HAL SCOTT - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 08/13/1986 - HFSID 318537

HAL SCOTT
The groundbreaking director sends his publicity materials to Editor John Willis, appearing in a forthcoming edition of Theatre World
Autograph Letter signed: "Hal Scott", 1 page, 6¼x9. No place, August 13, 1986. To "Dear Mr. Willis", in full: "As per your request, please find enclosed a recent 8x10 head shot that you may use and retain for your files[items not included]. Thank you for the request, and I wish you continued success with your publications which provide an invaluable service. Sincerely." The legendary Hal Scott (1935-2006) was an American stage director, actor and teacher. Beginning himself as a student at Philips Exeter Academy and Harvard, Scott was a noted actor for his performances in Jean Genet's The Blacks and Deathwatch (1959) for which he won an Obie Award. Scott is the director of numerous plays, including The Mighty Gents (1978), Paul Robeson (1988 and again in 1995) and the 25th anniversary revival of A Raisin in the Sun, all of his plays featuring major Black actors such as Morgan Freeman, Avery Brooks and Esther Rolle. Scott taught and directed at the Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University. He is the first African American artistic director in the history of American Regional Theatre. Theatre World, founded in 1945 by Daniel Blum, is America's oldest annual record of Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theatre, referenced by industry professionals, historians, students and theatre fans worldwide. Until 1998, when a separate nonprofit corporation was established, Theatre World's editorial staff bestowed the prestigious Theatre World Awards for outstanding Broadway and Off-Broadway debuts. Screen World (from 1950) and Dance World (from 1966), administered from the same office, furnished comprehensive information on those entertainment genres. John A. Willis (1916-2010), active in Theatre World from the beginning, became its chief editor in 1965, holding that position until 2008. Willis is regarded as one of the foremost theatre and film historians of the 20th century. While producing (and presenting) the annual Theatre World Awards, Willis also served on the nominating committee for the Tony Awards. Theatre World, which received its own Tony for Excellence in Theatre in 2001, continues under chief editor Ben Hodges. Corners creased. Lightly toned. Otherwise, fine condition.