Theater / Dance
Geoffrey Holder (1980)
In addition to his interest in jazz music and musicians, Hugh Bell also photographed theatrical productions and actors. Most significant among these are “Summer and Smoke” (1952, starring Geraldine Page) at Circle in the Square Theatre and “The Blacks” (1961, featuring James Earl Jones, Roscoe Lee Brown, Cicely Tyson, and Maya Angelou) at the St. Marks Playhouse. In addition, Bell photographed the African-American theatrical impresario George C. Wolfe.
He focused his photography practice as well on figures from the dance world, including Geoffrey Holder, the Alvin Ailey Dance Company, and ballerinas.