Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation

MSS 16837, Helen Butler papers on Ernie McClintock, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia Library.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was a gift from Helen Butler (through Geno Brantley) to the Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia Library on 9 December 2023.

Biographical / Historical

Helen Butler, MFA Theatre Arts, was nurtured in the cauldron of narrative artmaking and social justice. Inspired by performance artist/activist, Vinnie Burrows, Helen began her career performing story through the lens of African American poetry. In more recent years she has been exploring the complementary movements of self-reflection and community engagement through fiber crafts and theatre, respectively. Her fiber pieces invite a release from the emotional bonds of modern living while the engagement theatre practice seeks to strengthen community ties by exploring narrative through audience participation.

Content Description

This collection contains the papers of Helen Butler, arts educator, actress, and writer, on Ernie McClintock, American director, teacher, and theatre artist. The collection contains professional correspondence, memos, pamphlets, brochures, flyers, reports, newsletters, clippings, obituaries, Articles of Incorporation of the Jazz Theater and the Afro-American Heritage Society, as well as By-Laws for Jazz theater, and a headshot of Ernie McClintock. Also included is an album of the Afro-American Studio, which consists of an essay by Barbara Lewis on the theater's history as well as fliers, clippings, and correspondence related to the Afro-American Studio.

Butler met McClintock in the mid-80s in New York. She became a performer in Jazz Actors Studio, National Black Theatre Festival, and Richmond Jazz Actors. She left New York in 1988, stayed in contact with him, and eventually moved to Richmond to continue to work with him. Butler remained close to McClintock until his death in 2003.

Related Material

This collection is related to the Ernie McClintock papers, MSS 16810.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• African American artists
• McClintock, Ernie
• Theater