal, Observations, New York Containers box 3 , folder 61 File 68. Unidentified Play Scenes Containers box 3 , folder 62 File 69. Unidentified Play Scenes and Departmental Proposals Containers box 3 , folder 63 File 70. Teaching and PBTDE Containers box 3 , folder 64 File 71. Black Artists Today, Dance Containers box 3 , folder 65 File 72. Dance, Professional Experience Containers box 3 , folder 66 File 73. Theater Notes Containers box 3 , folder 67 File 74. Loose Theater Notes Containers box 3 , folder 68 File 75. Dance Education Containers box 3 , folder 69 File 76. Choreography Containers box 3 , folder 70 File 77. Nigeria Journal, Letter Drafts Containers box 3 , folder 71 File 78. Mix Tapes Containers box 3 , folder 72 File 79. World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC), Sun Ra , 1977 Containers box 3 , folder 73 File 80. Isis and Osiris Containers box 3 , folder 74 File 81. First Entrance poem, Drafts Containers box 3 , folder 75 File 82. Paris Notebook, Choreography Containers box 3 , folder 76 File 83. Puerto Rico Visit Containers box 3 , folder 77 File 84. Unknown Script and Performance Containers box 3 , folder 78 File 85. Isis , 1972 Containers box 3 , folder 79 Series IV. Artistic and Professional Career , 1956-1996 Scope and Content Notes This series documents professional activities in Mr. Johnson's career over a 30 year period between 1955 and 1985. The first subseries relates to professional correspondence, while all remaining subseries contain manuscript, photographs and audiovisual material related to specific artistic roles inhabited by Bob Johnson during his career including dancer, choreographer, actor, director, and writer. Some examples of material in this series include ephemera and photographs from throughout his career including some of Mr. Johnson's earliest professional dance and instructor events as well as his time in the company for Hair . Also included are journals and correspondence from his time in Paris with the Dunham Company, scripts for plays that he choreographed like Liberty Avenue , acted in like Day of the Picnic , or directed like August Wilson's Jitney! The series also contains a number of poems and an autobiographical play entitled Plunk's Theme .
Subseries 1. Correspondence , 1964-1986 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority , 1986 Containers box 3 , folder 80 Alvin Ailey , ca. 1974 Containers box 3 , folder 81 American Foundation for the Science of Creative Intelligence , 1972 Containers box 3 , folder 82 American Guild of Musical Artists , 1964 Containers box 3 , folder 83 American Guild of Variety Artists , 1964 Containers box 3 , folder 84 Maisha Baton , 1984 Containers box 3 , folder 85 Jeanne Bromar , 1969 Containers box 3 , folder 86 Kelly Marie Berry , 1985 Containers box 3 , folder 87 BlackFire Theatre, Birmingham Alabama , 1973 Containers box 3 , folder 88 Dr. Buffkins, University of Maryland , 1978 Containers box 3 , folder 89 Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh , 1985 Containers box 3 , folder 90 Jean Corrie Church, Hackley Collection, Detroit Public Library , 1983 Containers box 3 , folder 91 Dance Uhuru , 1976 Containers box 3 , folder 92 Peter Deanda , 1981 Containers box 3 , folder 93 Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. , 1985 Containers box 3 , folder 94 James A. Devinney, Metropolitan Pittsburgh Public Broadcasting Inc. , 1979 Containers box 3 , folder 95 Lucille Ellis, Dunham School , 1964 Containers box 3 , folder 96 Eugene O'Neill Memorial Theater , 1973 Containers box 3 , folder 97 Samuel A. Foster, Fisk University , 1978 Containers box 3 , folder 98 Mary Folberg, Portland Public Schools , 1978 Containers box 3 , folder 99 Martha Glaser , 1983 Containers box 3 , folder 100 James B. Gwynne , 1984 Containers box 3 , folder 101 Nancy Hanks, National Council of the Arts , 1973 Containers box 3 , folder 102 Harambee of Pittsburgh , 1985-1986 Containers box 3 , folder 103 Richard and Janice Harris , 1982 Containers box 3 , folder 104 Ruther Henderson , 1986 Containers box 3 , folder 105 Carole Y. Johnson , 1969-1972 Containers box 3 , folder 106 Majorie Johnson , 1971 Containers box 3 , folder 107 Kris Keiser, Ksiser Productions Inc. , 1974 Containers box 3 , folder 108 John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts , 1978 Containers box 3 , folder 109 Dawn Ketterman, Monavian College , 1978 Containers box 3 , folder 110 Yusef Komonyakaa, University of New Orleans , 1983 Containers box 3 , folder 111 Jean Bryant Lawson , 1980 Containers box 3 , folder 112 Richard Long, Atlanta University , 1985 Containers box 3 , folder 113 Bayo Martins , 1978 Containers box 3 , folder 114 Margaret Matthews , 1971 Containers box 3 , folder 115 Modern Organization for Dance Evolvement (M.O.D.E.) Inc. , 1971-1973 Containers box 3 , folder 116 William Moore, Black Theatre Alliance , 1977 Containers box 3 , folder 117 Clyde Morgan , 1975 Containers box 3 , folder 118 Morton Winston School of Dance , 1973 Containers box 3 , folder 119 Novella Nelson , 1975 Containers box 3 , folder 120 New Lafayette Theatre , 1971 Containers box 3 , folder 121 New York Public Library , 1979 Containers box 3 , folder 122 Stanze Peterson Containers box 3 , folder 123 Philadelphia School of Dance , 1971 Containers box 3 , folder 124 Rosalind Pierson , 1984 Containers box 3 , folder 125 Pittsburgh Dance Council , 1985 Containers box 3 , folder 126 Diana Ramos , 1972 Containers box 3 , folder 127 Schenley High School , 1985 Containers box 3 , folder 128 Ruth Schoenfeld , 1969 Containers box 3 , folder 129 Ben Shaktman , 1978 Containers box 3 , folder 130 Maxine Strawder (M.O.D.E. Regional Dance Conference) , 1972 Containers box 3 , folder 131 Maxine Strawder , 1971-1985 Containers box 3 , folder 132 Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers Inc. , ca. 1970 Containers box 3 , folder 133 Dick Thornburgh , 1980 Containers box 3 , folder 134 Carl H. Tillman , 1968 Containers box 3 , folder 135 University of the West Indies , 1971 Containers box 3 , folder 136 Vantile , 1975 Containers box 3 , folder 137 Linda F. Wharton , 1978 Containers box 3 , folder 138 Pat Washington , 1979 Containers box 3 , folder 139 Lauren Webb , 1978 Containers box 3 , folder 140 David F. Wynn , 1981 Containers box 3 , folder 141 Subseries 2. Dancer , 1956-1986 Early Professional Activity , 1956-1965 Flyer, Delinquent Line Up: A New Musical Review , 1956 Containers box 3 , folder 142 Program, Afro Arts Cultural Centre Presents New York City Winter Festival of the Arts, Stanze Peterson Dance Company , 1965 Containers box 3 , folder 143 Program, Benefit performance sponsored by the Frederick Douglass House Council, Stanze Peterson Dance Company Containers box 3 , folder 144 Program, Creations , New Dancers Containers box 3 , folder 145 Katherine Dunham Company , 1965-1968 Contracts, Office de Radiodiffusion Télévision Française , 1965-1966 Containers box 3 , folder 146 Journal, Katherine Dunham Company: Paris, France , 1968 Containers box 3 , folder 147 Script, Deux Anges sont Venus , 1966 Containers box 3 , folder 148 Correspondence , 1965-1966 Containers box 3 , folder 149 Ephemera, Paris , 1965-1966 Containers box 3 , folder 150 Contract, Apollo Theatre , 1966 Containers box 3 , folder 151 Photographs, Deux Anges Sont Venus at Theatre De Paris , 1965 Containers box 11 , folder 59 Photographs, Chaka , 1965 Containers box 11 , folder 60 Photographs, Paris Studio Portraits and Negatives , 1965 Containers box 11 , folder 61 Photographs, La Vie Quotidienne , 1966 Containers box 11 , folder 62 Photographs, Unidentified Film Shoot , ca. 1967 Containers box 11 , folder 63 Photographs, Unidentified Parisian Performance and Negatives , ca. 1967 Containers box 11 , folder 64 Photographs, Outdoor Paris Portraits , ca. 1966 Containers box 11 , folder 65-66 Photographs, Outdoor Paris Candids
