Transcript of a 9.85-hour interview completed under the auspices of the UCLA Oral History Program The interview begins with William's early life and continues through her career in theater, film and television and her involvement in the African American community in Los Angeles. Major topics discussed include Williams' involvement with Karamu House, her roles in theater and films, personal and professional experiences in the Soviet Union in the 1930's, and her political activism and efforts to promote racial equality in theater and in the motion picture industry The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley Frances Williams was born on September 17, 1905 in East Orange, New Jersey. She began acting as a young woman in Cleveland with the Gilpin Players, and--after spending time in Mexico, Europe and the Soviet Union--moved to Los Angeles in the early 1940's to to work in films and with the Negro Art Theater. She became a drama instructor in the 1970's, and opened the Frances Williams Corner Theater, with which she is still active Volume includes index The UCLA Oral History Program : catalog of the collection. 2nd ed. / compiled by Vimala Jayanti. (Los Angeles : Oral History Program, Dept. of Special Collections, University of California, Los Angeles, 1992); also: The UCLA Oral History Program : catalog of the collection. 2nd ed., supplement / compiled by Teresa Barnett. (Los Angeles : Oral History Program, Dept. of Special Collections, University of California, Los Angeles, 1996) are available in the UCLA Dept. of Special Collections Forms part of: Oral History collection, Dept. of Special Collections, University Library, University of California, Los Angeles