Oral history interview with Thelma Prince, 2009-2010

Biographical Note

Apollo Theater dancer

Scope and Contents

Background: born in New York City (b. 1914?); family emigrated from Virgin Islands; joined Apollo chorus line as dancer in 1935; describes struggles during Depression and memories of numerous Black entertainers, musicians, dancers- young Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr and mother "Baby," "Pigmeat" Markham, dancer Marion Coles- describes end of chorus girls during Apollo's transition from variety shows to r&b and soul acts; gigs as "shake dancer," seamstress; return to dancing with "Silver Belles" group in 1980s

Subjects

• African American dancers--Interviews.
• African American entertainers--Anecdotes.
• Apollo Theater (New York, N.Y. : 125th Street)
• Prince, Thelma--Interviews.
• Silver Belles (Dance group)
• Women dancers--United States--Interviews.
• Young, Jennella, interviewer.--http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators/ivr

Access Conditions

Copyright by the Trustees of Columbia University of the City of New York and the Apollo Theater Foundation, 2010 No commercial use to be made of any part of this interview without permission of Thelma Prince