, ca. 1966 Containers box 11 , folder 67 Photographs, Outdoor Paris Portraits (Oversized) , 1966 Containers box 14 , folder 10 Hair 1966-1979 Audition Flyer , ca. 1966 Containers box 3 , folder 152 Contracts , 1967 Containers box 3 , folder 153 Script , 1966 Containers box 4 , folder 1 Correspondence , ca. 1967-1968 Containers box 4 , folder 2 Programs , 1968 Containers box 4 , folder 3 Press , 1967 Containers box 4 , folder 4 Photographs, Hair , 1967 Containers box 11 , folder 67 Photographs, Hair (Oversized) , ca. 1967-1968 Containers box 14 , folder 11 Hair Film Program (Oversized)1979 Containers box 14 , folder 12 Harlem Cultural Council Dancemobile , 1968-1969 Contract , 1968 Containers box 4 , folder 5 Press , 1968 Containers box 4 , folder 6 Progress Report by Carole Y. Johnson , 1969 Containers box 4 , folder 7 Flyer, Summer on Wheels Containers box 4 , folder 8 Photographs, Soloist in Eleo Pomare's Beginsville and Assassination by Rod Rogers , 1968 Containers box 11 , folder 68 Second Annual World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) , 1977-1979 Newsletters , 1977 Containers box 4 , folder 9 Memo and Reports , 1977 Containers box 4 , folder 10 Press Clippings , 1977 Containers box 4 , folder 11 Osun Festival Invitation , 1977 Containers box 4 , folder 12 Ephemera , 1977 Containers box 4 , folder 13 Correspondence , 1977 Containers box 4 , folder 14 Notes and Writings , 1977 Containers box 4 , folder 15-16 Press , 1977-1979 Containers box 4 , folder 17 Photographs, FESTAC in Nigeria and Slides , 1977 Containers box 11 , folder 69-79 Sun Ra and His Space Arkestra , ca. 1976-1980 Sun Ra Space Arkestra International Tour by Greg Mims , 1979 Containers box 4 , folder 18 Photographs, Sun Ra Tour with Negatives , ca. 1976-1980 Containers box 11 , folder 80-87 Photographs, Sun Ra Tour of Italy , 1979-1980 Containers box 11 , folder 88-89 Posters, Sun Ra (Oversized) , ca. 1979 Containers box 14 , folder 13 Assorted Dance Work , ca.1965-1986 Dunham Technique Seminar , 1985 Containers box 4 , folder 19 Erika Thimey Dance Theatre Containers box 4 , folder 20 "Phantasia" A Benefit Performance Starring Lendina Wright Containers box 4 , folder 21 The Virginia Dance Society presents the Dance Society of Washington D.C. Containers box 4 , folder 22 Vann's Founder's Day program Containers box 4 , folder 23 Urban League Sunday, Late Afternoon and Still Singing , Urban League of Pittsburgh , February 9, 1986 Containers box 4 , folder 24 Curriculum Vitae , 1973-1983 Containers box 4 , folder 25 Photographs, Elements Dance Containers box 11 , folder 90 Poster, Kuumba Na Nia Dance Theater (Oversize) , ca. 1975 Containers map-case 25-6 , oversize 1 Photographs, Miscellaneous Johnson Performing , ca.1965-1986 Containers box 11 , folder 91 Instructor , ca. 1966-1985 Flyer, Dance Class, Afram Cultural Arts Center Studio-O Brooklyn , ca. 1967 Containers box 4 , folder 26 Madu , ca. 1965-1966 Containers box 4 , folder 27 Flyer, Madu Academy III , ca. 1966-1969 Containers box 4 , folder 28 Project Self Esteem program and thank you letters , ca. 1970 Containers box 4 , folder 29 Spirited Dance Workshop, Selma Burke Art Center , ca. 1970-1980 Containers box 4 , folder 30 Spirited Dance Workshop, Selma Burke Art Center, Master Print for Flyers (Oversized) Containers box 14 , folder 14 Thank you poem, Selma Burke Art Center (Oversized) , ca.1972 Containers box 14 , folder 15 Afro American Performing Arts Workshop Containers box 4 , folder 31 Kuumba Na Nia Workshops Containers box 4 , folder 32 Roller Skating Dance Workshop , 1980 Containers box 4 , folder 33 Subseries 3. Choreographer , 1971-1985 The Black Terror 1971 Contract , 1971 Containers box 4 , folder 34 Script , 1971 Containers box 4 , folder 35 Script, Bob Johnson's Copy , 1971 Containers box 4 , folder 36 Press , 1971 Containers box 4 , folder 37 Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers , 1971 Containers box 4 , folder 38 Royalty Statements , 1971 Containers box 4 , folder 39 First National Congress on Blacks in Dance , 1973 Congress Packet , 1973 Containers box 4 , folder 40 Master Class recap , June 28, 1973 Containers box 4 , folder 41 Who's Who biography , June 28, 1973 Containers box 4 , folder 42 Photographs, First National Congress on Blacks in Dance , 1973 Containers box 12 , folder 1 How Do You Spell Watergait? 1976 Contract , 1976 Containers box 4 , folder 43 Script , 1976 Containers box 4 , folder 44 Press , 1976 Containers box 4 , folder 45 Photographs, How Do You Spell Watergait? , 1976 Containers box 12 , folder 2 Poster, How Do You Spell Watergait? (Oversized) , 1976 Containers box 14 , folder 16 Poster, How Do You Spell Watergait? (Oversized) , 1976 Containers map-case 25-6 , oversize 2 Bitches Brew , 1978 Program , 1978 Containers box 4 , folder 46 Press Release , 1978 Containers box 4 , folder 47 Press Clippings , 1978 Containers box 4 , folder 48 Photographs, Bitches Brew , 1978 Containers box 12 , folder 3-4 Black Bart and the Sacred Hills 1977-1978 Draft Synopsis Containers box 4 , folder 49 Pre-Production , 1977 Containers box 4 , folder 50 Correspondence , 1977-1978 Containers box 4 , folder 51 Correspondence, Claude Purdy , 1978 Containers box 4 , folder 52 Script , 1978 Containers box 4 , folder 53 Flyer, Auditions , 1978 Containers box 4 , folder 54 Readers Theatre Run-Through , 1978 Containers box 4 , folder 55 Correspondence, New York Shakespeare Festival , 1978 Containers box 4 , folder 56 Who Loves the Dancer? 1982 Script , 1982 Containers box 4 , folder 57 Programs , 1982 Containers box 4 , folder 58 Press , 1982 Containers box 4 , folder 59 Lysistrata 1982 Script , 1982 Containers box 4 , folder 60 Program , 1982 Containers box 4 , folder 61 Liberty Avenue 1984 Contract Containers box 4 , folder 62 Script , 1984 Containers box 4 , folder 63 Cast Listing , 1984 Containers box 4 , folder 64 Rehearsal Schedule , 1984 Containers box 4 , folder 65 Choreography Notes , 1984 Containers box 4 , folder 66 Flyers , 1984 Containers box 4 , folder 67 Program , 1984 Containers box 4 , folder 68 Press , 1984 Containers box 4 , folder 69 Give the Drummer Some 1985 Copyright Agreement , 1985 Containers box 4 , folder 70 Script , 1985 Containers box 4 , folder 71 Assorted Choreographic Work , 1971-1985 Showcase for Young Choreographers, Pittsburgh Dance Council , March 8, 1971 Containers box 4 , folder 72 YWCA Contract , March 1971 Containers box 4 , folder 73 YWCA Workshop on Dance and Drama of Minority Groups program and workbook , July 1971 Containers box 4 , folder 74 Program, Black Action Society Theatre Lucifer's Boogie , 1973 Containers box 4 , folder 75 Why, Baby Why? , Carnegie Mellon University Project Upward BoundJuly 31, 1974 Containers box 4 , folder 76 Black Expressions! March 1977 Containers box 4 , folder 77 Poster, Black Expressions! (Oversized) , March 1977 Containers box 14 , folder 17 Audition Flyer, Love Potion A Disco Dance Collage , 1978 Containers box 4 , folder 78 Program, A Touch of Fashion Extravaganza , 1979 Containers box 4 , folder 79 Celebration of Men in Dance, New York Community College program and press release , April 1980 Containers box 4 , folder 80 Script, Innerspace , 1982 Containers box 4 , folder 81 Brecht on Brecht , University of Pittsburgh TheatreFebruary 1983 Containers box 4 , folder 82 Posters, University of Pittsburgh Theatre Arts , ca. 1980 Containers map-case 25-6 , oversize 3 Contract, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. , 1984 Containers box 4 , folder 83 Program, Celebration of Men in Dance Part III Honoring Male Dancers of the 60s, Brooklyn Academy of Music, with autographs , May 5, 1985 Containers box 4 , folder 84 Program, Choreographer' Continium II , 1985 Containers box 4 , folder 85 Press Release Petals Containers box 4 , folder 86 Choreography Illustrations Containers box 4 , folder 87 Cisco Kid Costume Designs Containers box 4 , folder 88 Assorted Press , ca. 1970-1981 Containers box 4 , folder 89 Photographs, Roller Skate Dance Practice Containers box 12 , folder 5 Photographs, Ritual of Damballah Containers box 12 , folder 6 Photographs, The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh with Slides , 1979 Containers box 12 , folder 7 Subseries 4. Actor , 1973-1984 National Playwright's Conference , 1973 Conference Material , 1973 Containers box 5 , folder 1 The O'Neil Scene Seen v.5 no.91973 Containers box 5 , folder 2 Midnight 1982 Correspondence , 1982 Containers box 5 , folder 3 Poster , 1982 Containers box 5 , folder 4 Press Release , 1982 Containers box 5 , folder 5 Press Clippings , 1982 Containers box 5 , folder 6 Day of the Picnic 1984 Contract, City Theatre Company , 1984 Containers box 5 , folder 7 Rehearsal and Performance Schedule , 1984 Containers box 5 , folder 8 Script , 1984 Containers box 5 , folder 9-10 Program , 1984 Containers box 5 , folder 11 Press Clippings , 1984 Containers box 5 , folder 12 Assorted Acting Work , 1967-1985 Program, Goin' A Buffalo , 1968 Containers box 5 , folder 13 Program, Black Horizon Theatre, Centre Avenue, A Trip , May 1971 Containers box 5 , folder 14 Poster, Black Horizon Theatre, Centre Avenue, A Trip (Oversize) , 1971 Containers box 14 , oversize 18 Program, American Ibsen Theater, Long Marriages , 1985 Containers box 5 , folder 15 Photographs, Black Happenin' with Negatives , 1967 Containers box 12 , folder 8 Poster, Black Happenin' (Oversize) , 1967 Containers box 14 , oversize 19 Subseries 5. Director , 1978-1996 Jitney 1978-1996 Scope and Content Notes Johnson directed the world premiere production of August Wilson's Jitney in October and November, 1982. It was performed at the Fine Line Cultural Center in Oakland as a part of the Allegheny Repertory Theatre's 1982/1983 season. The production's cast was composed of local actors and community leaders, including Sala Udin. Photographs in this series include actors Claude Purdy as Becker, Ronald Pitts as Fielding, Milton Thompson as Turnbo, Gwendolyn Perry as Rena, Buck Price as The Man, and Monte Russell as Youngblood. There is also one folder of photographs from the 1996 production of Jitney at the Pittsburgh Public Theater.
