eta Creative Arts Foundation Records

Dates: 1983-2000 (Bulk dates, 1983-1996)
Size: 1.5 linear feet in 3 boxes
Repository: Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, 400 S. State Street, Chicago, IL 60605
Collection Number: spe.ctc-eta
Immediate Source of acquisition: Donated to Chicago Public Library by Abena Joan Brown in 1993. Additional materials added in 2004 and found in collection.
Conditions governing use: Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection
Conditions governing access: Materials are open without restrictions.
Physical Location Note: Materials are stored offsite and advance notice is required for use. Please request materials at least 24-hours prior to your research visit to coordinate access.
Preferred citation: When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: eta Creative Arts Foundation Records, [Box #, Folder #], Special Collections, Chicago Public Library
Finding aid author: Original author unknown. Updated and ingested into ArchivesSpace by Sarah Zimmerman, 2021.

Abstract

eta was founded in 1969 by Abena Joan Brown and Okoro Harold Johnson. The theater produces dramas and musicals by local and national playwrights and features “Playwrights Speak,” a readers’ theater for new playwrights.

Biographical/Historical

The Ebony Talent Agency/Creative Arts Foundation, Chicago’s largest cultural arts complex in the African American community, was started by performers Abena Joan Brown and Okoro Harold Johnson with journalist Al Johnson and attorney Archie Weston in 1969. A licensed talent agency, with franchises from both the American Federation of Television and Radio Arts and the Screen Actors Guild, eta branched out in 1971 to provide training and performance opportunities for adults, teens and children.

Like many theaters without a permanent space, eta spent their earliest years performing in available auditoriums and theaters around town until 1971, when they settled at the Harris YWCA where Ms. Brown was on the executive staff. From 1971 through 1978 eta Creative Arts held classes and workshops at the Harris and staged productions such as El Hajj Malik, Up from the Ashes and Second Coming-Last Chance among many others.

In 1978, Ms. Brown began looking for investors to help eta renovate an abandoned storm window factory at 76th and South Chicago. With the help of an advisory board (which became the official Board of Directors in 1984), an extensive network of community and volunteer support and a challenge grant from the National Endowment, the renovation of the factory was completed in 1988. The 16,000 square foot building at 7558 S. Chicago Avenue holds a state-of the-art 200-seat theater, a library, a gallery, a student theatre, classrooms and workshop space and offices.

Over the years, eta has offered subscription series and produced dramas and musicals by both local and national playwrights, such as Charles Michael Moore, Ray Aranha and Rob Penney. eta has also featured readers’ theater for new playwrights called Playwrights Speak and Showfolk, a series of original plays for children such as Useni Perkins’ The Black Fairy and Runako Jahi’s Song and Dance.

eta provided an extensive training program for all aspects of performing arts and stagecraft for all ages, in addition to sponsoring several summer programs such as Chicago on the Nile for 6 to 12 year olds and Arts for Youth Empowerment, collaboration with the Muntu Dance Company and the Chicago Housing Authority.

Scope and Contents

A sampling of material from the eta Creative Arts Foundation was given to Special Collections in 1991 to be part of the Chicago Theater Collection. While it in no way provides a picture of the Foundation in its entirety, the collection does provide a general researcher with some idea of the scope of influence and the range of activities eta has provided. Researchers wishing to do an in-depth study of a particular production or more comprehensive research on eta are encouraged to contact the theater.

Materials represented in the collection include: production programs, promotional information, reviews and a sampling of material relevant to the fundraising and development aspects of the Foundation.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into two series.

Series 1: Production History Files, 1983-2000, undated
Series 2: Administrative Files, 1983-1993, undated

Separated Materials

Videotapes have been removed to the Chicago Theater Videotape Collection.

