Big Plays in the Library Little Theater

The collective CLASSIX, through an exploration of Black performance history and dramatic works by Black writers, spotlights the 135th Street Library’s contributions to Black theater. Join us for an evening of staged reading of scenes from the first half of the 20th century as that were presented by the legendary The Krigwa Players in the 1920s, including "Her" by Eulalie Spence and "Blue Blood" by Georgia Douglas Johnson. Scenes from the plays "On Strivers Row" by Abram Hill and "Anna Lucasta" by Phillip Yordan, both produced by American Negro Theatre in the 1940s will also be featured. Following the readings, Dominique Rider, CLASSIX, will moderate a conversation with Voza Rivers, New Heritage Theatre, Arminda Thomas, CLASSIX, Shawn Rene Graham, Classical Theatre of Harlem, and Garlia Jones, Harlem 9, Blackboard Plays, the Black Motherhood and Parenting (BMP) Festival and others.

CAST

Bianca LaVerne Jones

Alicia Pilgrim

Sean Boyce Johnson

Brittany Bradford

Amara James Aja

Bjorn DuPaty

Dominique Rider, Director

A CENTURY OF BLACK THEATER MAKING SERIES

Beginning in the Harlem Renaissance, a series of Black theater companies emerged in New York City and were permitted to use the basement of the 135th St. Library (now the Schomburg Center) as their performance space. This practice continued through the mid 1940s. The American Negro Theatre, which is believed to be last company in residence at the 135th St. Library theater from 1940-1945, was one of the most influential Black theater companies of its time. The Schomburg Center’s new centennial program series, Century of Black Theater Making, explores a century of Black theater through conversations and readings of plays that are part of the Schomburg Center’s collection.

Accessibility requests can be made by e-mail [email protected].

CLASSIX is a series created to explode our understanding of the ‘classical’ canon through an exploration of Black performance history and dramatic works by Black writers. We define these classic works as plays by authors of African descent from around the world that speak profoundly to the times in which they were written and resonate deeply with our own. CLASSIX engages artists, historians, students, professors, producers and audiences to launch these plays into the public imagination and spark productions worldwide Learn more about CLASSIX by visiting www.theclassix.org.

DOMINIQUE RIDER (Director) is a Brooklyn-based director and writer whose work seeks to answer the question: “What is a world unmade by slavery?” while analyzing the layers of anti-blackness that maintain our world. Deploying theatre and performance as tools of Afropessimism, Dominique has developed and staged work with Ars Nova, Portland Center Stage, Portland Stage, The Bushwick Starr, The New Group, The Park Avenue Armory, and more. Past fellowships/residencies include Ars Nova, The Civilians R&D, The Atlantic, Hi-Arts, The National Black Theatre, TheaterWorks Hartford, NYSAF, BRIC Arts, Roundabout, and NAMT. Dominique is a creative producer with CLASSIX and a Kaleidoscope Dreams directing fellow.

Image: "Ruth Allerhand directing a choreography class with American Negro Theatre company members" Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Photographs and Prints Division, The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1945 - 1950. Image ID#1991311

This year, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its founding! Century of Black Theater Making, organized by Schomburg Center's Public Program team and Librarian A.J. Muhammad, will spotlight selected plays from the Schomburg’s rich archives, offering a living connection to the voices, stories, and styles that have shaped Black theater across generations. Join us all year long for a wide array of special events, exhibitions, and more as we celebrate this milestone and continue the legacy of Arturo Schomburg.

Schomburg100 | Exhibition | Special-Edition Library Card | Become a Member

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FIRST COME, FIRST SEATED Events are free and open to all, but due to space constraints registration is requested. Registered guests are given priority check-in 15 to 30 minutes before start time. After the event starts all registered seats are released regardless of registration, so we recommend that you arrive early. We generally overbook to ensure a full house.

GUESTS Please note that holding seats in the Langston Hughes Auditorium is strictly prohibited and there is no food or drinks allowed anywhere in the Schomburg Center.

ACCESSIBLILITY Accessibility requests can be made by e-mail [email protected].

E-TRANSPORTATION NYPL policy prohibits electric transportation devices (e.g., motorbikes, e-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards) from being brought into or stored at library sites for any length of time, as this is the best way to keep our spaces & people safe.

AUDIO/VIDEO RECORDING Programs are photographed and recorded by the Schomburg Center. Attending this event indicates your consent to being filmed/photographed and your consent to the use of your recorded image for any all purposes of the New York Public Library.

PRESS Please send all press inquiries (photo, video, interviews, audio-recording, etc) at least 24-hours before the day of the program to Leah Drayton at [email protected].

Please note that personal and professional video recordings are prohibited without expressed consent.

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Host or Publisher Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture