Research Catalog

Details

Description

1. .6 lin. ft.

Summary

1. The Ernest "Tad" Truesdale Papers primarily document the performer's professional career and includes biographical information, playscripts, news clippings, reviews, programs, correspondence and financial records.

Donor/Sponsor

1. Schomburg NEH Automated Access to Special Collections Project.

Subject

1. African American dramatists
2. Scripts
3. La Mama Experimental Theatre Club
4. African American actors
5. African American theater
6. African Americans in the performing arts
7. Dancers > United States
8. Truesdale, Ernest, 1926-1988
9. African American entertainers
10. American Negro Theatre

Call number

1. Sc MG 103

Note

1. Audiotapes transferred to Moving Image and Recorded Sound Division.
2. Photographs transferred to Photographs and Prints Division.
3. Sketches and posters transferred to Photographs and Prints Division.

Source (note)

1. Charlotte Evans

Biography (note)

1. Ernest Truesdale, whose stage name was Tad Truesdale, was a dancer, choreographer, actor, writer, producer and director.

Processing action (note)

1. Accessioned
2. Cataloged

Author

1. Truesdale, Ernest, 1926-1988.

Title

1. Ernest "Tad" Truesdale papers, 1945-1987.

Biography

1. Ernest Truesdale, whose stage name was Tad Truesdale, was a dancer, choreographer, actor, writer, producer and director. He studied acting at the New School for Social Research, and dance with Charles Weidman and at the Katherine Dunham School. A versatile performer, Truesdale's career dealt mostly with African, calypso and African American aspects of theater. His work primarily was in New Jersey and New York City. As a dancer, he had two dance acts in the 1950's: Truesdale and Francine, and Truesdale and Theral, and also danced in Broadway musicals, including "St. Louis Woman" and "Carmen Jones," and toured Europe and Asia with a variety of shows including the Harlem Blackbirds. He was a student member of the American Negro Theatre Company and appeared in the Broadway production of "Anna Lucasta." Truesdale also performed in several Off-Broadway productions, television and made recordings. From 1975-1984 he worked with La Mama Experimental Theatre Club in New York City as playwright and director. He also was active with dramatics in the public schools.

Connect to:

1. Finding Aid

Research call number

1. Sc MG 103