Related Collections

  • Chicago Theater Videotape Collection

Subject Headings

  • Brown, Abena Joan
  • Johnson, Okoro Harold
  • Weston, Archie
  • Johnson, Al
  • eta Creative Arts Foundation – Archives
  • African American theater – Illinois – Chicago – 20th century – Sources
  • Theater – Illinois – Chicago – 20th century – Sources
  • Theater – Study and teaching – Illinois – Chicago – 20th century – Sources
  • Theater programs
  • Theater reviews

Collection Inventory

Series 1: Production History Files, 1983-2000, undated

Scope and Contents

The Production History Files include programs, flyers, photographs and other promotional materials related to productions staged at eta. Videotapes are intellectually listed within the collection inventory, but have physically been removed to the Chicago Theater Videotape Collection.

Arrangement

The Production History Files are arranged by theater season. Productions may be assumed to be “Mainstage” unless otherwise identified by “Readers Theater” or “Showfolk,” which are listed at the end of the season they were presented.

Box 1 Folder 1 Journey Through Forever by Oscar Brown, Jr. Reviews, 1983 November-December
Box 1 Folder 2 General season schedule, 1984-1985
Box 1 Folder 3 If Blues Was a Dolla’ written and directed by Songodina (Carl Morrison). Score by Ernest McCarty, costumes by Lynn Ousley, with Billy Branch. Program and flyer, 1985 February 28-April 7
Box 1 Folder 4 Schedule, 1985-1986
Box 1 Folder 5 The Black Fairy by Useni Eugene Perkins. Review, 1985 December
Box 1 Folder 6 General season, schedule, 1986-1987
Box 1 Folder 7 A Passenger Past Midnight by Runako Jahi. Directed by Abena Joan Brown, musical direction by Eli Hoe Nai, with Runako Jahi. News clipping, 1986 September
Box 1 Folder 8 Quiet as It’s Kept written and directed by Songodina. Review, 1986 December 8
Box 1 Folder 9 Love’s Light in Flight written and directed by Charles Michael Moore. Costumes by Imani Carole Bailey, lighting by Craig Ford, Jr., sets by Okoro Harold Johnson. Review, 1987 March 26
Box 1 Folder 10 Fats: His Life and Times by Runako Jahi. Directed by Okoro Harold Johnson, lighting by Darryl Goodman, costumes by Yaumilton Brown. Reviews, 1987 May 22
Box 1 Folder 11 Deadwood Dick by Useni Eugene Perkins. Directed by Quemati Janice Porter. News clipping, 1987 January 7
Box 1 Folder 12 General season, schedules, 1987-1988
Box 1 Folder 13 Again, Sometime Soon and Slowdance in Room 8C written and directed by Runako Jahi. Costumes by Kemba Johnson, lighting and sets by Darryl Goodman. Reviews, 1988 January
Box 1 Folder 14 Enter Frederick Douglass by Sylvia Jarrico. With William Marshall. Review, 1988 February 17
Box 1 Folder 15 Enter Frederick Douglass. Photograph (1), [1988]
Box 1 Folder 16 Sons and Fathers of Sons by Ray Aranha. Directed by Charles Michael Moore. Reviews, 1988 March 5-27
Box 1 Folder 17 The Black Fairy by Useni Eugene Perkins and Steppin Out II. News clipping, 1988 July 16
Box 1 Folder 18 General season schedules, 1988-1989
Box 1 Folder 19 Strange Fruit written and directed by Okoro Harold Johnson. Musical direction by Vince Wells, lighting by Craig Ford, Jr. Program and flyer, 1988 October 20-November 27
