Vinnette Carroll (March 11 1922 – November 5 2002) was an American playwright, stage director, and actress who became the first African‑American woman to direct on Broadway. She earned a B.A. from Long Island University in 1944 and an M.A. from New York University in 1946 before shifting from clinical psychology to theatre studies. Carroll’s career spanned stage, film, and television, and she received both an Obie Award and an Emmy Award for her contributions to the performing arts.
Early Life and Education
Carroll was born in New York City and completed her undergraduate education at Long Island University, where she studied psychology. She continued graduate work at New York University, obtaining a master’s degree in 1946. During this period she also participated in student productions at the New School for Social Research, which later became part of New School University. After completing her studies, she left clinical practice to pursue theatre professionally.
Career
Carroll made her professional acting debut in 1948 and appeared on Broadway for the first time in 1957. In 1962 she received an Obie Award for her performance in Errol John’s *Moon on a Rainbow Shawl*. She founded the Urban Arts Corps in 1967, later renamed the Urban Arts Theater, to promote minority participation in theatre. Her directorial work included the 1972 Broadway hit gospel revue *Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope*, which she conceived and directed.
Achievements
Carroll’s first play, *Trumpets of the Lord* (1963), was a musical revue inspired by poet James Weldon Johnson. The Broadway production *Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope*, with music and lyrics by Micki Grant, earned four Tony Award nominations. Her 1976 adaptation *Your Arms Too Short to Box with God* also received four Tony nominations. As an actress she appeared in films such as *Up the Down Staircase* (1967) and *Alice’s Restaurant* (1969), and she was honored with an Emmy Award for her work on *Beyond the Blues* in 1964.
Personal Life
Carroll resided in New York City during the early stages of her career, later relocating to Florida where she passed away in Lauderhill in 2002. Her professional activities reflected a commitment to educational outreach and cultural enrichment for underrepresented communities. While specific details about her private life are limited, her public work demonstrates a lifelong dedication to the arts.
Legacy
Carroll’s pioneering role as an African‑American woman director on Broadway paved the way for future generations of minority theatre practitioners. The Urban Arts Theater continues to support diverse talent in theatrical production and education. Her award‑winning productions remain influential examples of gospel and musical theatre, underscoring her lasting impact on American stagecraft.