In an article celebrating Richard Pryor’s national TV debut in 1964, “Juliette Whittaker of Carver Center” is name-checked for urging Pryor to “move into any and every stage he could find.”
Peoria
A digital companion to the biography Becoming Richard Pryor
National TV Debut For Peoria Entertainer
Date: 08/31/1964
Citation:
"National Television Debut Set for Peoria Entertainer," Peoria Journal Star, Aug. 31, 1964.
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1. Remembering a Natural Born Star
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Richard’s Partners on Stage: The Glow Girls
–c. 1951–The “Glow Girls” performed on a double bill with Richard on the gym steps at Blaine Sumner school in 1953.
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Children’s Theater of Carver Center
–3/15/55–A review of “Rumpelstiltskin,” Richard's first stage appearance.
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National TV Debut For Peoria Entertainer
–08/31/1964–Juliette Whittaker encouraged Pryor to “move into every and any stage he could find.”
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R. Pryor Launched in Movies
–9/9/1967–On the occasion of Richard's first film role, the Peoria Journal Star joined a conversation with his father
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Richard Pryor Returns To Peoria Stage
–03/09/1969–A benefit for the local Afro-American Black Peoples Federation brought Richard Pryor back to the Carver Center stage
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Deal With Teacher Gave Pryor First Audience
–12/26/82–Sixth-grade teacher Mrs. Yingst offered a stage of sorts to the young Richard
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Classmate Recalls Pryor’s School Days
–5/10/1985–Margaret Kelch witnessed Richard's struggles at school
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Matt Clark Recalls Richard’s Early Love for Performance
–12/18/2005–A portrait of the young Richard, courtesy of his childhood friend Matt Clark
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2. The Woman Who Mentored Richard and Others
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‘Hopalong Hamlet’ Will Ride At Carver
–1950s–Shakespeare's classic re-imagined by Whittaker in an original Carver Center Youth Theater production
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The Carver Center’s 10th Anniversary
–1954–Celebrating ten successful years, the Carver Center released a report on its progress.
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Children’s Theater of Carver Center
–3/15/55–A review of “Rumpelstiltskin,” Richard's first stage appearance.
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She Lends Many Talents to Corn Stock
–06/11/1957–A closer look at the Carver Center's resident playwright, director, stage manager, and set designer
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National TV Debut For Peoria Entertainer
–08/31/1964–Juliette Whittaker encouraged Pryor to “move into every and any stage he could find.”
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If You Shoot For The Moon…
–03/08/1981–An in-depth profile of the remarkable woman who first mentored Richard Pryor as an artist
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Whittaker’s Expressive Arts
–11/27/2002–“The artist part of me has always chosen a storytelling style,” explained Whittaker
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A Quiet Storm
–05/08/2007–At her funeral service in the Carver Community Center, Whittaker's gift for nurturing talent was fondly recalled
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Remembering Juliette
–2010–Juliette Whittaker was “my angel,” wrote Richard's childhood friend Matt Clark
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3. Onstage at the Carver Center
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Carver Center Is Dedicated
–12/11/1944–For its founders, the Carver Center promised to inaugurate “the postwar of tomorrow”
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Unveil Mural At Carver Center Today
–11/13/1949–“We must help each other” was the theme of the Carver Center's mural, “The Pursuit of Freedom”
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‘Hopalong Hamlet’ Will Ride At Carver
–1950s–Shakespeare's classic re-imagined by Whittaker in an original Carver Center Youth Theater production
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Red Feather Agency Builds Useful Life
–10/15/1952–The Carver Center was thriving in 1952 — and would-be juvenile delinquent “Bob” was proof
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The Carver Center’s 10th Anniversary
–1954–Celebrating ten successful years, the Carver Center released a report on its progress.
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A Gallery of the Carver Center’s First 10 Years
–1954–Modern dance and checkers, jazz and basketball — all were on tap at the Carver Center
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Children’s Theater of Carver Center
–3/15/55–A review of “Rumpelstiltskin,” Richard's first stage appearance.
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Carver Center Steps Toward Expansion
–08/21/56–Pryor's time onstage at Carver was the era of its greatest expansion
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She Lends Many Talents to Corn Stock
–06/11/1957–A closer look at the Carver Center's resident playwright, director, stage manager, and set designer
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270 Sign Up For Carter Program
–09/20/1957–The 1957 Center curriculum ranged from baton-twirling and canasta to scenery building and choir
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Carter Center Given ‘Once Over’ By Student
–10/20/1957–Reportage on the Carver Center, from the point of view of a suburban high schooler
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