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John William Isham (born 1866) was an American vaudeville impresario who was known for his ''Octoroons'' and ''Oriental America'' shows. These had their roots in traditional minstrel shows but included chorus girls, sketches and operas. They were part of the transition to the American burlesque shows of the early 20th century. ==Early years== John William Isham was born in Utica, New York in 1866. He had some African-American ancestry but was fair-skinned and often passed for white. When he entered show business he was therefore allowed to assume responsible positions in management and advertising. He worked for the Ryan & Robinson circus in the 1883–84 season in the advertising department. He then worked for the Sells Brothers (1885–86) and Barnum & Bailey (1886–88). Isham was employed as advance man for the ''Creole Burlesque Show'' by Sam T. Jack. The show, which ran from 1890 to 1897, was the first to present beautiful black women as chorus girls in place of the traditional all-male chorus. It has been called the first black burlesque show. It included original songs, sketches and comedy numbers by black artists. Isham played a role of growing importance in the ''Creole Burlesque Show''. In 1893 a writer in the ''Indianapolis Freeman'' said of Isham that he "has done more for the advancement of the colored race in all America than any other man since the day of its emancipation." 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「John William Isham」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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