We begin the harrowing and alarming story of "The Clansman," in Philadelphia. Although this play by the author Thomas W. Dixon is know as the progenitor to the 1915 D.W. Griffith film "Birth of the Nation," few are aware of its early controversial history,

The narrative begins in the streets outside the Walnut Street Theatre, as a large crowd of the city's Black citizens have gathered to protest the performance, and to demand that it be stopped.

(Please note: in all descriptions of Philadelphia's Walnut St. Theatre in the year 1906 - there is NO connection to the current management of the Walnut Street Theatre or the producers or organization of the modern company. All the events described in this episode took place long ago, in a different era, and should not be construed to represent the views of the present management of the building as it stands today.)

To se a blog post about the events in this episode, follow this link to our podcast's  web page: https://www.aithpodcast.com/blog/3000-negroes-riot/

On Sunday, June 29th,  from 10 to 11 AM, the author and podcaster Peter Schmitz will be appearing at the Brookline Books stall at the 2025 American Library Association annual conference and exhibition at the Philadelphia Convention Center. 

If you’re a librarian - or a fan of libraries - and are coming to the ALA in Philly this year, please be sure to stop by and say hello!

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"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!

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© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved.

℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz.

℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.