Carlotta Freeman (c. 1877 – June 11, 1954) was an American stage actress. She was one of the first African American women in the legitimate theatre.

Carlotta Freeman
Born
Carlotta Thomas

c. 1877
DiedJune 11, 1954(1954-06-11) (aged 77)
Occupationactor
Years active1905–1954
SpouseH. Lawrence Freeman

Biography

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Born Carlotta Thomas, she made her professional acting debut in 1905 and her first appearance on the New York stage in 1912. In 1915, she became one of the original members of the Anita Bush Stock Company (later called the Lafayette Players), one of the first black repertory theatre companies.[1][2]

She also starred in several operettas written by her husband, H. Lawrence Freeman, such as Voodoo which premiered in 1928.[3]

She died on June 11, 1954, in New York City,[3] just a few months after her husband.

References

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  1. ^ "Anita Bush Players". Seattle, Washington: BlackPast.org. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
  2. ^ Johnson, John H., ed. (April 1973). "Black women 'star' behind scenes in New York drama". Ebony. 28 (6). Chicago, Illinois: Johnson Publishing Company, Inc.: 106–107.
  3. ^ a b "The final curtain". The Billboard: 45. June 26, 1954.