The Lafayette Players (jan 1, 1915 – jan 1, 1932)

Description:

Founded initially in Harlem as the Anita Bush Stock Company by dancer and performer Anita Bush, The Lafayette Players were the first African American theater company. The group, which started at the Lincoln Theatre, would end up moving to the Lafayette Theater shortly after its start, where they would find not only their name but their footing and begin to flourish. Over its 17 years, the company expanded into four different branches and was home to more than 300 performers, many of whom would become popular in post-World War I cinema. Perhaps one of the more well-known alumni would be Arthur “Dooley” Wilson, one of the original members of the cast who would go on to play Sam in 1942’s Casablanca. Another founding member of the group, Evelyn Preer, went on to star as Oscar Micheaux’s leading lady in films like Within Our Gates (1920). She was widely applauded and adored by audiences both Black and white for exceptional performances in a variety of roles, and her premature death was mourned by many.

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