Performance Permission from August Wilson , March 4, 1978 Containers box 5 , folder 16 Correspondence, August Wilson , ca. 1978-1982 Containers box 5 , folder 17 Contracts , 1983-1984 Containers box 5 , folder 18 Cast and Crew , 1984 Containers box 5 , folder 19 Director's Notes , 1982 Containers box 5 , folder 20 Finances , 1984 Containers box 5 , folder 21 Artwork , 1984 Containers box 5 , folder 22 Set Design , July 1983 Containers box 5 , folder 23 Posters and Flyers , 1982-1983 Containers box 5 , folder 24 Performance poster (Oversize) , 1983 Containers map-case 25-6 , oversize 2 Booster/Becker Scene Rewrite , October 1982 Containers box 5 , folder 25 Annotated Scripts , 1982-1983 Containers box 5 , folder 26-30 Programs , 1982 Containers box 5 , folder 31 Press Clippings , 1982 Containers box 5 , folder 32 Photographs, Jitney and Slides , 1982-1983 Containers box 12 , folder 9-15 Photographs, Jitney Pittsburgh Public Theater Production , 1996 Containers box 12 , folder 16 Nongogo 1985 Script , 1985 Containers box 5 , folder 33 Program , 1985 Containers box 5 , folder 34 Stage Notes , 1985 Containers box 5 , folder 35 Promotional Material , 1985 Containers box 5 , folder 36 Assorted Directing and Production Works , 1971-1984 El Hajj Malik 1971 Containers box 5 , folder 37-38 Script, Selma Burke Art Center's The Wiz Containers box 5 , folder 39 Hues of Langston 1976 Containers box 5 , folder 40 Choices II 1984 Containers box 5 , folder 41-42 Program, Little Black Boys Containers box 5 , folder 43 Brief Portfolio Poetry CollageContainers box 5 , folder 44 Poster, Brief Portfolio Poetry Collage (Oversized) , March 1980 Containers box 14 , folder 20 Community Communication Conference on Local Cable Directing and Producing , ca. 1983 Containers box 5 , folder 45 Grant, Blacks in Pittsburgh: A Chronology , 1984 Containers box 5 , folder 46 Subseries 6. Writer , 1971-1985 Poetry , 1971-1985 African Footprints , 1981-1985 Containers box 5 , folder 47 Audition Containers box 5 , folder 48 First Entrance (Prayer) Containers box 5 , folder 49 For the First Time: Liberation Dance Containers box 5 , folder 50 Freedom |Unity Dance No. 1 , 1974 Containers box 5 , folder 51 Gypsy Lady Containers box 5 , folder 52 Hang Tough Containers box 5 , folder 53 A Message to Black Feet Containers box 5 , folder 54 Murder #1 Containers box 5 , folder 55 New Dance|Caberet|Dance Discipline No. 9 Containers box 5 , folder 56 Original Dance Machine Containers box 5 , folder 57 Dance Machine, Pittsburgh Courier Poetry Contest (Oversize) , 1979 Containers map-case 25-6 , oversize 2 Peek A Boo , 1981 Containers box 5 , folder 58 Rapture Dance , 1981 Containers box 5 , folder 59 Theme for Babara From Prison Ritual 1972 For Thomas Hicks and Attica 1971 , 1971 Containers box 5 , folder 60 Untitled Containers box 5 , folder 61 Untitled , April 30, 1971 Containers box 5 , folder 62 Plays and Skits , ca. 1971-1986 The Adventures of the Astral Pirates (A Musical Space Comedy) : A Theatrical Stage Treatment by Bob JohnsonContainers box 5 , folder 63 The Legend of Marimba Containers box 5 , folder 64 The Loose Booty Sisters Containers box 5 , folder 65 Love on Wheels Containers box 5 , folder 66 Plunk's Theme Containers box 5 , folder 67 Several Shades of Mama Containers box 5 , folder 68 Essays , ca. 1971-1986 A Choreographer's Comment Containers box 5 , folder 69 Where We Stand Now Containers box 5 , folder 70 Untitled (The Function of Black Dance Instruction) Containers box 5 , folder 71 Series V. Pittsburgh Black Theatre Dance Ensemble and Theatre Urge , 1970-1985 Scope and Content Notes The Pittsburgh Black Theatre Dance series has manuscript, photographic, and audiovisual items pertaining to the history of the arts company founded by Bob Johnson in 1970. The company's goal was to explore and uplift the people of the Black Diaspora through the performing arts. Johnson served as artistic director of the company for many years with the core leadership team and faculty that included, Linda F. Wharton, who later went on to become artistic director of the company, Oliver Byrd, Linda Herring, Sherry Hoard, Bill Johnson, Maliki Roberts and Malaya Rucker. The series provides general information on the company as a whole as well as its subsidiary group the Afro American Dance Center and acting arm Theatre Urge. Specific materials include company by-laws and board meeting minutes, correspondence, ephemera, press, photographs and audiovisual material.
Subseries 1. History and Administration , 1972-1982 History , ca. 1970-1979 Containers box 5 , folder 72 Statement of Purpose Containers box 5 , folder 73 By-Laws , ca. 1972 Containers box 5 , folder 74 Constitution Containers box 5 , folder 75 Membership Card Containers box 5 , folder 76 Articles of Incorporation , 1972 Containers box 5 , folder 77 Tax Exemption , January 1972 Containers box 5 , folder 78 Copyright Registration , 1973 Containers box 5 , folder 79 Job Descriptions Containers box 5 , folder 80 Artist Biographies Containers box 5 , folder 81 Board of Directors , 1972-1975 Containers box 5 , folder 82-85 Staff, Linda F. Wharton , 1974-1979 Containers box 5 , folder 86 Board of Directors , 1976 Containers box 5 , folder 87 Theatre Urge: Report to the Executive Council , January 28, 1976 Containers box 5 , folder 88 Planning Proposals , 1977 Containers box 5 , folder 89 Board of Directors , 1978-1979 Containers box 5 , folder 90-91 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes , 1981 Containers box 5 , folder 92 Board of Directors , 1982 Containers box 5 , folder 93 Internship report, Byram Johns , 1981-1984 Containers box 5 , folder 94 Subseries 2. Finances , 1971-1982 Ledger/Journal , 1971-1982 Containers box 5 , folder 95 Equipment Proposal Containers box 5 , folder 96 Performance Fees Containers box 5 , folder 97 Funding Sources Containers box 5 , folder 98 A Financial Look at the Pittsburgh Black Theatre Dance Ensemble , 1974 Containers box 5 , folder 99 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Grant , 1974 Containers box 5 , folder 100 Financial Report , 1975 Containers box 5 , folder 101 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Grant Correspondence , September 20, 1976 Containers box 5 , folder 102 Bicentennial Grant and Proposal , 1976 Containers box 5 , folder 103-104 Oliver Byrd Financial Management Contract and Report , 1976 Containers box 6 , folder 1 Annual Report , 1976 Containers box 6 , folder 2 Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Grants , 1976-1977 Containers box 6 , folder 3 PACE Grant Applications , 1977 Containers box 6 , folder 4 Sears Roebuck Company Fall Festival Proposal , 1977 Containers box 6 , folder 5 Assorted Grant Applications , 1977 Containers box 6 , folder 6 Budget and Planning , 1978 Containers box 6 , folder 7 Howard Heinz Endowment , 1977-1979 Containers box 6 , folder 8 Theatre Urge Schedule and Budget , 1975-1977 Containers box 6 , folder 9 Correspondence, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts , 1980 Containers box 6 , folder 10 Projected Costs , 1981 Containers box 6 , folder 11 Subseries 3. Dance Ensemble , 1971-1985 Early Letterhead Containers box 6 , folder 12 Brochure Draft Containers box 6 , folder 13 Company Correspondence , 1974-1975 Containers box 6 , folder 14 External Correspondence , 1971-1985 Containers box 6 , folder 15 Anonymous Letter from Company Member "H-6" Containers box 6 , folder 16 Highlights of Spring Dance Concert "Free Spirit Song" by Robert LaPrince Containers box 6 , folder 17 Damballah - The Ancient Vodu Containers box 6 , folder 18 Johnson Choreographic Notes: Umbrella Dance Series , 1982 Containers box 6 , folder 19 Performance posters (Oversize) , ca. 1975-1985 Containers box 14 , oversize 21 Performance posters (Oversize) , ca. 1975-1980 Containers