Overview James Loften Mitchell (1919–2001) was an American playwright and theatre historian who was part of the black American theatre movement of the 1960s. He was a Professor in the Department of Theater and the Department of African-American Studies, at the State University of New York at Binghamton, from 1971-1985. The Loften Mitchell papers includes playscripts, reviews, production notes, lecture notes, personal correspondence, and memorabilia.