Oregon Advance Times_1968-03-21

Page 6 The Oregon Advance/TIMES March 21, 1968 Meet ARare Bird ABlack A.ctress "Lynn Hamilton, Actress. That is who I am - and it's what I always wanted to be." That is what the actress said when interviewed back– stage at Portland State Lynn Hamilton College where she had just finished her last performance with the American Theater Co. The night's vehicle, "Neighbors," had been the world premiere of Arkady Leokum"s play. George Hen– drix, a young Portlander, played the leading role. Miss Hamilton appeared as his wife while Gay Mathis and Rich Scheeland were the white couple intending to sell their home in a good neigh– borhood, to Negroes. Under Frank Farmer's direction, the cast developed the theme that racism, white or black, is an ugly thing. Answering questions about her career, Miss Hamilton continued, ''I joined my high school dramatics club back in Chicago Heights, lll. My family still lives there. It took me a whole year of sweeping the stage, painting the scenery, and making cos– tumes before I realized there would never be any roles for a black actress on that stage. I quit and began saving my money. I knew I had talent but would need the best train– ing available to succeed. "Luckily for me, the Good– man Theater, which is the best dramatics school in this country, is in Chicago: A school by day and a theater at night. It was two years before there was a role for me, a black actress. I acted outside of the school at night with The Skylark Players." At this point, Miss Hamil– ton suddenly became a bit embarrassed and protested. "l didn't mean for this to be a biography. I just wanted it understood that this is a tough business. To suc– ceed one has to be willing to work, and work hard." "I starved the first two years after graduation, work– ing at everything but acting in New York. I got my first part in a small off-Broadway revival of Anna Lucasta. It was a poor production but ran long enough for me to get my Equity card.'' That small part, coupled with good reviews, began a career that now includes four Broadway plays, five off– Broadway shows, three years with the New York Shakes– peare Festival and the first world tour with Helen Hayes, under the auspices of the U. S. Government's Cultural Exchange Program. A rare bird indeed, a working black actress, Miss Hamilton is an accomplished professional. She has worked in radio, motion pictures and television. She leaves Port– land to join the Seattle Repertory Theater where she will appear in "Three Penny Opera" and do a role in "The Rivals.'' In 1966, the Seattle Repertory imported Miss Hamilton to play the female lead in Moliere's comedy, "Tartuffe.'' A charming, open and vi– vacious person, Miss Hamil– ton laughed when we asked her about Hollywood. "I'm a black actress with a classical background and they don't know what to do with me down there.'' Volunteer To Teach Sewing Technique Mrs. Lizzie Sheppard is recruiting ladies to learn a new sewing technique for the new stretch, knit and syn– thetic fabrics. A special vol– unteer from the Council of Churches will teach these easy and exciting methods with "wonder materials" to women interested in making slacks, shirts, skirts, ski pants, sweaters, knit tops and swim suits for the entire family. The Albina Neighborhood Service Center is offering the course, which can accommo– date 30 to SO ladies in the four-session series. The first class will meet April 5 at 7:30 p.m. at 5744 N. E. Cleveland Ave. Adoptions Q. How much red tape is there in adoptions? A. Many people make a point of telling us they are surprised at how little red tape there is. We at the Boys and Girls Aid Society are as anxious as our aP– plicants to cut out red tape. as our job is to place chil– dren with loving parents as fast as possible. A SOLID HOUR OF SOLID NEWS IN COLOR 5:30•6:3D Ro11 Marie Scott Ron Magers Dick Ross anchors a nightly 60- minute local and regional news– cast, reported by the KGW-TV news staff, largest in the Pacific Northwest. For latest news, weather, sports and commen– tary, tune NEWS BEAT. ir······.. ......,...:.,· .. ·:•·:ir:Jj\i Doug LaMear Linda Royer Forest Amsden FOLLOWED BY HUNTLEY, BRINKLEY 6:30•7:DD FRANK McGEE REPORTS SATURDAYS ·B Waiting for copies of The Oregon Advance Times which will be distributed to residents of the Albina area are six happy carriers. From the left are Johnny Gill Larry Clark, Virgis Roberts, Donald Clark, Tommy Wilbur; James Cooper. Fun, Betterment Aim of Emeralds The Emeralds, a group of · Mabel Jenkins, treasurer: about 40 Albina area young Annie Lewis, secretary; Cecil people, has been conducting Hatchett, sergeant-at-arms. money-raising dances, a car The Emeralds meet each wash and other activities. Thursday. Life without industry is guilt, and industry without art is brutality. Alameda Theatre • 3000 N.E. Alberta 284-9448 Tom LoughIIn Born Losers • Adam Rourke Hell's Angels Admission: s100.75c-5oc • Fri. - Sat. 7 p.m. Sat. & Sun. Matinee 12:45 When first started last fall it took part in a clean- up campaign aimed at making Albina more attractive. Its officers say it is continuing with the aim of providing fun for the members and improve– ment for the community. ~~~.-...._..~~~ ... ~~~ ... ~ ... , : THE SPORTSMEN Present f . Sam Redditt is sponsor of the Emeralds. Officers are: Lesley Dennis, president: Brenda Brown, vice president; t 'A SPRING DANCE' t f March 30 l O p.m. - 2 a.m. f t Cabaret t A At the Silver Skate N. E. 102nd & Halsey f , Donation $2.00 Tickets available at this Newspaper l ~ .......................................... ~ Royal Esquire Club of Portland Inc. Presents Men's Fashions for 1968 Featuring.:. 10 Best Dressed Men of Portland also 10 Most Eligible Bachelors of Portland ROARING 20's Sun. March 31, 1968 5-9 p.m. Music by Horace (BABE) Williams