map-case 25-6 , oversize 2 Roots 77 Ballet Costume Designs Containers box 6 , folder 20 Bicentennial Celebration , 1974-1976 Containers box 6 , folder 21-23 Notes and Essays , 1971 Containers box 6 , folder 24 Community Service Television Project Containers box 6 , folder 25 Report on Contemporary Dance in Pittsburgh , 1977 Containers box 6 , folder 26 Production Material, Isis and Osiris Containers box 6 , folder 27 Production Material, Natalie Sweet Containers box 6 , folder 28 Contract Template Containers box 6 , folder 29 Contracts , 1972-1977 Containers box 6 , folder 30-31 Performance and Rehearsal Schedules , 1974-1981 Containers box 6 , folder 32 Company Brochures and Flyers , ca. 1971-1979 Containers box 6 , folder 33 Performance Programs 'A-F' , 1973-1981 Containers box 6 , folder 34 Performance Programs 'H-S' , 1970-1981 Containers box 6 , folder 35 Performance Programs 'T-Y' , 1970-1980 Containers box 6 , folder 36 Press Releases , ca. 1974-1980 Containers box 6 , folder 37 Press Clippings Containers box 6 , folder 38 Press Clippings , 1970-1982 Containers box 6 , folder 39 Souvenir Programs , ca. 1975 Containers box 6 , folder 40 Subseries 4. Afro American Dance Center , 1973-1980 Notes on the Afro American Dance Center Containers box 6 , folder 41 About the New Center , 1973 Containers box 6 , folder 42 Rules and Procedures Containers box 6 , folder 43 Annual Report , 1974 Containers box 6 , folder 44 Certification of Completion Containers box 6 , folder 45 Otis Sallid Residency , 1977 Containers box 6 , folder 46 Registration Flyers , 1974-1976 Containers box 6 , folder 47 Seasonal Flyers and Programs , ca, 1974-1980 Containers box 6 , folder 48 Press Clippings , 1980 Containers box 6 , folder 49 Subseries 5. Theatre Urge , 1971-1985 Mission and Statement of Purpose Containers box 6 , folder 50 Correspondence , 1971-1985 Containers box 6 , folder 51 Finances , 1976-1977 Containers box 6 , folder 52 Proposal, Student Total Black Theatre Workshop Containers box 6 , folder 53 Schedule , 1976-1977 Containers box 6 , folder 54 Theatre Urge Reflections Containers box 6 , folder 55 American Fruit with African Roots 1976 Containers box 6 , folder 56 Production Material, Black Butter , 1976 Containers box 6 , folder 57 Production Material, Black Happenin' Containers box 6 , folder 58 Production Material, Chocolate Puddin' Proposal , 1981 Containers box 6 , folder 59 Production Material, Chocolate Puddin' Script , 1981 Containers box 6 , folder 60 Production Material, Chocolate Puddin' Fundraising Letter , 1980-1981 Containers box 6 , folder 61 Production Material, Chocolate Puddin' Correspondence , 1980-1982 Containers box 6 , folder 62 Production Material, Chocolate Puddin' Newsletter , 1982 Containers box 6 , folder 63 Production Material, Chocolate Puddin' Announcements , 1981 Containers box 6 , folder 64 Production Material, Chocolate Puddin' Schedule , 1982 Containers box 6 , folder 65 Production Material, Chocolate Puddin' Children Thank You Notes , 1980-1982 Containers box 6 , folder 66-68 Production Material, Chocolate Puddin' Logo , ca. 1981 Containers box 6 , folder 69 Production Material, Chocolate Puddin' Press , ca. 1980 Containers box 6 , folder 70 Production Material, The Fabulous Miss Marie Containers box 6 , folder 71 Production Material, Hello Out There | Baltimore | The Owl Killer , 1976 Containers box 6 , folder 72 Production Material, Hues of Langston , 1976 Containers box 6 , folder 73 Production Rights, Ladies in Waiting , 1981 Containers box 6 , folder 74 Script, Black Women Speak on Womenhood Containers box 6 , folder 75 Production Material, Can You Laff Martha Containers box 6 , folder 76 Script, Cause it's the Way We Feel Script by Parris J. Baker Containers box 6 , folder 77 Script, Ceremonies in Dark Old Men by Lonne Elder Containers box 6 , folder 78 Script, Cinder Box by L.M. Sullivan , 1970 Containers box 6 , folder 79 Script, The Eden Roc Containers box 6 , folder 80 Script, Harlem Dreams Containers box 6 , folder 81 Script, How Long has Niggahs Been Talking Shit??? or Are You Out of Your Cotton Pickin' Mind? by Derek Brooks and Gary Evans Containers box 6 , folder 82 Production Material, Judy's Monologue Containers box 6 , folder 83 Script, Junkes are Forever by Aubrey Bruce Containers box 6 , folder 84 The Legend of Marimba Containers box 7 , folder 1 Script, Little Black Boys Containers box 7 , folder 2 Script, Malcolm's Speech Containers box 7 , folder 3 Script, Tears: The Living Children Containers box 7 , folder 4 TV Script, Tomorrow's Promise Containers box 7 , folder 5-6 Script, Uptown Backstreet Containers box 7 , folder 7 Script, Woman in the Foxhole Containers box 7 , folder 8 Script, Zenobia: Queen of the East Containers box 7 , folder 9 Scripts, Untitled Scenes Containers box 7 , folder 10 Performance Programs, 1975-1976 Containers box 7 , folder 11 Performance posters (Oversize) , ca. 1975-1976 Containers box 14 , oversize 22 Performance posters (Oversize) , ca. 1975-1976 Containers map-case 25-6 , oversize 2 Press, Theatre Urge , ca. 1978-1981 Containers box 7 , folder 12 Subseries 6. Photographs , 1970-1985 Pittsburgh Black Theatre Dance Ensemble , 1970-1985 Ritual of Damballah Solo at the 14th Annual Pittsburgh Folk Festival1970 Containers box 12 , folder 17 Dance Rehearsal Candids and Negatives , ca. 1970s Containers box 12 , folder 18-27 Performance Candids, Negatives and Slides , ca. 1970s Containers box 12 , folder 28-36 Politician Dance Performed at the Homeward Black Art Festival , 1972 Containers box 12 , folder 37 Outdoor Event and Performance , August 1972 Containers box 12 , folder 38-39 Traditional Medication Performance , ca. 1975 Containers box 12 , folder 40 Traditional Medication, Do it Anyway You Want, and I Shall Be Released Slides , ca. 1975 Containers box 12 , folder 41 Ritual of Damballah ca. 1975 Containers box 12 , folder 42 Congregation Motion Shot and Choreography Notes , ca. 1975 Containers box 12 , folder 43 Performance photos, Many People Many Traditions calendar (Oversize) , 1977 Containers box 14 , folder 25 Performance Candids and Slides , November 1977 Containers box 12 , folder 44 Three Rivers Art Festival with John Parks , 1978 Containers box 12 , folder 45 Performance Slides , June 1979 Containers box 12 , folder 46 Ritual of Damballah Photographs (Oversized)ca. 1970-1985 Containers box 14 , folder 23 Photographs (Oversized) , ca. 1975 Containers box 14 , folder 24 Afro American Dance Center , 1974 Rehearsal Snapshot , ca. 1974 Containers box 12 , folder 47 Exposure I , ca. 1974 Containers box 12 , folder 48 Exposure II , ca. 1974 Containers box 12 , folder 49 Alvin Ailey Masterclass Slides , September 1974 Containers box 12 , folder 50 Performances , ca. 1979 Containers box 12 , folder 51 Theatre Urge , ca. 1970s Unidentified Photoshoot and Bob Johnson TV Appearance Slides , 1972 Containers box 12 , folder 52 Black Happenin' Production Photographs, Negatives, and Slidesca. 1975 Containers box 12 , folder 53-59 Ceremonies in Dark Old Men , ca. 1975 Containers box 12 , folder 60 Hues of Langston Candids1976 Containers box 12 , folder 61 American Fruit with African Roots Candids, Negatives, and Slides , ca. 1976-1978 Containers box 12 , folder 62-65 Miscellaneous Photographs and Negatives , ca. 1970s Containers box 12 , folder 66-70 Series VI. Teaching at the University of Pittsburgh , 1969-1986 Scope and Content Notes Items in this series relate to Mr. Johnson's 16-year tenure as in instructor in the University of Pittsburgh's Department of Africana Studies, known then as Black Studies. Materials include correspondence, departmental items, and teaching related content like course descriptions and syllabi, readings, and a small sample of student work. This material helps offer insight into Johnson's teaching methods.