Box 1 Folder 20 A Place to Be Me by Runako Jahi. Reviews, 1988 December 17-1989 January 6
Box 1 Folder 21 Again, Sometime Soon and Slowdance in Room 8C written and directed by Runako Jahi. Review, 1989 August
Box 1 Folder 22 General season schedules and promotional material, 1989-1990
Box 1 Folder 23 Loves Light in Flight written and directed by Charles Michael Moore. Sets by Runako Jahi, lights by Darryl Goodman. Program, 1989 September 21-October 29
    Loves Light in Flight written and directed by Charles Michael Moore. Sets by Runako Jahi, lights by Darius Woolfolk, with Martrice Edge, Dalvalie Friend, Lori Clovetta Watson, Renee Lockett-Lawson, Askia Bantu, Dennis Allen, Andre T. Teamer, Darryl Reed and Cliff Frazier. Video recording (approx. 120 minutes, color) [See: Chicago Theater Videotape Collection #1.178], 1989 October 1
Box 1 Folder 24 Mood Indigo by Julian Swain. Directed and designed by Okoro Harold Johnson, musical direction Calvin Brunson, choreographed by Julian Swain, costumes by Ellis Foster, lighting by Darryl Goodman. Program, 1989 November 16-December 23
Box 1 Folder 25 Mood Indigo. Photograph (1), 1989
Box 1 Folder 26 Good Black by Rob Penny. Directed by Woodie King, Jr., sets by Okoro Harold Johnson, costumes by Ellis Foster, lights by Darryl Goodman, with Runako Jahi. Reviews, 1990 January
Box 1 Folder 27 A House Divided by Marylene Whitehead. Directed by Okoro Harold Johnson. Flyer, 1990 April 19-May 27
Box 1 Folder 28 Dr. Watts and the Saints by Phyllis Cartwright. Review, 1990 July 20
Box 1 Folder 29 Readers Theatre – Boogie Woogie and Booker T. by Wesley Brown. Staged by Kemati Janice E. Porter. Program, 1989 November 27
Box 1 Folder 30 Readers Theatre – The Trial of Adam Clayton Powell by Billy Graham. Staged by Allen Edge. Program, 1990 January 29
Box 1 Folder 31 Readers Theatre – Sharp Blades in Tender Grass by Herman Cromwell Gilbert. Staged by Okoro Harold Johnson. Program, 1990 March 5
Box 1 Folder 32 Showfolk – Black Fairy by Useni Eugene Perkins. Directed by Runako Jahi, music by Tony Liorens and Jami Ayinde. Program and study guide, 1989
Box 1 Folder 33 Showfolk – Song and Dance by Runako Jahi. Flyer and review, 1990 June 25-July 31
Box 1 Folder 34 General season schedules, 1990-1991
    Excerpts from Classes. Student Showcase and Professional Performances from the 1990-1991 Season. Video recording (approx. 60 minutes, color) [See: Chicago Theater Videotape Collection #1.176], circa 1992
Box 1 Folder 35 Good Black by Rob Penny. Directed by Woodie King, Jr., sets by Okoro Harold Johnson, costumes by Ellis Foster. Program, 1990 September 30-October 28
    Good Black by Rob Penny. Directed by Woodie King, Jr., sets by Okoro Harold Johnson, costumes by Ellis Foster, lights by Darius Woolfolk, with Ellis Foster, Runako Jahi, Audrey Morgan, Kemati Janice Porter, Valerie Robinson, Carol E. Hall, Donn C. Harper and Yvonne Dabney. Video recording (approx. 120 minutes, color) [See: Chicago Theater Videotape Collection #1.177], 1990 November 11
