Negro Ensemble Company program for "The First Breeze of Summer": Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

A black-and-white paper program printed by The Negro Ensemble Company, Inc. for “The First Breeze of Summer”.

At center of program's front cover is a white circle with black text reading, [the/Negro/Ensemble/Company]. The background of front and back covers of program feature white type set against a black background. The type is displayed both vertically and horizontally in a jumbled manner. The letters [N], [E], and [C], are repeated in order throughout.

The inside of the program features a letter to attendees from the show's artistic director, Douglas Turner Ward, as well as cast and credit information on the performance of “The First Breeze of Summer”.

On the interior left page is the Negro Ensemble Company circular logo and [St. Mark’s Playhouse, 133 Second Avenue, New York City 10003 / 677-3939 / Douglass Turner Ward / Artistic Director / Robert Hooks / Executive Director / Frederick Garrett / Administrative Director]. The page continues in letter form: [Dear Friend: / I hope that you have enjoyed seeing this Negro Ensemble / Company presentation. / I know that we are all called on by many worthy causes. / Nonetheless, I am asking you to make a special gift to / a very special cause. /

The NEC was created when concerned Black artists realized / how little opportunity they had to participate in the / commercial and non-commercial theatre. Our program, which / is designed to use existing and new Black talent, consists / of a professional theatre production group and a training / program for young Blacks in all areas of the theatre, / from acting to backstage crafts, management, press relations, / etc. /

This program should have every opportunity to continue as / a working reality, but it cannot do so without the contri- / butions of those friends who know and believe in our work. / No matter how successful we may be with our productions, / they cannot ever generate sufficient revenue to support / our completely tuition-free training program. /

I hope that you will join me and others who, through our / gifts to the NEC, are trying to have this unique program available to more artists and technicians who vitally need / the training opportunity provided by the continued / existence of the NEC. /

Your contribution is tax-deductible. Your check should / be payable to the Negro Ensemble Company, Inc., and sent / to use at 133 Second Ave., N.Y.C., N.Y. 10003].

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date: 1975
• Published by: Negro Ensemble Company, American, founded 1967
• Subject of: Leslie Lee
• Subject of: Woodie King Jr., American, born 1937
• Directed by: Robert Hooks, American, born 1937
• Directed by: Douglas Turner Ward, born 1930
• Directed by: Frederick Garrett, American
• Type: programs
• Medium: ink on paper with metal
• Dimensions: H x W x D: 9 × 6 1/16 × 1/16 in. (22.9 × 15.4 × 0.2 cm)
• Place used: New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
• Topic: African American
• Topic: Actors
• Topic: Advertising
• Topic: Drama (Theatre)
• Topic: Entertainers
• Topic: Theatre
• Topic: Theatre companies
• Object number: 2014.196.16
• Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Dr. Sandra Austin
• Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of African American History and Culture through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed. The underlying object's rights statement is: © Negro Ensemble Company Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.