Subseries 1. Correspondence , 1969-1986 Germaine Acogny , 1983 Containers box 7 , folder 13 Jeanne Beaman , 1972 Containers box 7 , folder 14 Carl Beck , 1977 Containers box 7 , folder 15 Lloyd H. Bell , 1982 Containers box 7 , folder 16 Roger Benjamin , 1984 Containers box 7 , folder 17 Black Action Society , ca. 1970s Containers box 7 , folder 18 Michael Boyd Containers box 7 , folder 19 Dennis Brutus , 1985-1986 Containers box 7 , folder 20 Delores M. Cureton,Lemington Home for the Aged , 1979 Containers box 7 , folder 21 Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh , 1983 Containers box 7 , folder 22 Christian Associates , 1974 Containers box 7 , folder 23 Jack Daniel , 1971-1977 Containers box 7 , folder 24 Eugene Davis , 1969 Containers box 7 , folder 25 Michael Edwards , 1977 Containers box 7 , folder 26 Kathleen George , 1985 Containers box 7 , folder 27 Pam Hamlin , 1985 Containers box 7 , folder 28 Bruce Haselring , 1973 Containers box 7 , folder 29 K. Leroy Irvis , 1971 Containers box 7 , folder 30 Vernell Lillie , 1981-1985 Containers box 7 , folder 31 Maliki El Muhajir , 1972 Containers box 7 , folder 32 Bayo Oduneye , 1977 Containers box 7 , folder 33 Rob Penny , 1978-1985 Containers box 7 , folder 34 Jane B. Robinson , 1975 Containers box 7 , folder 35 Jerome Rosenberg , 1977-1981 Containers box 7 , folder 36 Ronald Rothaus , 1974 Containers box 7 , folder 37 Barbara Sizemore , 1985-1986 Containers box 7 , folder 38 Rhoten Smith , 1978-1981 Containers box 7 , folder 39 Maxine Strawder , 1983 Containers box 7 , folder 40 Randy Strothman , 1978 Containers box 7 , folder 41 Upward Bound , 1975 Containers box 7 , folder 42 Urban League , 1980 Containers box 7 , folder 43 Robert Vee Van Parent Teacher Association , 1970 Containers box 7 , folder 44 Chineta White Containers box 7 , folder 45 Subseries 2. Administrative , 1970-1986 Black Studies Curriculum Development Containers box 7 , folder 46 Proposal for Black Theatre Dance Workshop Containers box 7 , folder 47 First General Meeting of the Studio Theatre Poster (Oversized) Containers box 14 , folder 26 Proposal for Summer Student Theatre Workshop , 1970 Containers box 7 , folder 48 Poster, Black Studies Department (Oversize) , ca. 1970 Containers map-case 25-6 , oversize 3 Brazil Project , 1974 Containers box 7 , folder 49 West African Dance Research , 1977 Containers box 7 , folder 50 Draft, Research Grant for Afro-American Dance Manual Containers box 7 , folder 51 Caribbean Dance Project , 1974 Containers box 7 , folder 52 Teaching Afro-American Dance: A Multicultural Model , 1978 Containers box 7 , folder 53 A Proposal for Facilitating The System-Wide Enrollment Magent School Plan for Desegregating the Pittsburgh Public Schools , 1978 Containers box 7 , folder 54 Black Studies Department Cassette and Album Collection , 1979 Containers box 7 , folder 55 India Trip , 1979 Containers box 7 , folder 56 Pittsburgh Public School Dance Curriculum , 1979 Containers box 7 , folder 57 African Heritage Studies Association Conference , 1979 Containers box 7 , folder 58 Posters, Black Action Society Events (Oversize) , ca. 1980 Containers map-case 25-6 , oversize 4 Committee Report on Studio Theatre , 1984 Containers box 7 , folder 59 Sugar Cane Alley Project , 1985 Containers box 7 , folder 60 Submission of Course Info to CAS Committee on General Education in Humanities , 1983 Containers box 7 , folder 61 Talking Jazz Write-Up Draft , 1986 Containers box 7 , folder 62 Talking Jazz Proposal and Press , 1986 Containers box 7 , folder 63 Total Theatre: An Alternative to the Complexities of Urban Mis-Understanding, A Proposal Submitted to the Model Cities Cultural and Recreation Program Containers box 7 , folder 64 Black Horizon House of Kuumba: The Issue and The Solution , ca. 1971 Containers box 7 , folder 65 Kuntu Repertory Theatre, Production Materials, Do Lord Remember Me , 1984 Containers box 7 , folder 66 Kuntu Repertory Theatre, First draft reading script, Little Willie Armstrong Jones Containers box 7 , folder 67 Kuntu Repertory Theatre, Programs and other materials , 1975-1985 Containers box 7 , folder 68 Kuntu Repertory Theatre, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom program signed by August Wilson , 1987 Containers box 7 , folder 69 Kuntu Repertory Theatre, Script, Just Rob Penny: Black Tones of Truth Containers box 7 , folder 70 Kuntu Repertory Theatre performance posters (Oversize) , 1984-1985 Containers box 14 , folder 27 Kuntu Writers Workshop , 1976-1985 Containers box 7 , folder 71 Black Student Handbook Containers box 7 , folder 72 Black Dance Lecture/Performance Report Form , 1976 Containers box 7 , folder 73 Evaluation of Roller Skating Dance Workshop , 1980 Containers box 7 , folder 74 Teaching Proposals Containers box 7 , folder 75 Dr. Vernell Lille- Adaption of A Dream Deferred , 1979 Containers box 7 , folder 76 Black American Poetry Reading at the Wilkinsburg Public Library , February 25, 1984 Containers box 7 , folder 77 Speech Communication Association Conference presentation on Black Dance , December 1976 Containers box 7 , folder 78 Subseries 3. Classes , 1972-1985 Readings , 1972-1985 Black Dance in America: The Deep Root and Strong Branch Containers box 8 , folder 1 Course Readings Containers box 8 , folder 2 Excerpts, Jazz Dance: The Story of American Vernacular Dance by Marshall Stearns Containers box 8 , folder 3 Blues for Blacks in Hollywood by Cecil Brown , 1981 Containers box 8 , folder 4 Excerpt, God Wills the Negro; An Anthropological and Geographical Restoration of the Lost History of the American Negro People Containers box 8 , folder 5 Kwanza- The First Fruits: An African Holiday by The Congress of African People , 1972 Containers box 8 , folder 6 Reading on Acting Technique Containers box 8 , folder 7 Reading on Astrology Containers box 8 , folder 8 Folk Music Research in Jamaica by Olive Lewin , 1984 Containers box 8 , folder 9 The Acting and The Actors Containers box 8 , folder 10 Excerpt, Scriptwriting for the Audio-Visual Media by Robert Edmonds , 1978 Containers box 8 , folder 11 Excerpt, Dance and Movement Readings , 1985 Containers box 8 , folder 12 Melvin Van Peebles Lyrics Containers box 8 , folder 13 Essence Magazine Article, Broadway's New Breed1978 Containers box 8 , folder 14 Jet Magazine Article, Is there a Future for Black Talent in the Theatre?1979 Containers box 8 , folder 15 Course Descriptions, Syllabi, and Assignments , 1972-1985 Development and Overview of Kuumba Theatre Workshop Containers box 8 , folder 16 Creativity Workshop Description with notes from Rob Penny Containers box 8 , folder 17 Kuumba Performance Flyer , 1974 Containers box 8 , folder 18 Kuumba Bicentennial Project , 1976 Containers box 8 , folder 19 Kuumba Ugly Contest Poster , 1977 Containers box 8 , folder 20 Kuumba Theatre Workshop C-H-A-N-G-E Assignment , 1979 Containers box 8 , folder 21 Kuumba Theatre Workshop Class Development Notes , 1979 Containers box 8 , folder 22 Kuumba Theatre Workshop: A Vintage Wine Quiz and Answers , 1979 Containers box 8 , folder 23 Kuumba Theatre Workshop Syllabi , 1980 Containers box 8 , folder 24 Kuumba Theatre Workshop Assignments and Exams , 1981 Containers box 8 , folder 25 Chocolate Puddin' Poster and SketchContainers box 8 , folder 26 Kuumba Theatre Workshop Syllabus , 1984 Containers box 8 , folder 27 Kuumba Theatre Workshop/Creativity Workshop Final Project , 1985 Containers box 8 , folder 28 Kuumba Theatre Workshop, Script: 'A Love Rap in Funkytown' Containers box 8 , folder 29 Kuumba Theatre Workshop, Why Black Studies Dialogue Containers box 8 , folder 30 Kuumba Theatre Workshop, Pittsburghers Against Apartheid Containers box 8 , folder 31 Kuumba Theatre Workshop, American Fruit with African Roots Containers box 8 , folder 32 Afro American Dance Expression Course Lectures Containers box 8 , folder 33 Afro American Dance Expression Course Proposal Containers box 8 , folder 34 Revolutionary Theatre Workshop Containers box 8 , folder 35 Afro American Dance Expression Syllabi , 1972-1980 Containers box 8 , folder 36 Afro American Dance Expression Video Tapes , 1972-1973 Containers box 8 , folder 37 Afro American Dance Expression: Black Light Explosion , 1978 Containers box 8 , folder 38 Afro American Dance Expression Final Exam Programs , 1979-1983 Containers box 8 , folder 39 Afro American Dance Final Information Form , 1984 Containers box 8 , folder 40 Syllabus, Movement for Actors Containers box 8 , folder 41 Student Work , 1973-1985 Access Restrictions In compliance with FERPA regulations, the material in this series is restricted. To access material in this section, the researcher must agree to sign a confidentiality agreement provided by Special Collections.