Box 1 Folder 36 If Blues Was a Dolla’ II by Songadina. Reviews, 1990 December 13
Box 1 Folder 37 Stoops by Crystal V. Rhodes. Directed by Runako Jahi, sets by Dorian Sylvain, costumes by Ellis Foster. Program and reviews, 1991 January 24-March 3
Box 1 Folder 38 Rollin’ with Stevens and Stewart by Ronald Stevens and Jaye Stewart. Directed and choreographed by Ronald Stevens. Programs and reviews, 1991 March 14-April 21
Box 1 Folder 39 Survival by Themba Ntinga, Seth Sibanda, Fana Kekana, Selaelo Maredi and Mshengu. Directed by Jerry Mofokeng. Review, 1991 May 7
Box 1 Folder 40 Among All This You Stand Like a Fine Brownstone adapted and directed by Vantile Whitfield. Set design by Dorian Sylvain. Program and reviews, 1991 June 6-July 14
Box 1 Folder 41 Showfolk – Black Fairy by Useni Eugene Perkins. Reviews, 1990 November-December
Box 1 Folder 42 Showfolk – A Place to be You and Me by Runako Jahi. Review and study guide, 1991 January-February
Box 1 Folder 43 General season schedules, 1991-1992
Box 1 Folder 44 Stoops by Crystal V. Rhodes. Directed by Runako Jahi, sets by Dorian Sylvain, costumes by Ellis Foster, lighting by Darryl Goodman. Program and reviews, 1991 September 19-October 27
    Stoops by Crystal V. Rhodes. Directed by Runako Jahi, sets by Dorian Sylvain, costumes by Ellis Foster, lights by Darius Woolfolk, with Holly Hancock, Sanetta Y. Gipson, Juliette Ferguson, Brian P. Weddington, Bernadette L. Clarke and Mike Kirk. Video recording (approx. 120 minutes, color) [See: Chicago Theater Videotape Collection #1.179], 1991 October 27
Box 1 Folder 45 Dirt by David L. Crowder. Directed by Kemati Janice Porter, sets by Dorian Sylvain, costumes by Marguerite Scott. Program and reviews, 1991 November 21-December 29
Box 1 Folder 46 Dirt. Photograph (1), [1991]
Box 1 Folder 47 The Last Season by Christopher Moore. Directed by Chuck Smith, sets by Dorian Sylvain, costumes by Rosemary Reeves. Program and reviews, 1992 January 23-March 1
Box 1 Folder 48 Tatum Family Blues written and directed by Charles Michael Moore. Sets by Dorian Sylvain, costumes by Jijinota Oyayemi. Programs and reviews, 1992 March 26-May 3
Box 1 Folder 49 Rita Warford, Now and Muntu Dance Theatre. Press kit, 1992 May 28-June 7
Box 1 Folder 50 Rita Warford, Now and Muntu Dance Theatre. Program, 1992 May 28-June 7
Box 1 Folder 51 Muntu Dance Theatre. Photograph (1), [1992]
Box 1 Folder 52 Harvest the Frost by Nubia Kai. Directed by Woodie King, Jr., sets by Dorian Sylvain, costumes by Ellis Foster. Program and reviews, 1992 June 18-July 26
Box 1 Folder 53 Harvest the Frost. Photographs (3), negative (1), 1992
Box 1 Folder 54 Readers Theatre – Shine by Syl Jones. Staged by Kemati J. Porter. Program, 1991 October 28
Box 2 Folder 1 General season schedules, 1992-1993
    Tatum Family Blues written and directed by Charles Michael Moore. Sets by Dorian Sylvain, costumes by Jijinota Oyayemi, lights by Dariuds Woolfolk, with Askia Bantu, Daryl Charisse, Renee Lockett-Lawson, Darryl Reed, Dushon Brown and Karl Gibson. Video recording (approx. 120 minutes, color) [See: Chicago Theater Videotape Collection #1.175], 1992 October 22
