Code,991016
Subject,Annette Bailey
Date,7/3/2014
Interviewer,Willette Crawford
Abstract,"Annette Bailey has worked at the Karamu House since 1970, when she was hired in as secretary to the executive director. In this interview she recounts various productions that Karamu has put on over the years and her view on how things have changed over time. "
Tags,Karamu House
Special Notes,"0:30-3:00 beginning of conversation cut out, discussing contact information for someone.Talking/noise in background begins around 18:00 and continues throughout. "
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3,"Karamu needs support. It's time for a change, been here long enough to see how African Americans have been denied. Clearly see there is a racial problem."
4,"Time for Karamu House not to get small pieces, need to get big money."
5,Annette is director of operations for Karamu House. Was invited by a friend to come to interview for a secretary position.
6,"Received a phone call that they were interested, has been with Karamu since 1970. In 1970s, Fairfax had an office at Karamu. Executive director at the time was Kenneth Snipes and worked closely with Fairfax."
7,"Even after they moved, he remained involved with Fairfax. She was Snipes secretary. Had to get acclimated with environment, but it was exciting. Actresses and Actors would come see Snipes."
8,Had to learn how to know when she was talking to the person and when it was the character. Says her office is a stage for her. 
9,"More classical productions were put on in 1970s, over the years started to experiment with different types of productions. In `70s halls were filled everyday, change came when the busing started. "
10,There were less and less children coming to Karamu House. Have to change classes to what the people want. Was at Karamu when the Nationalists came in.
11,"Her and coworker went to lunch, came back and there was a flag at the gate. Came in and saw the people in their attire and were told it was a takeover. They threatened the workers, ran Caucasian workers down the hall and frightened them. "
12,Annette was threatened because she had straight hair and Afros were in style. They bullied those that could be bullied. Nationalists met with executive director 
13,"Continued to have performances, did business as they always did."
14,Was a safe-haven during the time. 
15,"At some point the administration wanted to change the formatting of the theater productions, Dr. Silver was asked to resign. "
16,In 1980s was decided to have a professional theater company. At that time if you hired an actor or dancer their salaries were paid.
17,"Looking back, theater company was start of a type of outreach program. Was dissolved in late 80s after the funding went away and it became a strain on the budget."
18,Funding has always been an issue. Received funding from United Way and were told this year they were no longer going to support Karamu
19,Puts a hole in the budget and have to find a way to put the money back somehow. Was problem even with the Jelliffes . Nonprofits always have funding problems.
20,"Have survived all these years, always ups and downs but have survived.Each leader brings something different. Had a renovation of the theater restrooms. "
21,"Before restrooms were designed for thin people, was exciting to have new restrooms put in. A fence was put in around property and new doors and windows were put on at one time."
22,Tries to see each production that is put on. Favorite is the Black Nativity. First time they had it the second act was different.
23,"One year it was like a gospel concert and different people would come in at points, then it changed to a church scene.Each person that directed Black Nativity changed the second act."
24,"It's usually done during the holidays. First act is about the birth of Christ, and it is a musical. The second act is in the church with the gospel music."
25,Is usually done with the songs of the year. Has also seen a production with Ron O`Neal. Was the first time they did something with nudity. 
26,Was called Dream on Lucky Mountain. Play was about a person changing from a young man into a grown person. Taking clothes off shed what was there to see the real person.
27,"People came just to see if the actor would really not have clothes on. People always get the names of productions wrong. Left sign up during one production that said blacks only for restrooms, and one little boy didn't know where to go to bathroom."
28,Was interesting play because it dealt with segregation. Always try to do productions relevant to the times.
29,Have to stay abreast of the times and be relevant. That's is what Karamu tries to do. It is exciting to be a part of Karamu's centennial celebration. 
30,Has always been a problem that people get their start there but then leave and never give back. Hopes the centennial will bring alumni back from all walks of life.
31,Dr. Reuben Silver was the artistic director.
32,"Mrs. Silver was his assistant and secretary. Annette got call asking for secretary for executive director which was her, but he wanted Mrs. Silver."
33,Jelliffe retired around time that Annette started. 
34,Was invited to participate in beginning of the Superfly movie and had viewing at a theater on corner of Shaker Blvd and Chagrin. 
35,"One of the Black Nativities were done by people from Broadway, did a fantastic job."
36,"Has never seen it done like that, was like you were in heaven. United Way has pulled all funding from Karamu house"
37,Annette feels reason is that they are funding the homeless and education instead. 
38,"Have also pulled funding from other area programs. Attended the Hall of Fame induction, program was well received by community."
39,"Hadn't done the program in a few years so had to come back big. Ivan Dixon, Chris and Lucia Columbi attended."
40,Ivan Dixon's wife accepted the award for him. Lucia's daughter and husband accepted her award.
41,"Margaret Ford Taylor was an administrator of Karamu house in late `80s. Lucia served as artistic director, Chris worked on Jazz station, Dixon was an alum"
42,Dixon went on to work on Hogan's Hero. Diane was an instructor for dance and choreographed some of the shows.
43,Attorney General Jones and his wife were coordinators of the event.
44,"Is always optimistic, have to have faith and believe things will happen. "
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