The Scitamard Players, the oldest Black theatre collective in New England, were a Black theatre collective based in Providence, RI from 1937 to 1977. This group laid the foundation for Black theatre movements in New England. In 1937, many founding members of the group starred in Catherine Robinson’s play “Blackmail.” The play was well-received by the community and Catherine Robinson along with other participants formed the Scitamard Players, to continue doing plays in the Providence community. Scitamard is the word dramatics backwards, and was the name chosen by Suzanne Lincoln, one of the groups’ founding members. Other founding members include Anne Brown, Clarence Clark, Abe Hill, Theodore Ford, Theodore Lincoln, Beatrice Coleman, James Mabray Sr., Steven Nellis, R. Sumner Robertson, McDonald Robinson, Frances Simms, Edward Turner, Constance Tunsel and Frederick Williamson, Sr.

The group was headed by an executive board elected by members of the group. They built their own sets, made their own costumes. They were primarily self-funded by club dues. The group did not have a physical location. They rehearsed in member’s homes. They also rehearsed in churches in exchange for free annual performances for the congregation. Despite numerous attempts to secure a physical location, including the formation of “Citizens for Scitamard” in 1974, a sub-group dedicated to finding the group a permanent home, the group disbanded in 1978 before they were able to secure a physical location.

While most of their shows were in Rhode Island, they toured around New England appearing in paid gigs in Boston, New Bedford, Worcester, Bridgeport and Stonington.

On February 20th and 23rd of 1962, the Scitamard players performed a twenty minute segment of their rendition of “A Raisin in the Sun” on WJAR TV Channel 10 prime-time. They were not paid for the gig, but did the gig for the exposure and prestige. There is a letter from Lorainne Hansbury dated February 14, 1962, in which she waives royalties on “A Raisin in the Sun” for the performance.

The Players were dedicated to the advancement and encouragement of the Little Theatre. They provided opportunities for acting experience and training. It also gave people experience in the areas of play production and the mechanics of theatre production. Through affiliation and experience with the Scitamard Players, members were offered opportunities to be in professional productions. Sylvia Soares, who was in the “Raisin in the Sun” production would go on to star in several television shows.

Plays: Vengeance - 1938 A Ready Made Family - 1939 Cry Havoc - 1942 On Strivers Row - 1942 Cradle Snatchers - June, 1946 Guest in the House - Dec, 1946 Ladies in Retirement- 1947 You Can't Take it with you - fall 1947 Personal Appearance - 1948 Summer and Smoke - 1955 The Curious Savage - 1956 Summer and Smoke -1957 Fantabulous -1957 (all-female production) Anna Lucasta - Nov 1959 Tiger Tiger Burning Bright - Nov 1961 A Raisin in the Sun - 1962 The Desperate Hours - 1963 Amen Corner - 1969 Happy Ending - March 1969 Day of Absence - March 1969 Five on the Black Hand Side - 1972 Ceremonies in Dark Old Men - 1975 Norman Is That You - 1978