The Williams Dreamland Theatre is a theatre located in the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
History[]
In May 25th, 1921, Oscar Micheaux’s film Trust in the Law!, a silent movie about Bass Reeves, is released in the United States and first premiered at the Williams Dreamland Theater.
During the Tulsa Race Massacre in May 31st, 1921, the Dreamland Theatre was one of the places that community members gathered during the chaos to organize and develop a plan of action. Ultimately, the theatre was destroyed when 35 city blocks of Greenwood burned as a result of arson during the massacre. It was eventually rebuilt and continued to operate and serve the residents of Tulsa as a place for entertainment.[1]
Between September 18th, 2019, and September 27th, 2019, the Tulsa Society for Film and Entertainment hosted the Greenwood Historic District Film Festival at the Dreamland Theatre.
In 2019, an all-black production of the musical Oklahoma! premiered at the Dreamland Theatre.[1]
Trivia[]
- The Williams Dreamland Theatre served African American audiences and showed live musical and theatrical revues as well as silent films. It seated 750 and was operated by John and Loula Williams.