Photograph included in the Exhibit: L.A. Landmarks - Lost and Almost Lost. Founded by Nick and Edna Stewart in 1950, the Ebony Showcase Theater was the first African American owned theater in Los Angeles, located at 4718-26 W. Washington Blvd. Nick Stewart, who was most famous for his portrayal of “Lightnin’” in the TV show Amos and Andy, and voicing Brer Rabbit in Disney’s Song of the South, sought to build a place where African Americans could act in roles outside of the traditional stereotypes. The theater has been credited for starting the career of many young black actors, including Michelle Nichols, John Amos and Isabel Sanford. It was demolished in 1998. Photograph caption dated October 16, 1981 reads, "Nick and Edna Stewart have done a lot to change black stereotypes in theater with their plays since the days when Nick had an act as a comedian."
Type
Image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;36 x 23 cm. Photographic prints
Stewart, Nick,--1910-2000 Stewart, Edna Ebony Showcase Theater (Los Angeles, Calif.) Theaters--California--Los Angeles Marquees--California--Los Angeles Actors--United States Actors' spouses--United States Streets--California--Los Angeles Couples--California--Los Angeles Lost architecture--California--Los Angeles Washington Boulevard (Los Angeles, Calif.) Mid-City (Los Angeles, Calif.) Group portraits Portrait photographs Los Angeles Herald-Examiner photographs Herald-Examiner Collection photographs
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