John Trusty Gibson's Contribution To The Theater
John Trusty Gibson was born in 1878, In Baltimore, Maryland. Gibson moved to Philadelphia during the 1890’s looking for opportunities which he later found, he was one of the greatest entrepreneurs of his time. Gibson's area of focus was in the theater business, he was the owner, director, and producer, and contributed to black entertainment. He owned three theaters in Philadelphia. In 1918, he invested over a half a million dollars to finance The New Standard Theater, on South and 12th Street. This made Gibson the first black business in Philadelphia to make such a large property investment. The Standard Theater was the most successful of Gibson’s investments. The Theater brought in famous vanderville stars of all times, such as Bessie Smith,
the Whitman Sisters, Buck and Bubbles, Butter beans and Susie, George Wiltshire, and big names such as Ethel Waters, and the Nicholas Brothers. In 1921, Gibson opened the Dunbar Theater, which he later named after himself, The Gibson Theater, this made him the major black owner of all the theaters in the city of Philadelphia.
the Whitman Sisters, Buck and Bubbles, Butter beans and Susie, George Wiltshire, and big names such as Ethel Waters, and the Nicholas Brothers. In 1921, Gibson opened the Dunbar Theater, which he later named after himself, The Gibson Theater, this made him the major black owner of all the theaters in the city of Philadelphia.