Collection ID: SC 2
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Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Fletcher, Winona L.
Abstract:
This collection documents the activities of Dr. Winona Fletcher as Producing Director of the Indiana University Afro-American Arts Institute's 1986 revival of the Federal Theatre Project's 1939 production Prelude to Swing, entitled Prelude to Swing +50.
Extent:
3 document cases (1.05 linear feet), 519 Slides, 9 Audiocassettes, 9 Videocassettes (VHS), 1 video disc (DVD), 1 Videotape Reel, and 1 Audiotape Reel
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

Winona Fletcher collection, SC 2, Archives of African American Music and Culture, Indiana University, Bloomington.

Background

Biographical / Historical:

Dr. Winona Fletcher taught theatre and drama at Kentucky State College (later University) from 1951 to 1978 and at Indiana University from 1978 to 1994. From 1971-73, while on leave from Kentucky State, she came to IU to assist in the development of the Afro-American Studies Department. Dr. Fletcher has been very involved with a number of theatre organizations, most notably through her work with the Kennedy Center, her research and work with the American College Theatre Festival Lorraine Hansberry contest for new playwrights, and her research into the Negro units of the Federal Theatre Project of the 1930s. Some of the other theatre organizations with which she has been prominently associated include the American Theatre Association, the University & College Theatre Association, the National Association of Dramatic and Speech Arts, the Association for Theatre in Higher Education, the Black Theatre Network, and the National Conference of African American Theatre.

Dr. Fletcher also served as a theater educator, historian, and author as well as a civic and social leader in her community, sorority, and church. During her tenure at at Indiana University, Fletcher served as Producing Director for the Afro-American Arts Institute's 1986 revival of Prelude to Swing entitled Prelude to Swing +50.

Scope and Content:

This collection consists of 3 boxes of documents pertaining to Indiana University's Afro-American Arts Institute's Prelude to Swing +50, a revival of the Federal Theatre Project's 1939 production of Prelude to Swing. The collection includes materials related to Fletcher's research of the Federal Theatre Project, personal correspondence and notes related to the Afro-American Arts Institute, production notes related to the 1986 theatrical production of Prelude to Swing +50, and the 1987 television documentary aired by WTIU under the same name. Also included are two 3-ring binders of slides intended for use in Prelude to Swing +50; 9 audiocassettes of rehearsals, show cues, and a 1986 performance of Prelude to Swing +50 produced in Fort Wayne, IN; 9 videocassettes containing excerpts from the 1986 performance; and 1 DVD of the 1987 documentary.

The 1939 production of Prelude to Swing was directed by Malvina Fried with Carlton Moss and was first performed in Philadelphia. The musical revue featured dancers, a black chorus, and a swing orchestra.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Winona Fletcher to the AAAMC on 1993 June 25.
Processing information:

Processed by Levon Williams. Completed in 2010.

Arrangement:

Arranged in two series:

Series 1: Personal Papers
Series 2: Audiovisual Materials
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

Use of time-based media materials (audio and video) may require production of listening or viewing copies.

Access to streaming audio, moving image, and full resolution digital image materials may currently be restricted to researchers who can authenticate with an IU account or who are physically present on campus. Remote streaming to individual researchers may be allowed with the completion of applicable forms.

For further information about access to online audiovisual materials, contact AAAMC staff at aaamc@indiana.edu.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, including but not limited to the Indiana Public Records Act (5-14-3-2 et seq.). Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which Indiana University assumes no responsibility.

Copyright is retained by the creators/authors of items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. All requests for copying and publishing materials must be submitted in writing to the Archives of African American Music and Culture, and may require the written permission of the creator(s)/author(s) or donor(s).

PREFERRED CITATION:

Winona Fletcher collection, SC 2, Archives of African American Music and Culture, Indiana University, Bloomington.

CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
Smith Research Center, Rooms 180-181
2805 East 10th Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47408-2601, United States
CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
CONTACT:
812-855-8547
aaamc@indiana.edu