[HARLEM RENAISSANCE] -- [WINFIELD, O. Hemsley (1907-1934)]. The New Negro Art Theater handbill.

"The New Negro / Art Theatre / Presents / Hemsley Winfield / as / Salome' / By Oscar Wilde / Cherry Lane Playhouse." New York, [ca 1929]. 1p, approx. 5 1/4 x 10 1/2 in. Includes cast list and notes "Entire production under the direction of Mr. Winfield."

Osborne Hemsley Winfield is considered the first African American modern dancer, and a pioneer of "Negro concert dancing." He was a contemporary of Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, and Charles Weidman, and was active during the Harlem Renaissance. He first came to widespread prominence playing the role advertised here, that of Oscar Wilde's "Salome" playing at Greenwich Village's legendary "Cherry Lane Playhouse." Winfield founded the New Negro Art Theatre Group and was the first Black performer to receive a program credit for a named role in a Metropolitan Opera production. His dance company would become the first Black company to perform at the Met. Winfield's extraordinary career was cut tragically short when he died of pneumonia in 1934 at the age of 26.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.