Kuumba Theatre/Creativity Workshop , 1973-1975 Containers box 8 , folder 42-47 Kuumba Theatre/Creativity Workshop , 1977-1980 Containers box 8 , folder 48-57 Kuumba Theatre/Creativity Workshop , 1982-1986 Containers box 8 , folder 58-68 Kuumba Theatre/Creativity Workshop Containers box 8 , folder 69-73 Afro American Dance Expression , 1973-1982 Containers box 8 , folder 74-82 Subseries 4. Photographs , 1971-1985 "Save Me" Beltzhoover Dance Group University of Pittsburgh Project Self-Esteem , 1971 Containers box 12 , folder 71 Dance Expression Class Candids and Negatives , ca. 1971-1985 Containers box 12 , folder 72-79 Creativity Workshop Candids and Slides , 1974 Containers box 12 , folder 80 Leisure Learn Program , ca. 1975 Containers box 12 , folder 81 Black Studies Department Candids and Slides , 1979 Containers box 12 , folder 82 Michelle Wallace Lecture Slides , November 1979 Containers box 12 , folder 83 BCOHE , 1981 Containers box 12 , folder 84 Chocolate Puddin' Photographs and Slides1981 Containers box 12 , folder 85-86 Talking Jazz Candids and Negatives , 1985 Containers box 12 , folder 87 Rob Penny , ca. 1985 Containers box 12 , folder 88 Series VII. Black Arts Movement Performing Arts Scripts and Ephemera , 1966-1990 Scope and Content Notes The material in this series contains theatre scripts, performing arts newsletters, and dance company ephemera of artists and performers of the Black Arts Movement. These artists and performers were from both Pittsburgh and elsewhere in the United States. The series has scripts from Amiri Baraka such as A Black Mass and Columbia Gem of the Ocean , Rob Penny's, Centre Avenue: A Trip and Dance of the Blues Dead , several plays by William F. Mayfield, and August Wilson's The Coldest Day of the Year . There are also a number of scripts by local playwrights such as William F. Mayfield's Black Sci- Fi Saga. The series also contains newsletters from The Black Theatre Alliance and Dance Herald, and The Feet, as well as ephemera from the Chuck Davis, Author Hall, and Eleo Pomare dance companies among others.
Subseries 1. Scripts , 1966-1990 Scope and Content Notes This subseries of scripts is arranged alphabetically by the author's last name.
Al Grover Armstrong, The Essence of Suicide Containers box 9 , folder 1 Lamont Arnold and Patrick Roche, Trumpets of Gabriel Containers box 9 , folder 2 Amiri Baraka, A Black Mass , ca. 1966 Containers box 9 , folder 3 Amiri Baraka, Columbia The Gem of the Ocean Containers box 9 , folder 4 Lorenzo Lo Boone and Greg Quick Evans, Glitter/Lucifer's Trap , ca. 1974 Containers box 9 , folder 5 Gary Bradford, Give the Drummer Some , 1984 Containers box 9 , folder 6 Gary Bradford, The Inverted Pyramid Containers box 9 , folder 7 Gary Bradford, King Solomon Minds , 1984 Containers box 9 , folder 8 William F. Brown and Charlie Smalls, The Wiz , 1974 Containers box 9 , folder 9 Gary C. Evans, Confusion Containers box 9 , folder 10 Alex Foster, Community Kitchen Containers box 9 , folder 11 GEO, Ravings Containers box 9 , folder 12 Bill Harris, Stories About the Old Days , 1984 Containers box 9 , folder 13 Susan Marcus, Linda Marcus, and Ken Wishnia, Sometimes I Feel Like Raggady Anne , 1982 Containers box 9 , folder 14 William F. Mayfield, Catfish Murder: An Adult Fantasy , 1981 Containers box 9 , folder 15 William F. Mayfield, Black Theatre Entrepreneur William F. Mayfield, Little Black Boys , 1984 Containers box 9 , folder 17 William F. Mayfield, Little Black Boys with annotations , 1984 Containers box 9 , folder 18 William F. Mayfield, Little Black Boys with audio cassette , 1985 Containers box 9 , folder 19 William F. Mayfield, Morphis , 1982 Containers box 9 , folder 20 William F. Mayfield, Playwriting for Black Theatre , 1985 Containers box 9 , folder 21 William F. Mayfield, Queen Bee , 1980 Containers box 9 , folder 22 William F. Mayfield, Osiris , 1985 Containers box 9 , folder 23 William F. Mayfield, Spirits of Water , 1979 Containers box 9 , folder 24 William F. Mayfield, Sing Black Hammer , 1990 Containers box 9 , folder 25 William F. Mayfield, A Vintage Wine , 1979 Containers box 9 , folder 26 William F. Mayfield, WIlli T: A Janitor in the Andromeda Galaxy Spawns a New Civilization , 1979 Containers box 9 , folder 27 Paulette Pennington-Jones, State of Grace Segment Containers box 9 , folder 28 Rob Penny, Centre Avenue, A Trip Containers box 9 , folder 29 Rob Penny, Coon Cane Containers box 9 , folder 30 Rob Penny, Dance of the Blues Dead Containers box 9 , folder 31 Rob Penny, Diane's Heart Dries Out Still More Containers box 9 , folder 32 Rob Penny, Liferise Containers box 10 , folder 1 Rob Penny, Little Willie Armstrong Jones Containers box 10 , folder 2 Rob Penny, Sugar and Thomas Containers box 10 , folder 3 Rob Penny, Up to Life Containers box 10 , folder 4 Curtiss Porter, Rappingstone Containers box 10 , folder 5 James T. Stewart, Five Plays for Children Containers box 10 , folder 6 S. McLain Thomas and Michael D. Lies, A Man Called Christ , 1973 Containers box 10 , folder 7 LaVerne Tribble, The Plantation Containers box 10 , folder 8 Paul Weinman, The Bite Containers box 10 , folder 9 August Wilson, The Coldest Day of the Year Containers box 10 , folder 10 August Wilson, The Homecoming Containers box 10 , folder 11 Unknown Author, Noir Saga Containers box 10 , folder 12 Unknown Author, Untitled Containers box 10 , folder 13 Subseries 2. Newsletters , 1971-1986 Black Masks , A Theatre Arts Publication1986 Containers box 10 , folder 14 The Black Scholar v.10 no. 101979 Containers box 10 , folder 15 Black Stage Magazine 1974 Containers box 10 , folder 16 Black Theatre ca. 1968-1970 Containers box 10 , folder 17 The Black Theatre Alliance Touring Brochure Containers box 10 , folder 18 Black Theatre Alliance Newsletter 1977-1979 Containers box 10 , folder 19-21 Dance Herald: A Journal of Black Dance 1975-1979 Containers box 10 , folder 22 The Feet 1971-1973 Containers box 10 , folder 23 Photo Newsletter: James Van Derzee Institute , 1972 Containers box 10 , folder 24 Dance Newsletters and clippings , ca. 1969-1982 Containers box 10 , folder 25 Subseries 3. Company Ephemera , 1966-1983 Poster, The 127th Street Repertory Ensemble (Oversized) , ca. 1980 Containers map-case 25-6 , oversize 1 Poster, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (Oversized) , ca. 1969 Containers map-case 25-6 , oversize 1 Arthur Hall's Afro American Dance Ensemble , ca.1974-1975 Containers box 10 , folder 26 Poster, Arthur Hall's Afro American Dance Ensemble (Oversize) , ca. 1974 Containers map-case 25-6 , oversize 1 Poster, Black Dance Institute of San Francisco Inc. , 1975 Containers map-case 25-6 , oversize 1 Poster, Black Horizon Theatre (Oversize) , ca. 1971 Containers map-case 25-6 , oversize 3 Scope and Contents This poster is advertising performances of Death of Malcolm X by Imamu Baraka and Mojo by Alice Childress at the Selma Burke Art Center.
