Hewlett, James

Hewlett, James (fl. early 19th century), actor. Possibly the first professional African‐American actor in America, he seems to have been a performer of modest merit, although his opportunities were few and his career was beset by prejudice, particularly at the hands of vociferous white hooligans. In 1821 he attempted Richard III with an all‐black cast. He later may have played either Othello or Iago with the same company. Both productions were interspersed with lighthearted songs and dances. In 1823 Hewlett assumed the title role in The Drama of King Shotaway, based on a West Indies insurrection and conceivably the first black play in American history. Thereafter, he seems to have confined his appearances to recitals devoted largely to imitations of famous white actors. An 1826 advertisement called him “the most astonishing phenomena of the age: a young man, who, notwithstanding the thousand obstacles which the circumstance of complexion must have thrown in his way of improvement, has, by the mere dint of natural genius and self‐strengthened assiduity, risen to a successful competition with some of the first actors of the day.” He was later billed as “ Shakespeare's proud Representative.” After a farewell benefit in 1831 he disappears from the records.