Research Catalog

Title

Lawrence James papers, 1956-1996.

Author

James, Lawrence, 1935-

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

.6 lin. ft. (2 archival boxes)

Summary

The Lawrence James Papers consist of personal and professional correspondence concerning his acting career, 1959-1995; contracts 1966-1994; production and rehearsal schedules; and theater programs, flyers, and news clippings pertaining to performances of "Fences" (1990), "Black Eagles (1991), "Driving Miss Daisy", "I'm Not Rappaport" (1990) and "Mr. Ricky Calls a Meeting" (1994) in which James appeared. Files on Buffalo's African American Cultural Center consist of correspondence, reports, news clippings and programs relating to the Center's services, 1970-1976.

Subjects

• Theater programs
• James, Lawrence, 1935-
• African American actors
• African American Cultural Center (Buffalo, N.Y.)
• Arts administrators
• African Americans in the performing arts

Genre/Form

Theater programs.

Note

• Photographs transferred to Photographs and Prints Division.

Source (note)

• Edward Lawrence, Sr.

Biography (note)

• Actor and director Lawrence James (born Edward Lawrence in 1935) is a graduate of the Studio Theater School in Buffalo, New York. While still a student there, he appeared in "A Raisin in the Sun" (1963) with Claudia McNeil. Subsequently, he became a member of Buffalo's Studio Arena Theater's first and only resident acting company. James was a member of the company for over two years, appearing in such productions as "Little Foxes" (1966) with Colleen Dewhurst.
• After working at Buffalo's African American Cultural Center's theater for several years as drama instructor, James became the executive director (1968-1976), using his given name of Edward Lawrence. He was a driving force in broadening programs for children and adults at the Center, and focused on supporting and promoting the Black experience to the Black community. He also continued to direct and perform in the theater's productions.
• After leaving the Center in 1976, James appeared in several Off-Broadway and regional productions. He spent two years in residence at New York City's Theater for the Forgotten under the CETA Arts Program, which sponsored performances of Shakespeare and the classics in New York City public high schools (1979-1980). His theatrical credits include "The Trial of Dr. Beck" (1981-1980), "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" (1987-1988), "Joe Turner's Come and Gone" (1989), and "The Piano Lesson" (1992), with principal roles in "Fences" (1990-1991) and "Driving Miss Daisy" (1990). Lawrence has also appeared in several television dramas and films including "Malcolm X" (1992), directed by Spike Lee, and "Manhattan" (1979).

Call Number

Sc MG 579

OCLC

• 463334341
• 463334341

Author

James, Lawrence, 1935-

Title

Lawrence James papers, 1956-1996.

Biography

Actor and director Lawrence James (born Edward Lawrence in 1935) is a graduate of the Studio Theater School in Buffalo, New York. While still a student there, he appeared in "A Raisin in the Sun" (1963) with Claudia McNeil. Subsequently, he became a member of Buffalo's Studio Arena Theater's first and only resident acting company. James was a member of the company for over two years, appearing in such productions as "Little Foxes" (1966) with Colleen Dewhurst.

After working at Buffalo's African American Cultural Center's theater for several years as drama instructor, James became the executive director (1968-1976), using his given name of Edward Lawrence. He was a driving force in broadening programs for children and adults at the Center, and focused on supporting and promoting the Black experience to the Black community. He also continued to direct and perform in the theater's productions.

After leaving the Center in 1976, James appeared in several Off-Broadway and regional productions. He spent two years in residence at New York City's Theater for the Forgotten under the CETA Arts Program, which sponsored performances of Shakespeare and the classics in New York City public high schools (1979-1980). His theatrical credits include "The Trial of Dr. Beck" (1981-1980), "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" (1987-1988), "Joe Turner's Come and Gone" (1989), and "The Piano Lesson" (1992), with principal roles in "Fences" (1990-1991) and "Driving Miss Daisy" (1990). Lawrence has also appeared in several television dramas and films including "Malcolm X" (1992), directed by Spike Lee, and "Manhattan" (1979).

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Finding Aid

Research Call Number

Sc MG 579