Black Theaters in the United States
Our first social media post in 2021 to celebrate black theater history is one saluting the first black theater company in America.
The African Grove Theatre was founded in 1821 in New York City by William Brown. I always wanted to find a way to recognize the first black theater or theater company in each state, but that task requires more time and research than I can be spend while also producing, writing, and working with writers.
Fortunately for me, I discovered that Gary Anderson of Black Theatre Matters had already done the work and published his own list here on his website. So, in order to acknowledge a black theater or theater company in each state that has one, I’ve listed some of those theaters below.
If a state has multiple companies I’ve listed the one that was Equity. If a state has multiple Equity companies, I’ve listed the one that I know the most about.
Do You Support Black Theater Companies?
If you live in as state that has one of these companies, please support them.
If your state has none, please consider starting one.
Okay, here’s my list:
- Alabama – Tuskegee Repertory Theatre
- Arizona – Black Theatre Troupe
- California – Lorraine Hansberry Theatre
- Colorado – The Source Theatre Company
- Florida. – West Coast Black Theatre Troupe
- Georgia – True Colors Theatre Company
- Illinois – Congo Square Theatre Company
- Louisiana – New Venture Theatre
- Maryland – Arena Players
- Michigan – Plowshares Theatre Company
- Minnesota – Penumbra Theatre
- Missouri – St. Louis Black Rep
- New Jersey – Crossroads Theatre Company
- New York – National Black Theatre
- North Carolina – North Carolina Black Repertory Company
- Ohio – Karamu House
- Oregon – Passinart Theatre Company
- Pennsylvania – New Freedom Theatre
- Rhode Island – Mixed Magic Theatre
- South Carolina – Art Forms & Theatre Concepts
- Tennessee – Hattiloo Theatre
- Texas – Jubilee Theatre
- Vermont – Jag Productions
- Virginia – Heritage Ensemble Theatre Company
- Washington – Hansberry Project
#SupportBlackTheaters
#RhymesOverBeatsTheaterCollective