Choreo-Mutation
Chuck Davis Dance Company , 1971-1975 Containers box 10 , folder 27 Clyde Morgan , 1976-1978 Containers box 10 , folder 28 Dance Black America , 1983 Containers box 10 , folder 29 Poster, A Dance Dedication to the Late Thelma Hill (Oversize) , 1979 Containers box 14 , folder 28 Poster, Dance Extravaganza at Veterans' Auditorium (Oversize) , 1975 Containers box 14 , folder 29 Darlene Blackburn Dance Troupe Containers box 10 , folder 30 Dayton Contemporary Dance Company , 1972-1973 Containers box 10 , folder 31 Detroit Co-Op. Dance Company Containers box 10 , folder 32 Dimensions Dance Theater Containers box 10 , folder 33 Eleo Pomare Dance Company , ca. 1959-1971 Containers box 10 , folder 34 Poster, Eleo Pomare (Oversized) , 1974 Containers map-case 25-6 , oversize 1 Poster, The Fred Benjamin Dance Company (Oversized) , 1974 Containers map-case 25-6 , oversize 1 George Faison Universal Dance Experience , 1974 Containers box 10 , folder 35 Glen Brooks Third World Movements Containers box 10 , folder 36 Glen Brooks Third World Movements Poster (Oversized) Containers box 14 , folder 30 Jamaica National Dance Theatre Company , 1969-1970 Containers box 10 , folder 37 Poster, Karamu Performing Arts Theatre (Oversize) , 1995 Containers map-case 25-6 , oversize 1 Poster, Keith Jarrett (Oversize) , ca. 1975 Containers box 14 , folder 31 Poster, Langston Hughes House of Kuumba (Oversized) , ca. 1971 Containers map-case 25-6 , oversize 1 Poster, National Council for Culture and Art, Inc. (Oversized) , 1986 Containers map-case 25-6 , oversize 1 Posters, Negro Ensemble Company (Oversized) , 1969-1970 Containers map-case 25-6 , oversize 3 Poster, New Art Ensemble (Oversize) , ca. 1970 Containers map-case 25-6 , oversize 3 Poster, Nutcracker (Oversize) , ca. 1975 Containers box 14 , folder 32 Poster, Ode to Ethiopia, multi-media workshops (Oversize) , 1981 Containers box 14 , folder 33 Otis Sallid's New Art Ensemble Containers box 10 , folder 38 Poster, Phoenix Dance Company (Oversize) , 1991 Containers map-case 25-6 , oversize 3 Poster, Saastras (Oversize) , 1974 Containers box 14 , folder 34 Raymond Sawyer Dance Company , 1966 Containers box 10 , folder 39 Posters, Raymond Sawyer Afro-American Dance Experience (Oversize) , ca. 1973 Containers box 14 , folder 35 Sounds in Motion Containers box 10 , folder 40 Poster, The Stanze Peterson Dance Theatre, Inc. (Oversize) , 1973 Containers map-case 25-6 , oversize 1 Poster, Uhuru In Art Outdoor Exhibition (Oversize) , ca. 1972 Containers box 14 , folder 36 Subseries 4. Programs , 1966-1987 Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death , Ethel Barrymore TheatreOctober 1971 Containers box 10 , folder 41 Alvin Ailey , 1974-1976 Containers box 10 , folder 42 Arthur Hall Presents Orpheus , Shubert Theatre , 1973 Containers box 10 , folder 43 Balm in Gilead , Circle Repertory CompanyJune 1972 Containers box 10 , folder 44 Les Ballets Africains, Ethel Barrymore Theatre , November 1966 Containers box 10 , folder 45 A Ballet Behind the Bridge , Negro Ensemble Company1972 Containers box 10 , folder 46 Black Expo , New York City CenterApril 1969 Containers box 10 , folder 47 Blues for the Gospel Queen , Billy Holiday Theatreca. 1977 Containers box 10 , folder 48 Blues in the Night , Rialto TheatreJuly 1982 Containers box 10 , folder 49 The Blood Knot , Pittsburgh Public Theater1978 Containers box 10 , folder 50 Bubbling Brown Sugar , Heinz Hall1977 Containers box 10 , folder 51 The Colored Museum , New York Shakespeare Festival Public TheaterJune 1987 Containers box 10 , folder 52 The Dream on Monkey Mountain , St. Marks PlayhouseContainers box 10 , folder 53 Do Lord Remember Me , American Palace Theatre1982 Containers box 10 , folder 54 Don't Bother Me I Can't Cope 1972-1975 Containers box 10 , folder 55 Dreamgirls , Heinz HallJune 1986 Containers box 10 , folder 56 Eubie , Heinz Hall1979 Containers box 10 , folder 57 Eyes of the American , Negro Ensemble CompanyDecember 1985 Containers box 10 , folder 58 The Fabulous Miss Marie , New Locust Theatre1971 Containers box 10 , folder 59 Fences , Yale Repertory Theatre1985 Containers box 10 , folder 60 For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf ca. 1975-1978 Containers box 10 , folder 61 Guys and Dolls , Broadway TheatreAugust 1976 Containers box 10 , folder 62 Here is Josephine Premice Containers box 10 , folder 63 Home , Cort TheatreAugust 1980 Containers box 10 , folder 64 House of Flowers , Theatre De LysContainers box 10 , folder 65 Jelly's Last Jam , Virginia TheatreJuly 1993 Containers box 10 , folder 66 Joe Turner's Come and Gone , Yale Repertory Theatre1986 Containers box 10 , folder 67 Kinjeketile, Tanzania National Drama Troupe , June 1977 Containers box 10 , folder 68 Lost in the Stars , Imperial TheatreMay 1972 Containers box 10 , folder 69 Ma Rainey's Black Bottom , Cort Theatre1984 Containers box 10 , folder 70 Me and Bessie October 1975 Containers box 10 , folder 71 My Sister, My Sister , Little TheatreMay 1974 Containers box 10 , folder 72 Novella Nelson, National Black Theatre Containers box 10 , folder 73 Ousmen, Second World African Festival of Arts and Culture Containers box 10 , folder 74 Purlie , ANTA Theatreca. 1971 Containers box 10 , folder 75 Raisin , Syria Mosque1976 Containers box 10 , folder 76 A Raisin in the Sun , American Kaleidoscope Inc.1984 Containers box 10 , folder 77 Sarafina! , Benedum Center for the Performing ArtsJanuary 1991 Containers box 10 , folder 78 Stories About the Old Days , New Federal TheatreContainers box 10 , folder 79 The Taking of Miss Janie , Mitzi E. Newhouse TheaterMay 1975 Containers box 10 , folder 80 What the Wine-Seller Buys ca. 1974 Containers box 10 , folder 81 The Wiz ca. 1976 Containers box 10 , folder 82 Your Arms too Short to Box with God , Heinz Hallca. 1979 Containers box 10 , folder 81 Zora and When the Chickens Came Home to Roost , New Federal Theatreca. 1981 Containers box 10 , folder 82 Series VIII. Audio/Visual Recordings , 1969-1985 Scope and Content Notes The audio/visual recordings of the Bob Johnson Papers include examples of his performing career as well as his teaching at the University of Pittsburgh. The recordings in this series have been digitized from the original media as a part of a project funded by a Recordings at Risk grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources. The series is divided into two subseries, one for audio recordings and another for film and video. Both subseries are arranged chronologically.
Subseries 1. Audio , 1969-1985 Scope and Contents The types of recordings in this subseries include concerts, interviews, music accompanying performances, lectures, performances, radio broadcasts, and rehearsals. These audio recordings are arranged in chronological order.
Dancemobile Rehearsal, Harlem Cultural CouncilJuly 21, 1969 Black Studies Faculty Meeting , October 10, 1970 Extent 103 minutes
Scope and Contents The second half of this recording is damaged.
Man, Music accompanying dance performance , March 31, 1971 Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death , Black Horizons Theaterca. 1971 The Black Terror , New York Shakespeare Festivalca. 1971 The Black Terror , New York Shakespeare Festivalca. 1971 House Rent composition, Pittsburgh Black Theatre Dance Ensembleca. 1971 Pittsburgh Congress of African People Present Union of South Africa , ca. 1971 Kuumba Theatre Workshop and McCoy Tyner at the Diplomat , June 1, 1972 Music accompanying performance, Three Rivers Arts Festival , June 3, 1972 Music accompanying performance, Three Rivers Arts Festival , June 5, 1972 Black Happenin' , Theatre UrgeOctober 20, 1972 University of Pittsburgh Seminar on Jazz: A Tribute to the Late John Coltrane
, October 20, 1972 Amiri Baraka Lecture, University of Buffalo , ca. 1972 Ruby Dee Lecture, University of Pittsburgh , ca. 1972 University of Pittsburgh Jazz Concert , March 24, 1973 Exposure I , Afro American Dance CenterMay 19,1974 Fall Term final performance, Afro American Dance Expression , December 6, 1974 Bob LaPrince and Major Mason Discussion , March 30, 1975 Extent 29 minutes
Scope and Contents The Pittsburgh Black Theatre Dance Ensemble, Bob Johnson, and fundraising for the African Heritage classroom at the University of Pittsburgh are disccused on a WEDO radio program.
Black Studies Commercial and Kuumba Theatre Workshop , ca. 1975 Brief Portfolio , Pittsburgh Playhouseca. 1975 Ceremonies in Dark Old Men , Theatre Urgeca. 1975 Conversation with Raymond Sawyer , ca. 1975 Curtiss Porter, Ideologies in Education Lecture , ca. 1975 Free Spirit Song , Pittsburgh Black Theatre Dance Ensembleca. 1975 How Do You Spell Watergait? , Kuumba Theatre Workshopca. 1975 How Do You Spell Watergait? , Kuumba Theatre Workshopca. 1975 National Black Theatre Festival Discussion , ca. 1975 Sun Ra concert, Atlanta, GA , ca. 1975 American Fruit with African Roots , Theatre Urgeca. 1976 Norman Connors and Jean Carn Concert, University of Pittsburgh , April 2, 1976 Hues of Langston , Theatre UrgeJuly 4, 1976 The Money Ritual , Kuumba Theatre WorkshopNovember 8, 1976 Black National Anthem and Brief Portfolio for Bicentennialca. 1976 Bycenttenial ca. 1976 Bi Centennial Musicca. 1976 Black Dick For President ca. 1976 How do you Spell Watergait Rehearsalca. 1976 Praises to the Root music, Nigeria , ca. 1977 Fall Term final performance, Afro American Dance Expression , ca. 1977 The Fabulous Miss Marie ca. 1977 Black Bart and the Sacred Hills Musicca. 1977 A Black Dirty Show , Theatre Urgeca. 1978 Ritual of Damballah ca. 1978 Baseball Ritual , Theatre Urgeca. 1978 Music accompanying workshop, The Wedding , Afro American Dance Center , ca. 1978 Theatre Urge Trilogy , ca. 1978 Black Mayonnaise , 1978 Black Mayonnaise , 1978 Afro American Culture Class , ca. 1978 Afro American Dance Expression , ca. 1978 Bitches Brew Rehearsalca. 1978 Change Cycle , Afro American Dance Expressionca. 1978 Ego Trippin' , Pittsburgh Black Theatre Dance Ensembleca. 1978 Fire - Water - Earth - Air/Man ca. 1978 Fall Term, Afro American Dance Expression , ca. 1978 Kuumba Theatre Workshop Music: Hollywood , ca. 1978 Perpetual Motion rehearsalca. 1978 WAMO Ballet , ca. 1978 Sun Ra concert, Haag, Holland , July 14, 1979 Winter Term, Kuumba Theatre Workshop , ca. 1979 Fall Term final performance, Afro American Dance Expression , 1979 Isis and Osiris Rehearsalca. 1980 Louis Farrakhan Lecture, University of Pittsburgh , ca. 1980 Black Bart and the Sacred Hills , LA Showcaseca. 1980 The Fabulous Miss Marie , Theatre Urgeca. 1980 Fall Term, Afro American Dance Class , ca. 1980 Kuumba Disco , ca. 1980 Miss Marie Disco , ca. 1980 Sayonara Blues and The Fabulous Miss Marie , Theatre Urgeca. 1980 Sparkle Lipstick Disco, WAMO , ca. 1980 Chocolate Puddin' Proposalca. 1981 Fall Term, Afro American Dance Expression , ca. 1981-1982 Professor BonDe Drama Seminar , July 19, 1982 Free Spirit Song and Afro American Dance Finals , ca. 1982 Afro American Dance Finals , ca. 1982 Dance Rehearsal , ca. 1982 Malik's Song , ca. 1982 Music accompanying Dance and Film Classes , ca. 1982 Isis and Osiris ca. 1982 Kuumba Disco and AfroEurasian Eclipse , ca. 1982 Excerpts from Brief Portfolio and Chairman Baraka , ca. 1982 Black Studies Lecture , ca. 1982 Dance Rehearsal Music , ca. 1982 Pittsburgh Dance Council workshop , ca, 1982 Free Spirit Song Music by Ken Addisonca. 1982 Free Spirit Song 1982 Production music, Jitney! , 1982-1983 Afro-American Dance Finals and Earthquake Soundtrack , ca. 1982 Fall Term, Afro American Dance Expression , ca. 1982 **Dance Lecture by Stevo Talks , ca. 1982 Bessie Jones Interview , ca. 1982 Ethel Ramos Harris Interview , ca. 1982 Nigerian Dialogue , ca. 1982 PCEP Board Meeting , ca. 1982 Pedagogy of the Oppressed Seminar , ca. 1982 Sing With the Birds ca. 1982 Dance Rehearsal , ca, 1982 Sarah Yarbourgh Interview , ca. 1982 Center for Cultural Studies Lectures , ca. 1982 WAMO and Sarah LeGrand Interview , ca. 1982 Extent 126 minutes
Scope and Contents Discussion held on Pittsburgh radio station regarding Bob Johnson's Black Happenin' dance production and University of Pittsburgh Black Activism week.
