Few theatre aficionados, even theatre historians, could come up with the names of many actresses known for serious dramatic roles before the 1950s brought Ruby Dee and other stars to the fore. The road to the professional dramatic stage was not easily traveled by Black actresses, but some did make the transition from minstrels and musicals to drama beginning at the turn of the century. For the most part even those who achieved significant critical acclaim were omitted from the annals of American theatre history.

In this first study specifically on early Black actresses, Jo...