Say We Are Here: Selections from the Verdell A. Burdine and Otto G. Rutherford Family Collection

Otto Rutherford in the Theater

Scene from "Queen Esther"

Photograph of Otto Rutherford in costume as the King of Persia for a “St. Philips Players” performance of “Queen Esther,” 1952.

Otto Rutherford is on the right.  Father Lee Owen Stone of St. Philip the Deacon Episcopal Parish is on the left.

"Little Foxes" cast information in program

Program, The Little Foxes by Lillian Hellman, Portland Civic Theatre 1948-49 season.

Otto Rutherford, whose role (as Cal) was his first for the Portland Civic Theatre, is introduced on page 5.

Oregonian article on Portland Black Repertory Theater

“Black Theater Hopes Success in Script,” Oregonian,February 15, 1979.

Otto Rutherford was an actor in the Portland Black Repertory Theater, which began at Portland State University in 1975.  The troupe included theater arts students and community members.

Members of the Portland Black Repertory Theater

Members of the Portland Black Repertory Theater, pictured in 1979.

L-R:  Rosemary Allen, Otto Rutherford, Ann Hall, Vernon Ambus, Kolleh Dura Suma.

"A Raisin in the Sun" program

Program, A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, 1978.

This play, directed by Rosemary Allen, was the third production of the PSU Black Cultural Affairs Board.  The performance troupe became the Portland Black Repertory Theater in 1979.

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