Choices II Soundtrackca. 1984 Extent 12 minutes
Scope and Contents Choices II was directed by Bob Johnson and produced by Streetwise Productions. It aired in December 1984 and January 1985 on Pittsburgh Tele-Communications Inc.
Day of the Picnic and Ego Trippin' , Afro American Dance Expressionsca. 1984 Songs for Little Black Boys Musicca. 1984 Rehearsal Music, Afro American Dance Expression , ca. 1985 Nongogo Rehearsalca. 1985 Subseries 2. Film and Video , 1970-1985 Scope and Contents The types of recordings in this subseries include concerts, home movies, interviews, visuals accompanying performances, lectures, performances, rehearsals, and television broadcasts. These film and video recordings are arranged in chronological order.
Afro Set Party , ca.1970 Extent 19 minutes
Scope and Contents Film recording includes footage of the Afro Set Party marching along a street, in a park, and in front of a school along with speakers and a fashion show at their headquarters. This recording has no audio.
Unidentified Dance Performances , ca. 1972 Extent 35 minutes
Scope and Contents The recording quality is fair. Individual performances of dancers in a studio.
Unidentified Dance Performance , ca. 1972 Extent 28 minutes
Scope and Contents Bob Johnson performance with other unidentified dancers on stage in a theater.
Black Horizons , WQED broadcastca.1973 Bob Johnson Dance , April 6, 1974 Kuumba Theatre Workshop , ca. 1974 Pittsburgh Black Theatre Dance Ensemble , ca. 1974 Extent 19 minutes
Scope and Contents First minute is end of a performance of The Ritual of Damballah. Recording cuts to another dance performance that includes Bob Johnson and other unidentified dancers.
The Rail , Kuumba Theatre Workshopca. 1974 Black Butter , Theatre UrgeFebruary 1, 1975
Sun Ra Concert , September 2, 1975 Reading and Discussion, Kuntu Writers Workshop , November 25, 1975 Extent 65 minutes
Scope and Contents This recording of the Kuntu Writer's Workshop includes unidentified participants reading and discussing their work. August Wilson performs a scene written by him with two women. Following the readings, a discussion is led by Rob Penny.
The Fabulous Miss Marie , Theatre Urgeca. 1975 Extent 34 mins
Scope and Contents Recording includes footage from cast party.
In Dorm Living , Kuumba Theatre Workshopca. 1975 Extent 19 minutes
Scope and Contents The theme for this iteration of Kuumba Theatre Workshop was dorm life at Pitt.
Performance, Afro American Dance Expression , ca. 1975 Performance, Afro American Dance Expression , ca. 1975 Performances, Pittsburgh Black Theatre Dance Ensemble , ca.1975 Extent 25 minutes
Scope and Contents This film recording contains two unidentified performances by the Pittsburgh Black Theatre Dance Ensemble. It also includes footage of Johnson's family and an unidentified festival. This recording has no audio.
University Unity , Kuumba Theatre Workshopca. 1975 Extent 33 mins
Scope and Contents The theme of this iteration of Kuumba Theatre Workshop was discrimination at the University of Pittsburgh.
Black Butter , Theatre UrgeJanuary 31, 1976 Extent 63 minutes
Scope and Contents This performance was staged at the Afro American Dance Center.
Performance, Theatre Urge , September 4, 1976 The Money Ritual Performance, Kuumba Theatre Workshop , November 8, 1976 Extent 48 minutes
Scope and Contents This is a recording of a Kuumba Theatre Workshop class performance in the William Pitt Union.
Compilation of Performances , ca. 1976 Extent 49 minutes
Scope and Contents Dance performances in this recording include Raymond Sawyer Disco 76, Lecture Demo, The Bottle, American Fruit, and Sing with the Birds.
Black Expressions!, Pittsburgh Black Theatre Dance Ensemble and Oakland School of Theatre Dance , March 1977 Extent 32 minutes
Scope and Contents Recording of Black Expressions performance at Carlow College's Antonian Theatre. Collaborative production of Pittsburgh Black Theatre Dance Ensemble and Cathy Powell's Oakland School of Theatre Dance.
Second Annual World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) , 1977 Extent 14 minutes
Scope and Contents Film recording was taken during the Second Annual World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC). Footage includes dancers, including Bob Johnson, rehearsing, street performers with masks and puppets. Also footage of the people and environment of Lagos, Nigeria, where the festival took place. This recording has no audio.
Emotions , Kuumba Theatre Workshopca. 1977 Fall Term Performance, Afro American Dance Expression , ca. 1977-1978 The Believers , Kuumba Theatre Workshopca. 1978 Extent 50 minutes
Scope and Contents "The Believers" written by Margret Walker, student monologues and dancing. First minute and half blank.
Black Horizons , WQED broadcastca. 1978 Extent 52 minutes
Scope and Contents Tape slightly damaged, but picture quality preserved.
Cassette 6, Black Horizons Profile- Spotlight on Nate Smith. Bob Johnson dances. Last segment is "Gifted, Black, and in Pittsburgh."
Halloween Project, Kuumba Theatre Workshop , October 30, 1979 Extent 28 minutes
Scope and Contents Recording cuts out at various moments. Performance at University of Pittsburgh about identity, music, race, slavery with costumes.
Fall Term final performance, African American Dance Expression , December 14, 1979 Current Events , Kuumba Theatre WorkshopJune 17, 1980 Class Performance, Kuumba Theatre Workshop , ca. 1980 Extent 33 minutes
Scope and Contents The picture quality of this recording is poor. The first two minutes are blank.
Pittsburgh's Dancin' , WQED broadcastca. 1980 Talkin Jazz , Pittsburgh Filmmakersca. 1980 Scope and Contents This show explores aspects of jazz outside of the club atmosphere, and provides footage of jazz musicians.
What's Your Sign? , Kuumba Theatre Workshopca. 1980 Extent 63 minutes
Scope and Contents The theme for this iteration of Kuumba Theatre Workshop was astrology.
A Love Rap in Funky Town , Kuumba Theatre WorkshopJuly 30, 1981 A Collage of Presentations, Kuumba Theatre Workshop , January 22, 1982 Nothing Feels Better and Lady Beebop March 29, 1982 Performance, Kuumba Theatre Workshop , June 1, 1982 Extent 14 minutes
Scope and Contents Directed by Ann Young, students perform simple choreography. Recording produced by Bob Johnson at the Webster Hall Studio, Warner Cable Corp. of Pittsburgh.
The African Footprint and African American Dance Expression October 7, 1982 The Undisco Fusion , Kuumba Theatre WorkshopNovember 30, 1982 The Afro-American Dance Expression Technique and other recordings , ca. 1982 Extent 61 minutes
Scope and Contents No sound in this recording. Multiple videos on this film including Theatre Urge performances, home movies, a slide show of photos, and city footage.
Blacks in Pittsburgh: A Chronology 1850-1950 ca. 1983 Extent 34 minutes
Scope and Contents The theme for this iteration of Kuumba Theatre Workshop was the history of African Americans in Pittsburgh.
Ego Trippin' and Why Black Studies Creativity WorkshopAugust 2, 1984 Myrenna Hawthorne Interview and Performance , ca. 1984 It's Spooky Disco and Why Black Studies January 28, 1985 Scope and Contents 44 minutes
Reddit
Twitter
Facebook