Box 2 Folder 2 The Brother and the BAP by Michael Myer. Directed by Kemati Janice Porter, sets by Dorian Sylvain, costumes by Marguerite Scott. Program and reviews, 1992 November 19-December 27
Box 2 Folder 3 The Brother and the BAP. Photographs (4), [1992]
Box 2 Folder 4 Shango Diaspora by Angela Jackson. Reviews, 1993 January-February
Box 2 Folder 5 Dee Alexander, Muntu and Rita Warford. Reviews, 1993 March 26
Box 2 Folder 6 The American Boys by Stephen Mack Jones. Directed by Chuck Smith. Reviews, 1993 April-May
Box 2 Folder 7 God’s Trombones by James Weldon Johnson. Directed by Woodie King. Reviews, 1993 July
Box 2 Folder 8 Showfolk – The Positive Evolution of Bongo Baker written and directed by Runako Jahi. Score by Wanda Bishop, choreography by Bobby Andrews. Reviews, 1992 December-July 17
Box 2 Folder 9 Showfolk – The Positive Evolution of Bongo Baker. Program and study guide, 1992 December- 1993 May
Box 2 Folder 10 General season brochure, 1993-1994
Box 2 Folder 11 Elvira and the Lost Prince. Review, 1993 December 10
Box 2 Folder 12 Food for the Gods by Songodina Ifatunji. Review, 1994 February
Box 2 Folder 13 Sound of Sad Young Men by Carl Hancock-Rux. Review, 1994 April 8
Box 2 Folder 14 Ring-S Around Rosie by Frances D. Harrison. Reviews, 1994 May 26, undated
Box 2 Folder 15 Stepper’s Ball by Phyllis Curtwright. Review, 1994 July 29
Box 2 Folder 16 Goin’ to the Club by Darlette McAlpin. Reviews, 1994 November-December
Box 2 Folder 17 Stoops by Crystal Rhodes. Review, circa 1995 January-February
Box 2 Folder 18 Twenty Year Friends by James E. Gaines. Review, 1995 July
Box 2 Folder 19 The Trial of One Short-Sighted Black Woman vs. Mammy Louise and Safreeta Mae by Marcia L. Leslie. Review, 1995 December 8
Box 2 Folder 20 Urban Transition: Loose Blossoms by Ron Milner. Review, 1996 February 9
Box 2 Folder 21 Loves Light in Flight by Charles Michael Moore. Review, 1996 July 26
Box 2 Folder 22 Sasha Sings Dinah. Review, 1996 December 13
Box 2 Folder 23 Boppin’ with the Ancestors by Rob Penny. Review, 1997 January 17
Box 2 Folder 24 This Far by Faith by Marylee Whitehead. Review, 1997 March 21
Box 2 Folder 25 Five on the Black Hand Side by Charlie Russell. Review, 1997 May 22
Box 2 Folder 26 Comfort Stew by Angela Jackson. Review, 1997 July 18
Box 2 Folder 27 Winners/Losers by Kathryn Webster. Review, 1998 January 13
Box 2 Folder 28 Avery Brooks in Paul Robeson by Phillip Hayes Dean. Program, 1998 April 18
Box 2 Folder 29 Anchorman (A Blues Operetta) by Paul Carter Harrison. Review, 1999 June 11
Box 2 Folder 30 Sing, Sister, Sing by David Sheppard. Review, 1999 August 6
Box 2 Folder 31 Get Ready by Joe Plummer, Debi Stewart and Jaye Stewart. Review, 1999 November
Box 2 Folder 32 Dream of Ophelia. Review, 2000 February 23
Box 2 Folder 33 Checkmates by Ron Milner. Review, 2000 March-April
Box 2 Folder 34 Riffs by Bill Harris. Review, 2000 September 27
Box 2 Folder 35 Unidentified production photographs (4), undated
    Unidentified video recording [See: Chicago Theater Videotape Collection #4.48], undated
    Unidentified video recording [See: Chicago Theater Videotape Collection #4.54], undated

