The Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives and Rare Book Library at Emory University in Atlanta, has announced that it has acquired the archives of playwright Douglas Turner Ward. In 1967, Ward was the co-founder of the Negro Ensemble Company at the St. Mark’s Playhouse in New York City. Since its founding the Negro Ensemble Company has produced more than 200 new plays and provided a theatrical home for more than 4,000 cast and crew members.
The collection includes manuscripts, correspondence, photographs, theater programs, and drafts of Ward’s creative works.
Pellom McDaniels III, curator of African American collections at the Rose Library, stated that “Douglas Turner Ward played a tremendous role in developing the actors and directors that came through the Negro Ensemble Company. We’re fortunate to have an extensive collection of his papers that includes scripts, correspondence, Negro Ensemble Company records, photographs and printed material.”
