The Greensboro Dramatic Association1
(This transcribed article was published in 1908)
Nearly forty years ago—to be exact, in 1869—there existed in Greensboro an organization known as “The Greensboro Dramatic Association,” the object of which was “for the purpose of aiding the destitute of Greensboro and vicinity.”
From Old Southern University Stage in Greensboro, Alabama ca. 1930s, photographer Alex Bush (Library of Congress)
The Association gave dramatic exhibitions once a month, and the proceeds were devoted to charitable purposes. The first play enacted was entitled “Faint Heart Never Won Fair Lady,” and was a great success.
There were no lady members of the company, and the characters in the play that required ladies were taken by the men, who would dress in feminine attire. The Dramatic Association accomplished much good during its career. The following were the members, as gathered from the minutes:
L. J. Lawson, S. C. Carson, Henry Boardman, Alex H. Williams, W. P. Johnson, Henry H. Hooton, H. Humphries, Robert H. Jackson, John A. Peterson, John M. Gayle, Stawell W. Gillespie, Robert B. Monette, Charles T. Briggs, Charles E. Waller, Porter K. Carson, L. M. Osborn, Ed. Nutting and John Atkins. Dr. Simonds was the manager of the Company.
1Excerpt from HISTORY OF GREENSBORO, ALABAMA From Its Earliest Settlement by William Edward Wadsworth Yerby, Montgomery, Alabama
ALABAMA FOOTPRINTS Immigrants: A Collection of Lost & Forgotten Stories When independence from Britain was won in 1776, a great westward movement of Americans began. Historians refer to this movement west as the Great Migration. Though it was only a territory, Alabama’s population grew faster than any other state in the United States during the time.
ALABAMA FOOTPRINTS Immigrants includes some lost & forgotten stories of their experiences such as:
- The Birth of Twickenham
- Captain Slick – Fact or Fiction
- Vine & Olive Company
- The Death of Stooka
- President Monroe’s Surprise Visit To Huntsville
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Not surprised, Shakespeare had done the same. Why would anyone upset the status quo in Greensboro?