| Abstract: |
Reuben and Dorothy Silver were active in Karamu House, a performing arts center and theater, founded in 1915 as an interracial
social settlement in Cleveland, Ohio. During their tenure, the Silvers were instrumental in presenting works by African American
authors such as Langston Hughes and LeRoi Jones, as well as classics from the American theater. Urban unrest in the community
surrounding Karamu and the growing popularity of the Black Arts Movement in the 1960s and 1970s forced a reconsideration of
Karamu's goals as they related to interracial theater. During this period, Karamu endured major personnel and financial crises.
The collection consists of audition notices, correspondence, index card notes for a dissertation on Karamu House, Karamu House
75th Anniversary materials, a program manuscript, magazines, newsletters, newspaper clippings, obituaries, play reviews, press
releases, theater and workshop programs, minutes, reports, cast and crew lists, play posters, program schedules, and memorabilia.
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