Harlem Arts Alliance "Behind-the-Scenes" FIVE EXPERT Workshops & Practicums
About this Event
IMPORTANT: This program includes multiple workshops and practicums held at different dates, times, and locations throughout Harlem. Please review the details for each workshop carefully before registering.
ALL EVENTS ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC
Harlem Arts Alliance Presents: BEHIND THE SCENES: WORKSHOPS & PRACTICUMS
Interested in a career behind the curtain? HAA’s Behind the Scenes Program offers FREE skills-building workshops paired with real-world practicums designed to introduce BIPOC and female talent (18+) to afoundational skills in a range of arts operations careers.
Led by accomplished industry professionals and community leaders, participants will gain practical knowledge, hands-on experience, and valuable professional connections in marketing, nonprofit operations, filmmaking, event producing and stage management, while exploring career paths that are often overlooked by those seeking to work in the arts.
Participants may register for up to TWO DIFFERENT workshop/practicum tracks. YOU CAN ONLY SIGN UP FOR ONE SPACE IN EACH TRACK.
Space is limited to 15 participants per track.
Participants who successfully complete a paired workshop and practicum will receive an honorarium and a complimentary one-year HAA membership, plus the opportunity to share their experience at an HAA Town Hall.
1. Behind the Curtain: An Introduction to Theatrical Marketing & Audience Development
With Aaliytha Stevens
Workshop Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2026 | 6:00 PM–8:00 PM
Location: The City College of New York; Shepard Hall, Room 350; 259 Convent Avenue
Campus Map: https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/about/campusmap
Practicum (Participants will Choose One):
• Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth Audience Engagement Activation Friday, June 19, 2026 | 4:00 PM–7:00 PM
• Harlem Pride Broadway Audience Activation Saturday, June 27, 2026 | 12:30 PM–3:00 PM
Description: Learn how Broadway and performing arts organizations attract, engage, and retain audiences through strategic marketing and audience development. Participants will explore audience outreach, community engagement, partnerships, and promotional campaigns before applying those concepts through a hands-on practicum at either Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth or Harlem Pride Broadway. Working alongside audience development professionals, participants will gain firsthand experience connecting audiences with culturally relevant programming and live events.
Expert: Aaliytha Stevens is a marketing and communications professional with more than 20 years of experience in live entertainment. Formerly Chief Operating Officer of SpotCo, she now leads Ashé Collective, a consulting practice specializing in audience development and operational strategy for Broadway productions and impact-driven organizations. Current clients include & Juliet and MJ The Musical.
2. Starting Strong: Nonprofit Operations & Leadership
With Curtis L. Archer
Workshop Date: Monday, June 22, 2026 | 6:00 PM–8:00 PM
Workshop Location: Harlem Community Development Corporation; 163 West 125th Street, 17th Floor
Practicum Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026 | 6:00 PM–8:00 PM
Practicum Location: Same as workshop
Description: Learn the fundamentals of forming and operating a nonprofit organization in New York City, including incorporation, 501(c)(3) status, governance, fundraising, compliance, and organizational management. Participants will then gain practical exposure to nonprofit operations through a hands-on practicum exploring leadership, strategic planning, community engagement, and the day-to-day functions that support mission-driven organizations.
Expert: Curtis L. Archer is a nationally respected community and economic development leader with more than 35 years of experience advancing neighborhood revitalization, small business growth, and equitable economic opportunity. From 2006 through March 2026, he served as President of the Harlem Community Development Corporation and now serves as Founder and Principal of Archer Strategic Consulting Group.
3. Documentary Filmmaking Workshop & Practicum
With Jamal Joseph
Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026 | 11:00 AM–5:00 PM
Location: TBD
Description: This one-day workshop and practicum combination introduces participants to the essential elements of documentary filmmaking, including story development, research, interviewing, camera operation, and production techniques. After a morning of instruction and discussion, participants will put their skills into practice by working in teams to capture documentary footage in the field. This immersive experience provides a unique opportunity to learn by doing while gaining firsthand experience in documentary storytelling and production.
Expert: Jamal Joseph is an Oscar and Grammy nominated writer, director, producer, educator, activist, and Executive Artistic Director of New Heritage Theatre Group. He is also a co-founder of New Heritage Films, which has produced more than 50 documentaries highlighting community history, culture, and social justice. A professor at Columbia University School of the Arts, Joseph has dedicated his career to empowering young people and preserving community stories through the arts.
4. Event Producing & Live Event Operations
With Marko Nobles
Workshop Date: TBD
Location: TBD
Practicum Date: TBD
Location: TBD
Description: Discover what it takes to produce large-scale cultural festivals and community events. Participants will explore planning, scheduling, budgeting, marketing, logistics, partnerships, and audience engagement, then gain practical exposure to the event production process through activities connected to HARLEM WEEK. Practicum experiences may include production meetings, site visits, logistical planning, scheduling, and other preparations supporting multiple events and stages across the festival.
Expert: Marko Nobles is a Harlem-born event producer, radio host, marketing strategist, and community leader with decades of experience creating and managing large-scale cultural events and community initiatives. A self-described “Child of HARLEM WEEK,” he has been involved with the festival for more than 40 years, serving in roles ranging from summer youth worker to Executive Director and currently Chairman of the HARLEM WEEK Board of Directors.
5. Calling the Show: Event Stage Management in Action
With Marko Nobles
Workshop Date: TBD
Location: TBD
Practicum Date: TBD
Location: TBD
Description: Learn the essential skills that help keep live events organized, on schedule, and running smoothly. Participants will explore stage management concepts such as production timelines, run-of-show development, artist coordination, communication, backstage operations, and event logistics. Through a practicum connected to HARLEM WEEK, participants may observe and assist with planning activities, production coordination, scheduling, site assessments, and other pre-event preparations that contribute to the successful management of multiple events and stages.
Expert: See Marko Nobles biography above.
Registration Information
Please include your ZIP code when registering.
West Harlem residents and individuals who work in West Harlem are especially encouraged to apply through HAA’s partnership with the West Harlem Development Corporation.
Questions? Contact [email protected].
This series is sponsored in part by the West Harlem Development Corporation, with additional support from the New York State Council on the Arts, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (Cultural Development Fund), and the Mosaic Network and Fund.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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