Series 2: Administrative Files, 1983-1993, undated

Scope and Contents

The Administrative Files series includes news clippings, newsletters, photographs and promotional materials for fundraising events and programs hosted and run by eta.

Arrangement

Materials have been grouped into categories: “General,” “Development and Fundraising,” “Developing and Fundraising, Events” and “Outreach and Programs.” Files are listed alphabetically within.

Box 2 Folder 36 General – eta Magic Story Book, 1988 September
Box 2 Folder 37 General – Mission statement and History, 1991
Box 2 Folder 38 General – New clippings, 1983-1996, undated
Box 2 Folder 39 General – Newsletter Magic Notes, 1989-1993
Box 2 Folder 40 General – Staff (Abena Joan Brown, Jeff Donaldson, Runako Jahi, Woodie King, Jr., David McKnight), photographs (5), undated
Box 2 Folder 41 General – Stationery, undated
Box 2 Folder 42 Development and Fundraising – eta Magic Calendar, 1990
Box 2 Folder 43 Development and Fundraising – eta Magic Calendar, 1991
Box 2 Folder 44 Development and Fundraising – eta Magic Calendar, 1992
Box 2 Folder 45 Development and Fundraising – eta Magic Calendar, 1993
Box 2 Folder 46 Development and Fundraising – General fundraising, flyer, undated
Box 3 Folder 1 Development and Fundraising, Events – Celebration ‘88 We Have Arrived, program and promotional information, 1988 September 17
Box 3 Folder 2 Development and Fundraising, Events – Celebration ‘90 Color Us Magic, program and invitation, 1990 September 8
Box 3 Folder 3 Development and Fundraising, Events – Gala ‘91 Celebrating the Divas of the 20th Century, program, 1991 September 7
Box 3 Folder 4 Development and Fundraising, Events – Gala ’91 Celebrating the Divas of the 20th Century, photographs (2), [1991]
Box 3 Folder 5 Development and Fundraising, Events – Gala ‘92 Exulting in our Epic Men of the 20th Century, program and invitation, 1992 September 12
Box 3 Folder 6 Development and Fundraising, Events – Gala ’92 Exulting in Our Epic Men of the 20th Century, photographs (3), [1992]
Box 3 Folder 7 Development and Fundraising, Events – Gala '93Celebrating Our Oneness, invitation, 1993 September 11
Box 3 Folder 8 Development and Fundraising, Events – Golf, First Annual Golf Outing, program and flyer, 1990 August 9
Box 3 Folder 9 Development and Fundraising, Events – Golf, Second Annual Celebrity Golf and Tennis Outing, program, flyer and news clippings, 1991 March 21, 1991 August 7
Box 3 Folder 10 Development and Fundraising, Events – Golf, Third Annual Celebrity Golf and Tennis Outing, program and news clipping, 1992 August 13-19
Box 3 Folder 11 Development and Fundraising, Events – Golf Outings, photographs (4), circa 1990-1992
Box 3 Folder 12 Development and Fundraising, Events – Salute to Major Contributors, program and invitation, 1989 December 13
Box 3 Folder 13 Development and Fundraising, Events – Salute to Major Contributors, program and invitation, 1990 December 11
Box 3 Folder 14 Development and Fundraising, Events – Salute to Major Contributors, program and invitation, 1991 December 13
Box 3 Folder 15 Development and Fundraising, Events – Salute to Major Contributors, program, press kit and invitation, 1992 December 10
Box 3 Folder 16 Development and Fundraising, Events – Spring Benefit and Magic Award Winner Cecil D. Troy, photographs (2), 1992
Box 3 Folder 17 Development and Fundraising, Events – Unidentified event photographs (4), undated
Box 3 Folder 18 Outreach and Programs – African American Women in the Arts, conference program,1991 August 9-11
Box 3 Folder 19 Outreach and Programs –African-American Women in the Arts, photograph (1), [1991]
Box 3 Folder 20 Outreach and Programs – African American Women in the Arts, conference program, news clippings, 1992 August 14-16
Box 3 Folder 21 Outreach and Programs – African American Women in the Arts, conference program, 1993 August 27-28
Box 3 Folder 22 Outreach and Programs – Arts for Youth Empowerment, programs, flyers, 1992
Box 3 Folder 23 Outreach and Programs – Arts in Education programs, program, flyers, final report, 1992
Box 3 Folder 24 Outreach and Programs – Chicago on the Nile Program, flyers, schedules, study guides, 1992 June 29-August 14
Box 3 Folder 25 Outreach and Programs – Class information, 1989-1994, undated
Box 3 Folder 26 Outreach and Programs – Gallery Exhibits, promotional material, 1991
Box 3 Folder 27 Outreach and Programs – Gallery Exhibits, promotional material, 1992
Box 3 Folder 28 Outreach and Programs – Play Discovery/Development Initiative, brochure and script evaluation form, 1992
Box 3 Folder 29 Outreach and Programs – Volunteer Handbook, 1991
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