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Maryat Lee (born Mary Attaway Lee; May 26, 1923 – September 18, 1989) was an American playwright and theatre director who made important contributions to post-World War II avant-garde theatre. She pioneered street theatre in Harlem, and later founded EcoTheater in West Virginia, a community based theater project.Early in her career, Lee wrote and produced plays in New York City, including the street play “DOPE!” While in New York she also formed the Soul and Latin Theater (SALT), and wrote plays centered around the lives of the actors in the group.In 1970 Lee moved to West Virginia and formed the community theater group EcoTheater in 1975. Beginning with local teenagers from the Governor’s Summer Youth Program, the rural theater group grew, and produced plays based on oral histories collected from the local community. Each performance of an EcoTheater play involved audience participation and discussion. With the assistance of the Humanities Foundation of West Virginia, guest scholars became a part of EcoTheater.

1. Maryat Lee's mother, Grace Dyer Lee

IDNO:
049804
Title:
Maryat Lee's mother, Grace Dyer Lee
Date:
undated
Description:
Maryat Lee (born Mary Attaway Lee; May 26, 1923 – September 18, 1989) was an American playwright and theatre director who made important contributions to post-World War II avant-garde theatre. She pioneered street theatre in Harlem, and later founded EcoTheater in West Virginia, a community based theater project.Early in her career, Lee wrote and produced plays in New York City, including the street play “DOPE!” While in New York she also formed the Soul and Latin Theater (SALT), and wrote plays centered around the lives of the actors in the group.In 1970 Lee moved to West Virginia and formed the community theater group EcoTheater in 1975. Beginning with local teenagers from the Governor’s Summer Youth Program, the rural theater group grew, and produced plays based on oral histories collected from the local community. Each performance of an EcoTheater play involved audience participation and discussion. With the assistance of the Humanities Foundation of West Virginia, guest scholars became a part of EcoTheater.
In the front row, from left to right, is Robert Menfee's son-in-law; Elizabeth Poulson; Robert Menfee; and Mrs. William Menfee.In the back row, from left to right, is Robert Menfee's youngest son; Robert Menfee's daughter; William Menfee; Mrs. Clark Menfee; and Clark Menfee, Robert Menfee's son.

2. Robert Menfree Family Portrait

IDNO:
051865
Title:
Robert Menfree Family Portrait
Date:
undated
Description:
In the front row, from left to right, is Robert Menfee's son-in-law; Elizabeth Poulson; Robert Menfee; and Mrs. William Menfee.In the back row, from left to right, is Robert Menfee's youngest son; Robert Menfee's daughter; William Menfee; Mrs. Clark Menfee; and Clark Menfee, Robert Menfee's son.
Four fashionably dressed Zinn family members are pictured together.

3. Relatives of Mrs. Earl R. Zinn

IDNO:
052015
Title:
Relatives of Mrs. Earl R. Zinn
Date:
undated
Description:
Four fashionably dressed Zinn family members are pictured together.
Mr. Nutter (left), Earl Parker (center) and Fred Nutter (right) stand in the background while Mrs. Nutter (front) holds the Nutter baby.

4. Nutter Family Portrait

IDNO:
052521
Title:
Nutter Family Portrait
Date:
undated
Description:
Mr. Nutter (left), Earl Parker (center) and Fred Nutter (right) stand in the background while Mrs. Nutter (front) holds the Nutter baby.
Walter (left) is pictured sitting with members of the Groves family.

5. Walter Dix Lewis with the Groves Family in Unidentified Location

IDNO:
052522
Title:
Walter Dix Lewis with the Groves Family in Unidentified Location
Date:
undated
Description:
Walter (left) is pictured sitting with members of the Groves family.
A man put his arms around his three daughters. On the right of him, his two sons sit on mules. These are likely relatives of the Lewis family.

6. Man and Children in Unidentified Location

IDNO:
052524
Title:
Man and Children in Unidentified Location
Date:
undated
Description:
A man put his arms around his three daughters. On the right of him, his two sons sit on mules. These are likely relatives of the Lewis family.