Finding Aid of the Watts Writers' Workshop stories, lesson books, and other material
0177
Finding aid prepared by Rebecca Hirsch and Mandeep Condle
The processing of this collection and the creation of this finding aid was funded by the generous support of the National
Historic Publications and Records Commission.
USC Libraries Special Collections
Doheny Memorial Library 206
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, California, 90089-0189
213-740-5900
specol@usc.edu
2010
Title: Watts Writers' Workshop stories, lesson books, and other material
Collection number: 0177
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.5 Linear feet
1 box
Date (inclusive): 1966-1993
Abstract: The Watts Writers’ Workshop was founded in 1965 by Budd Schulberg. This collection contains clippings about the workshop and
works by Jimmie Sherman, one of the Workshop’s members.
creator:
Sherman, Jimmie L., (Jimmie Lee), b. 1944
Historical Note
The Watts Writers' Workshop (also known as the South Central Writers Workshop: Douglass House), was founded in 1965 by novelist
Budd Schulberg in the aftermath of the Watts Riots. Funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Workshop
was housed in the Douglass House, which served as a meeting space and housing for some of the workshop members. Jimmie Sherman
(b. 1941), was a workshop member. The Workshop still meets sporadically, while the Harlem-based Frederick Douglass Center
for the Creative Arts, the Workshop's Eastern offshoot, is a vibrant organization.
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder# or item name],Watts Writers' Workshop stories, lesson books, and other material, Collection no. 0177, Special
Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.
Conditions Governing Use
The collection contains published materials; researchers are reminded of the copyright restrictions imposed by publishers
on reusing their articles and parts of books. It is the responsibility of researchers to acquire permission from publishers
when reusing such materials. The copyright to unpublished materials belongs to the heirs of the writers. Permission to publish,
quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.
Conditions Governing Access
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access.
Scope and Content
This collection contains clippings and documents concerning the Watts Writers' Workshop. Included in the collection are Jimmie
Sherman's works "Reflections of a Nobody," a short story; "Ballad from the Sixties," a play with music; and "The Workin' Machine,"
a ballad; as well as Sherman's self-published language instruction materials.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Douglass House Foundation. -- Archives
Schulberg, Budd -- Archives
Sherman, Jimmie L., (Jimmie Lee), b. 1944 -- Archives
Watts Writers' Workshop. -- Archives
African American authors--California--Los Angeles--Archival resources
African American educators--California--Los Angeles--Archival resources
Authors, American--20th century--Archival resources
Bylaws (administrative records)
Clippings
Correspondence
Los Angeles (Calif.)--History--Archival resources
Manuscripts
Photographs
Box 1, Folder 1
"Eve" Ink drawing by the poet J.L. Sherman
August 1991
Box 1, Folder 2
By-laws of the Douglass House Foundation
Box 1, Folder 3
Correspondence, including a letter from Budd Schulberg to Jimmy Sherman
March 22, 1988
Box 1, Folder 4
Various papers: minutes, announcements
Box 1, Folder 6
"Reflections of a Nobody," by Jimmie Sherman
Box 1, Folder 7
Photocopies of photographs
Box 1, Folder 8
"The Workin' Machine," words by Jimmie Sherman, music by Steve Allen
Box 1, Folder 9
Studio Watts Workshop newsletters
1969
Box 1, Folder 10
"A Ballad from the Sixties," ("A Ballad from Watts" Revived) by J.L. Sherman
Box 1, Folder 11
"Sherman's Think Write" (Lesson Book 1)
Box 1, Folder 12
"Sherman's Principles of Emotionmatics" (Lesson Book 2)
Box 1, Folder 13
"Sherman's Theatrical Emotion Mastery" (Lesson Book 3)
Box 1, Folder 14
"Sherman' Director's Manual: Exercise Book for the Theatrical Director" (Lesson Book 4)
Box 1, Folder 15
Miscellaneous Photographs
