Frank Silvera Writer's Workshop

06/17/2024

07/26/2021

Happy Birthday to our inspiration and namesake, the great Frank Silvera! We're doing our part to keep your flame, the flame you lit in so many of us, burning bright for all time!

We send our love to the entire Silvera Family too on this day of celebration of their great father, and his inspirational life and work! Thank you for sharing him with us all!

Many thanks as well to Director/Producer Neema Barnette and Black History Mini Docs for giving the world this wonderful portrait of one of our greatest talents of the 20th century, the man with a thousand faces, Frank Silvera!

Frank Silvera born on July 24, 1914 was a Jamaican-born Black character actor and theatrical director. Silvera was known throughout Hollywood as "the man with a thousand faces" because of his ability to play a wide array of roles. He appeared in more than 75 television shows and films mostly as a white man or a Mexican.

With his fair-skinned complexion, Silvera also portrayed a white man in his Broadway debut in a revival of Thornton Wilder's The Skin of Our Teeth, which earned him favorable reviews. In November 1955, he portrayed John Pope, Sr., the Italian father of Ben Gazzara and Anthony Franciosa's characters on Broadway in Michael V. Gazzo’s, A Hatful of Rain (a role portrayed by Lloyd Nolan on screen), and again was praised by critics.

Silvera made guest appearances in numerous television series, mainly dramas and westerns, including Playhouse 90, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Bat Masterson, Thriller, Riverboat, Rawhide, The Untouchables, Wanted: Dead or Alive, Daniel Boone, I Spy, Hawaii Five-O, Perry Mason and Bonanza. In 1962 he portrayed Dr. Koslenko in the classic The Twilight Zone episode "Person or Persons Unknown", opposite Richard Long. Silvera wasn’t cast in a black role until he financed his own theatre production of "The Amen Corner" written by James Baldwin.

died in an accident at home in on June 11, 1970. At the time, he was contracted for a recurring role in the NBC western series, The High Chaparral as the Mexican squire, Don Sebastian Montoya. His final film, Valdez Is Coming, was released posthumously, in 1971.

His legacy is left with the Frank Silvera Writer's Workshop Foundation, Inc., co-founded by Morgan Freeman to help Black playwrights achieve their goals. They received part of a $20 million grant from the Carnegie Foundation for their efforts. A World War II Navy Veteran, Silvera was buried with honors at Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, New York.

Photographic digital art:

06/03/2021

Happy Happy Birthday to our co-founder Morgan Freeman! You have always been a great inspiration to us at the FSWW, and so many more! We wouldn't be here today without you! Thank you for being who you are, sir!

Morgan Freeman has announced plans to share his followers’ experiences with racism on his social media platforms next week.

05/21/2021

We at the Frank Silvera Writers' Workshop mourn the passing of our sister, friend, colleague, and lifelong member of the FSWW family, Robbie McCauley. There at our beginning, she inspired us, and took us on great sojourns with her plays. She was a teacher of the highest order and we will always remember, and honor, her. We all learned so much from her. Now the angels will have THEIR chance. We are deeply saddened at her leaving us, yes, but so very grateful for her having been there with us for so long. We were the lucky ones all these years. Now heaven is lucky too. Rest in peace dear sister. Rest in peace.

05/10/2021

Catch it while you can!

Did you miss this year's 50in50: Shattering the Glass Ceiling?! Watch NOW on YouTube. Video available now- May 9th on The Billie's YouTube Channel! Link below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9uMSfZtmgs

05/08/2021

Please share or send it to anyone who might be interested. Thanks!

When: Wednesday, June 16th at 6:00pm, 2021 Who: Juneteenth Coalition & Forest Theater Guild present What: an Evening of Black Excellence in the Arts in tribute to the historic “Amateur Night” at Harlem’s Apollo Theater. Where: The Forest Theater, Santa Rita St & Mountain View Ave, Carmel-By-Th...

04/29/2021

Brooklyn's Billie Holiday Theatre presents the virtual premiere, featuring 50 stories from 50 Black women from around the world.

04/28/2021

You don't want to miss this!

04/28/2021

Come join us as The Billie presents BAM’s DanceAfrica free virtual community dance classes. These classes were created to celebrate West African dance, as we carry on the traditions and legacy of DanceAfrica founder, Baba Chuck Davis’ spirit of unity, peace, love and respect for everyone. We are honoring the 44th year of DanceAfrica and its impact in and on our community and the world.

No dance experience necessary and all ages are welcome! Come shine with us. Registration link below!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-billie-presents-bams-danceafrica-tickets-152429080483