Harlem Repertory Theatre
| Harlem Repertory Theatre | |
|---|---|
| Founded | Summer 2004 |
| Founder/Artistic Director | Keith Lee Grant |
| Business Manager | Kyria Geneva |
| Assistant Choreographer | Mabel Gomez |
| Social Media Coordinator | Eric Myles |
| Marketing Director/Media Production | Edward Corcino |
| Resident Theatre | Tato Laviera Theatre |
| Location | 240 E 123rd St, New York, NY |
| Years Active | 2004 - |
| No. of Seasons | 17 |
| No. of Productions | 31 |
The Harlem Repertory Theatre was founded in 2004 by Keith Lee Grant, who serves as the Artistic Director of the Company. It is a non-profit theatre group which explores diverse and challenging themes such as race, class, and politics. Most of the actors are people of color from the New York area. It was established to fulfill Langston Hughes’ 1938 vision for a professional theatre in Harlem. Its first season in Aaron Davis Hall at the City College campus were the Broadway musicals HAIR, THE WIZ, and a new musical piece called VODU. Subsequent seasons included an eclectic range of musicals, plays and a Shakespeare comedy.
Mission Statement[]
"The Harlem Repertory Theatre is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) theater committed to producing artistically and intellectually challenging productions that explore the experiences of a diverse range of ethnic, social and cultural communities. Moreover, The HRT stages new works and established classic musicals and plays from bold and innovative perspectives that will challenge and/or reflect the Harlem community's cultural and social values. Critical themes of race, class and politics will often be addressed in our productions as we hope to inspire, entertain and educate our audiences through the diverse repertory of popular and obscure plays and musicals that we stage each season."
The HRT staff is committed to offering first-rate and affordable theatrical performances to the greater Tri State area; consequently when it is possible — the admission fees to our productions will range from a ten-dollar suggested donation to requesting that our patrons simply, "pay what you can".
In conclusion, The HRT is committed to fulfilling Langston Hughes’ 1938 vision for a professional theatre in Harlem:
"...On the opening night... a beaming Langston renew(ed) his promise of a Harlem repertory theatre: 'We want to build a theatre for you folks, a theatre for which you may write, in which you may act. This is your theatre.' "
Langston Hughes April 21, 1938'[1]
Current Season[]
The current 2017-2018 season consists of 6 shows, all which reflect the theater's mission statement to bring diverse perspectives to the stage.[2]
- The Wizard of Oz by Harold Arlen and EY Harburg
- A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
- In the Heights by Lin Manuel Miranda
- Jamaica (musical) by E.Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy
- The Colored Museum by George C. Wolfe
- Sweet Charity by Neil Simon
Past Seasons[]
HRT has produced 31 shows since its founding.[3] They are as follows:
Summer 2004[]
- The Wiz by William F. Brown (writer) and Charlie Smalls
- Hair by James Rado and Gerome Ragni
- Vodu by George Tilson
Summer 2005[]
- Once on This Island by Lynn Ahrens
- Cabaret by Joe Masteroff
- For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf by Ntozake Shange
Summer 2006[]
Summer/Fall 2007[]
- Finian's Rainbow by E.Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy
- Tambourines to Glory by Langston Hughes
Summer 2008[]
- Ain't Misbehavin' by Richard Maltby Jr. and Murray Horwitz
- Tambourines to Glory by Langston Hughes
- As You Like It by William Shakespeare
Summer 2009 and Winter 2010[]
- Flahooley by E.Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy
- The Wiz by William F. Brown (writer) and Charlie Smalls
Fall 2012 and Winter 2013[]
- Dreamgirls by Tom Eyen
Fall/Winter 2013/2014[]
- Finian's Rainbow by E.Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy
- Flahooley by E.Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy
- For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf by Ntozake Shange
Fall/Winter 2014/2015[]
- West Side Story by Arthur Laurents
- Tambourines to Glory by Langston Hughes
- The Wiz by William F. Brown (writer) and Charlie Smalls
2016/2017[]
- In The Heights by Lin Manuel Miranda
- A Raisin In The Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
- Ain't Misbehavin' by Richard Maltby Jr. and Murray Horwitz
- The Wizard of Oz (1987 musical) by L. Frank Baum
- A Harlem Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens adapted by the Harlem Repertory Theatre
Resident Acting Company[]
The Harlem Repertory Theater employs a Resident Acting Company, composed of thirteen actors of color from the Harlem, NY area. These actors portray the principal roles in the Harlem Repertory Theater's season. Because of the theater's commitment to creating theater for their community, most of the actors are native to the New York City area.
