Actress, educator. Outstanding actress of the academic theater, who moved to regional and professional stage and to television and films. The first African American to integrate the theater in Atlanta, Georgia. She also was a longtime educator in the Atlanta Public School System. Educated at Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University)(B.A. in English, 1942) and at the Atlanta University Summer Theater (credits in theater arts). She also studied at the University of California in Santa Barbara (UCSB). During the 1960's, Allen started to performed with numerous community and professional groups. Television appearances included "In the Heat of the Night," "I'll Fly Away," and "The Catalins." Film roles included Guyana Tragedy (as Sister Carmella), I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (as Mrs. Gurney), Mayflower Madam (as Attorney), Freedom Road (as Landlady), Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (as Caterer), The Boy King (as grandmother) and Madea's Family Reunion (as Aunt Ruby). For her contributions to the theater, she was recipient of the Bronze Jubilee Award (by WETV/Atlanta, 1979), the Ray Mciver Award (by the Just us Theater, Atlanta, 1993), and the Legacy Award by Jomandi Productions, Atlanta, 1993). She also was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Allen not only was an actor and educator, she was also wife for 67 years to Thaddius S. Allen, a mother, and a grandmother. She died at age 94.
Actress, educator. Outstanding actress of the academic theater, who moved to regional and professional stage and to television and films. The first African American to integrate the theater in Atlanta, Georgia. She also was a longtime educator in the Atlanta Public School System. Educated at Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University)(B.A. in English, 1942) and at the Atlanta University Summer Theater (credits in theater arts). She also studied at the University of California in Santa Barbara (UCSB). During the 1960's, Allen started to performed with numerous community and professional groups. Television appearances included "In the Heat of the Night," "I'll Fly Away," and "The Catalins." Film roles included Guyana Tragedy (as Sister Carmella), I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (as Mrs. Gurney), Mayflower Madam (as Attorney), Freedom Road (as Landlady), Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (as Caterer), The Boy King (as grandmother) and Madea's Family Reunion (as Aunt Ruby). For her contributions to the theater, she was recipient of the Bronze Jubilee Award (by WETV/Atlanta, 1979), the Ray Mciver Award (by the Just us Theater, Atlanta, 1993), and the Legacy Award by Jomandi Productions, Atlanta, 1993). She also was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Allen not only was an actor and educator, she was also wife for 67 years to Thaddius S. Allen, a mother, and a grandmother. She died at age 94.
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