Dreamy Kid - A Play: Zara Cully Brown

I love seeing the different articles talking about Zara Cully Brown. Every article and every new information I come across helps build and develop the story of my Great Aunt. I only knew her for the first part of my life, as she passed away when I was 10 years old. She was, I believe one of my mother's favorite Aunties. Zara is well known for the Jefferson's but I am finding it fulfilling to see how her career developed over time as she didn't make it big in Hollywood until she was a senior. It is a testament to me that it is never too late to live your dreams.

Los Angeles Sentinel
June 6, 1957
Page B10

FIRST NIGHTERS gather back stage to congratulate cast of "Dreamy Kid," now on stage at Hollywood Center theatre.  Shown left to right: Clarence Muse, Hari Rhodes, who played title role, Isabelle Colley played his girl friend, Bill Walker, Pauline Myers who was Ceely Ann and Helen Highes holding hand of Zara Cully Brown, who played the Dreamy Kid's grandmother.  Play was directed by James Edwards.

Sentinel Photo by Cliff Hall 

I had heard of Clarence Muse, so I decided to Google him. I also met one of his descendants online doing research a few years ago.

Wikipedia:  Clarence Muse (October 14, 1889 – October 13, 1979) was an actor, screenwriter, director, composer, and lawyer. He was inducted in the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1973. Muse was the first African American to "star" in a film. He acted for more than sixty years, and appeared in more than 150 movies.

Madame Zara Cully Brown: A Dramatic Reader

Zara Cully Brown
Photo in Private Family Collection

My Great Aunt Zara Cully Brown, who was born January 26, 1892 in Worcester, Massachusetts enjoyed performing at a very young age.  Her whole family was also very talented.  Zara's sister Agnes Cully Peters (my grandmother) and my mother Betty Mae Peters moved to Los Angeles so that Aunt Zara could pursue her career in acting.  At the time, Zara was living in my grandmother's apartment in New York with her husbands brother "Unkie" who also moved with to Los Angeles.

Over time I have found mentions of Zara and will be posting these over time to get a full picture of some of the activities that she was a participant in.  

Los Angeles Sentinel
May 28, 1953
Page A4

[Transcribed]

Neighborhood Guild Presents Musical Treat

The Progressive Guild presented the Neighborhood Church orchestra in an evening of music May 24, in the church sanctuary, 47th place and San Pedro

Artists featured on the program included "Madame Zara Cully Brown," dramatic reader formerly of Jacksonville, Fla; Milton R. hall, flutist; Dr. H. Hamilton Williams, at the piano and Mrs. Minnette Finnis, soloist.

The orchestra played renditions of their own arrangements.