Starting in the 1880s, Black performers and those invested in telling stories centering Black people attempted to counter the dehumanizing and harmful stereotypes created by white people to portray Black characters. Since theatrical performances are rarely recorded and many of the movies that featured all-Black casts are now considered “lost films” (films where no copies are known to survive), advertising posters are sometimes the only remaining evidence of important productions made with Black talent between the 1870s and the 1940s. The posters in this exhibition provide a guide for viewers as they consider how Black storytelling was transformed during its transition from stage to screen. Join curator Es-pranza Humphrey for this private, members-only tour of Act Black: Posters from Black American Stage & Screen and learn more about the innovative efforts of Black writers, directors, and actors to represent Black life and experience for Black audiences. Light refreshments will be served. Accessibility Note: Masks and clear masks are available free of charge at the museum. Assistive listening devices and stools are available. ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation or a CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) is also available upon request. Please contact access@posterhouse.org or (914) 295-2387 to request interpretation services and to address any other accessibility needs. For other event-related questions, please contact info@posterhouse.org.
