Barbara Ann Teer facts for kids
Barbara Ann Teer (born June 18, 1937 – died July 21, 2008) was an amazing American writer, producer, teacher, and actress. She was also a visionary who dreamed big for her community. In 1968, she started the National Black Theatre in Harlem, New York. This was the first theater complex in the U.S. that focused on Black arts and earned its own money.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Barbara Teer was born in East St. Louis, Illinois. Her parents, Fred L. and Lila B. Teer, were respected educators and community leaders. From a young age, Barbara showed great talent. She finished Lincoln High School in East St. Louis at just 15 years old.
At 19, she graduated with high honors from the University of Illinois. She earned a bachelor's degree in dance education. After college, she traveled to Europe to study dance. She learned from famous teachers like Antoine Decroaux in Paris and Mary Wigman in Berlin. Her sister, Frederika Teer, was also an important activist.
Career in Theatre and Dance
After her studies abroad, Teer moved to New York City. There, she became a professional dancer. She trained with well-known teachers like Alwin Nikolais and Syvilla Fort. She also toured with famous groups such as the Alvin Ailey Dance Company.
In 1961, Teer made her first appearance on Broadway. She was the dance captain in the musical Kwamina. This show even won a Tony award! She also acted in the movie version of Purlie Victorious.
After a knee injury in 1962, Teer changed her focus from dance to acting. She studied with great acting coaches like Sanford Meisner and Lloyd Richards. Teer became a very successful actress. She won many awards, including a Drama Desk Award and several Obie Awards. From 1961 to 1966, she performed on and off-Broadway, and also appeared in television and films.
A New Vision for Theatre
Barbara Teer became unhappy with the negative ways Black people were shown in many acting roles. She wanted to create something different. In 1963, she helped start The Group Theatre Workshop, which later became the Negro Ensemble Company.
Teer believed that Black artists needed their own spaces. In 1968, she wrote in The New York Times:
We must begin building cultural centers where we can enjoy being free, open and black, where we can find out how talented we really are, where we can be what we were born to be and not what we were brainwashed to be, where we can literally 'blow our minds' with blackness.
This powerful idea led her to create her own theatre.
Founding the National Black Theatre
.jpg)
In 1968, Barbara Teer decided to create a new kind of theatre. She wanted it to help change culture, inspire social change, and celebrate African-American history. She left her successful acting career to follow her dream. Her older sister, Fredrica, was an activist, and Barbara followed in her footsteps.
Teer founded the National Black Theatre (NBT). Its main goals were to help people feel strong, find freedom, discover truth, and train new artists and creative business owners. For over 50 years, Teer was a leader in celebrating African culture.
Unique Theatre Methods
Barbara Teer was a pioneer in Black theatre. She created a special method called "TEER: The Technology of Soul." This method was taught only at the National Black Theatre.
TEER Technology used symbols, traditions, and stories from real West African cultures. It changed how theatre was usually done. Instead of focusing on "self-conscious" art, it aimed for "God-conscious" art. This meant that artistic expression was based on audience participation, like the "call and response" style found in Black churches. This method helped artists and the audience connect more deeply. Teer called it a "Ritualistic Revival — theatre art that flows from the heart."
Training and Community
Throughout the 1970s, NBT was a great place for actors, singers, dancers, and musicians to train in Harlem and beyond. In 1974, Teer started the Children's School for the Development of Intuitive and God-Conscious Art (CSDIG).
As a new mother, she wanted a loving and supportive place for the children of NBT staff. This school allowed staff members to bring their children to work. It gave the children a valuable education.
Teer wrote, directed, and produced many plays and interactive shows. She believed that theatre and art could heal and support the Black community, and all people.
Owning Property and Power
Barbara Teer strongly believed that artists should also own businesses and property in their communities. She saw art and ownership as powerful ways to create social and political change.
Because of this belief, she bought a whole city block in Central Harlem. This property was on a main street at 125th Street and Fifth Avenue. The National Black Theatre became the developer for a large real estate project. This project created the first Black Theatre Arts Complex in the country that earned its own money.
Honors and Awards
For her many years of inspiring others and promoting culture, Barbara Teer received special honors. She was given an Honorary Doctorate of Law degree from the University of Rochester. She also received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree from the University of Southern Illinois.
Personal Life
Barbara Teer was married to actor Godfrey Cambridge from 1962 to 1965. Later, she had two children with Michael Adeyemi Lythcott: Michael F. "Omi" Lythcott and Barbara A. "Sade" Lythcott. Her daughter, Sade, later became the CEO of The National Black Theatre.
