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HARLEM 29 “A Stagehand’s story and the desegregation of an Industry”

 

8/18/2018-New York, NY: A book about one of Harlem’s native son’s made it’s New York début during Harlem Week 2018. It explores a time when racial barriers prevailed and Black American theater professionals were prevented from working downtown on “The Great White Way.” Twenty nine stagehands in Harlem were part of an auxiliary charted by the IATSE, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Local #1, that governed four Harlem theaters and dance Halls from 1937-1955.

 

Harlem 29 gives the reader a glimpse into a family’s history in the entertainment business that spans one hundred years. Marchand H. McReynolds comes to New York with ambitions of being in show business. He lands a job of a life time with the impresario, Lew Leslie of the famous Blackbird’s theater productions. Leslie offers him a job as a valet and Marchand works his way up to becoming the stage manager of Leslie’s productions. After touring in Europe for over a year, and returning to the United States he sees the need for an organized union that protects the rights of the Black Stagehands. He puts the wheels in motion which leads to a charter from the Stagehands Local # 1, IATSE in 1937.

 

The book explores the legislation which opened up fair practices for labor relations in America, specifically New York State. It includes the unfolding of events that shaped the time period, and reveals the Black Stagehands influence during the Harlem renaissance. The story is told from grandfather to granddaughter and it reveals the beauty and respect that can be garnered when intergenerations are paired. More importantly it is a telling expose of the history of the Black theater professional behind the stage. It uncovers an unknown movement that ensued for eighteen years in the entertainment industry, when people of color were banned from membership in the trades union.

 

Harlem 29 is an interesting story that promises to be a page turner.  Books can be purchased during Harlem week during the “Summer in the City” event, on August 18, 2018 and on www.Amazon.com for $14.95.