 Asadata Dafora opened the field of concert dance to the black performers, but not until later in the century would Black American dancers begin to be recognised as serious and worthy performers in American concert dance.In 1939, Dafora appeared at the Ridgeway Theatre in White Plains, New York, as "Congo Witch Doctor" in Eugene O’Neill's play, "The Emperor Jones".The production starred Paul Robeson and cast some members of his African dance troupe, including Sakor Jar, Lamina Kor and Antiga.