McClendon, Rosalie (1884–1936)
McClendon, Rosalie (1884–1936)
African-American actress. Name variations: Rose McClendon. Born Rosalie Virginia Scott, Aug 27, 1884, in Greenville, North Carolina; died of pneumonia, 1936; dau. of Sandy Scott and Tena (Jenkins) Scott; grew up in New York City; received a scholarship to study at American Academy of Dramatic Art, 1916; m. Dr. Henry Pruden McClendon (chiropractor and Pullman porter), 1904.
Stage actress who combined wide-ranging theatrical talents with a desire to promote and advance black theater during the Harlem Renaissance; following marriage, spent next 10 years engaged in church work (1904–14); cast in 1st serious role in play Justice (1919); achieved critical acclaim for role in Deep River (1926); appeared in nearly every important African-American play staged in NY (1926–mid-1930s), including In Abraham's Bosom (1926), Porgy (1927), The House of Connelly (1931), Never No More (1932), Black Souls (1932), Brainsweat (1934), Roll Sweet Chariot (1934) and Mulatto (1935); began directing plays at Negro Experimental Theater in NY (early 1930s); with Dick Campbell, organized Negro People's Theater in Harlem (1935); fell ill with pleurisy (1935).
See also Women in World History.