The 2016-2017 Resident Acting Company[4] includes:
- AJ Acevedo
- Isaac Antonio
- Barbably
- Mario C. Brown
- Vanessa Cotto
- Paula Galloway
- Kyria Geneva
- Mabel Gomez
- Roberto A. Guzman, Jr.
- Vincent Hale
- Amanda Hargrove
- Wilyuly Lopez
- Yesenia Ortiz
- Derrick Montalvo
- Eric LeRoy Miles
- Natalia Peguero
- Daniel Fergus Tamulonis
Reception[]
Reviews[]
Overall, the company has received positive reviews, most notably towards its musical productions. Daniel M. Gold of the New York Times reviewed Flahooley, stating that "the Harlem Repertory Theater demonstrates how to entertain on a shoestring" and under Grant's direction, "has been trimmed to a 90-minute burst of energy and imagination."[5] Linda Armstrong of the New York Amsterdam News called both Flahooley and Finian's Rainbow "marvelous theater performed in an intimate setting," urging other to attend the production as well. She praised Grant, admiring how he "allows the performers of the Harlem Repertory Theatre to display their versatility, as cast members play multiple roles in the productions. " [6]
Awards and Nominations[]
Since 2008, the Harlem Repertory Theatre has received five AUDELCO "Viv" Awards.[7] Currently, its revival of In the Heights is nominated for "Best Revival."[8]
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | AUDELCO "Viv" Awards | Best Musical Production | Ain't Misbehavin' | Nominated |
| Best Director of a Musical | Keith Lee Grant | Nominated | ||
| Best Performer in a Musical | Alexandra Bernard | Nominated | ||
| Danyel Fulton | ||||
| Michael J | ||||
| Best Choreographer of a Musical | Keith Lee Grant | Nominated | ||
| 2009 | Best Musical Production | The Wiz | Nominated | |
| Best Director of a Musical | Keith Lee Grant | Won | ||
| Best Performer in a Musical | Alexandra Bernard | Nominated | ||
| Danyel Fulton | ||||
| Michael J | ||||
| Best Choreographer of a Musical | Keith Lee Grant | Won | ||
| 2012 | Musical Production of the Year | DREAMGIRLS | Won | |
| Best Director of a Musical | Keith Lee Grant | Won | ||
| Outstanding Performance in a Musical - Female | Dion Millington | Won | ||
| Outstanding Performance in a Musical - Male | Oscar Aguirre | Nominated | ||
| Best Musical Director | Andrew Arango | Nominated | ||
| 2015 | Best Revival | In the Heights | Nominated |
References[]
- ^ "About - Harlem Repertory Theatre". Harlem Repertory Theater.
- ^ "Harlem Repertory Theatre Current Season". Harlem Repertory Theater.
- ^ "Past Season". Harlem Repertory Theater.
- ^ "Resident Acting Company". Harlem Repertory Theater.
- ^ "Doll as Foil for Corporate Ills". Harlem Repertory Theatre. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
- ^ "Harlem Repertory Theatre offers fantastic double bill". Harlem Repertory Theatre. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
- ^ "Reviews and Awards". Harlem Repertory Theatre. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
- ^ "2016 Nominees". Audience Development Committee, Inc. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
- Theatres in New York City
- African-American theatre companies
- 2004 establishments in New York City
- Harlem