Century of Black Theater Making | Hidden Figures Recentered

In celebration of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture's centennial milestone, National Black Theatre will present a special one-day event featuring six multidisciplinary micro-commissions that uplift the voices and legacies of Black women theatermakers. Drawing from the Schomburg’s expansive archives, each commission will creatively reimagine and respond to the work of a prolific Black woman creator through performance, sound, visual media, and storytelling—illuminating their enduring impact and cultural contribution.

Gertrude Jeannette Commissioned artist: Regina Taylor

Carmen De Levallade Commissioned artist: Francesca Harper

Micki Grant Commissioned artist: Eisa Davis

Pearl Bailey Commissioned artist: Crystal Lucas Perry

Ruby Dee Commissioned artist: Lynn Nottage

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

National Black Theatre (NBT) is a commissioning and producing theatrical home for Black artists that generates catalytic experiences to uplift the African American cultural identity by amplifying intersectional stories of Black life. Founded in 1968 by Dr. Barbara Ann Teer, an award-winning performer, director, visionary entrepreneur, and champion of the Black Arts Movement, NBT has a ground-breaking legacy: as the country’s first revenue-generating Black art complex, the longest continually run Black theater in New York City, and one of the oldest theaters founded and consistently operated by a woman of color in the nation. Learn more at nationalblacktheatre.org.

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.

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.

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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