Robert Levy
Robert Levy was an English-born early 20th century theatre manager and film producer. He was a Jewish man who dedicated his career to a vision of higher quality entertainment for African American audiences. His work includes twelve all black cast films and over one hundred stage plays with African American actors. He would use the work of black authors for the stage and the screen, helping to elevate public perception of black authorship.
Levy’s career in entertainment was initiated at the Éclair Film Company when he was 24 years old. On behalf of Quality Amusement he took on the role of general manager of Harlem based Lafayette Players Company. In 1916 Levy reorganized Lafayette Players, an all black actors theatre group, that involved from a first all black stock company started by Anita Bush in 1915, and focused repertoire on serious drama. Along with other pioneers of the era Robert Levy contributed to the cultural groundwork that would eventually grow into the Harlem Renaissance.
In 1921 Levy organized Lafayette Film Players and founded a studio Reol Productions Corporation. Over two years, he produced 12 nitrate-based silent films with a black cast. These race movies were based on the stories written by black writers and intended for African American viewers.
Black Actors
Members of the Lafayette Players included black stars such as Dooley Wilson, Abbie Mitchell, Edna Morton, Lawrence Chenault, and Evelyn Preer. They worked with Robert Levy on theatre and film projects. These collaborations resulted in high-quality productions that challenged the stereotypes by portraying blacks without prejudice and in dignified roles.
LAFAYETTe theatre
The Lafayette Theatre, known as "The House Beautiful", was one the most famous theaters in Harlem. Located at 132nd Street and 7th Avenue, the 1500-seat two-story theater became the first major theater to desegregate. The Lafayette Players became a group of some of the most accomplished black performers of the era.
reol productions
Reol Productions, a race film company, was founded by Robert Levy in 1921. Reol was at the vanguard of black cinema, promoting an idea of high-class black productions, starring some of the biggest black performers of the time, and adapting works of African American and white authors for the screen. Over the course of two years (1921 -1922), Reol produced eight silent features, two shorts, and two documentaries.