Our mission matters... to ignite the artistic freedom of performing artists of the Global Majority (85% of the global population) who dare to create new artistic works, new ideas, and a new world in which ALL people can flourish.
Due to persistent and longstanding inequitable systems and structures, artists and institutions of the Global Majority remain the underinvested communities of the 21st century and yet...
Harlem Stage is forged in a crucible of a creative fire whose flames and embers may waver, still — undeterred by overwhelming odds — we will continue to be a conduit for freedom, a lens to focus the issues of our time, and a light to illuminate any darkness.
Dr. Indira Etwaroo | CEO & Artistic Director | Harlem Stage
Playwrights’ Playground
Monday, January 27 at 7pm ET I Harlem Stage
Running Time: 90 mins
In this dynamic evening of new theatrical perspectives, emerging playwrights share their works-in-progress with a live audience. Scenes are read aloud by actors who are cast from the audience and, following each reading, a moderated feedback session encourages open dialogue, allowing playwrights to refine their visions and audiences to actively shape the evolution of exciting new work. Playwrights’ Playground offers a rare chance to witness the earliest stages of creation, support undiscovered talent, and help nurture the stories that will become tomorrow’s classics. Join us and play a vital role in theatre’s next chapter.
Crescent City Rebirth
by Monique Pappas-Williams
Monique Pappas-Williams hails from the vibrant city of New Orleans. Alongside her passion for writing, she has an array of credits spanning television, film, and theater. Notably, her work The Mural secured a coveted slot at the esteemed Fire This Time Festival 2024. Moreover, her play Crescent City Rebirth premiered at the Theater for the New City’s Dream Up Festival and won a spot in the National Black Theater’s 2024 I Am Soul Series. A short film she penned and produced, Game Night, was honored at the 2020 New York Lift-Off Film Festival. In addition, her creative piece premiered as part of a collaborative effort at the renowned Off-Broadway Billie Holiday Theater’s 2020 Love in the Time of Corona. Monique holds an MFA from Brooklyn College and is proudly affiliated with AEA and SAG.
Skirt
by Craig T. Williams
Harlem born and Bronx raised, Craig T. Williams is a writer and producer at Red Wall Productions, a film production company he founded over twenty years ago with his wife and partner of 23 years, Rosalyn Coleman Williams. Together, they have created over 50 film projects, including features, documentaries, and narrative short films. His journey landed him his first staff writing job on the hit TV show Terror Lake Drive on ALLBLK, an AMC Streamer. Craig was part of the 2021 Warner Brothers Discovery All Access Writer’s Program. His feature film, Black Boys Don’t Sew, has Academy Award Winner Viola Davis and
her husband Julius Tennon attached as Executive Producers. Craig wrote and produced the feature film Game Nite that premiered at 2024 Pan African Film Festival and is headed for distribution. Recently named by The Gotham Film & Media Institute as a 2024 Series Creator to Watch, Craig has several TV projects and feature films in development. Craig is a mentor to teen filmmakers at Reel Works Mentorship Program in Brooklyn. He is also the Executive Director of the newly launched Men of Color Unite (MOCU), a social action and 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that focuses on remedying the inequities that face Men of Color in today’s entertainment and media industries. Craig is and his beautiful wife have a 20-year-old musician son and they make their life in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen, NYC.
Still Wired by J.T. Smith
J.T. Smith is an Elizabeth, New Jersey native who spent his formative years growing up in Columbia, South Carolina. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, he is the author of two novels: Urban Strike, and A Sucker for Love. He has studied playwriting with Woodie King Jr.’s New Federal Theater, in NYC and is the author of the comedic stage play, Prenuptial Disagreements, which had a reading at the International Black Theater Festival in Winston Salem, North Carolina, last year. He is also the author of the musical comedy Please Don’t Take the A-Train, which addresses the rapid gentrification of Harlem. He has also written several screenplays. Smith brings a deep understanding of human struggles and triumphs to both his literary works and theatrical plays. His stories are marked by their raw emotion, vivid characters, and powerful exploration of life in urban environments. J.T. is an avid reader who enjoys visiting his local library and enjoys attending theatre productions in New York City. He currently resides in Mount Vernon, New York.
Weight of Darkness
by Shanée Brown
Shanée Brown is a multi-faceted talent, blending her legal training with a passion for storytelling. As a storyteller, she has made significant contributions both inside and outside the courtroom. Shanée’s dedication to illuminating the Black experience through her writing has earned her recognition in the creative arts. Her stage play Weight of Darkness placed in the top 20% at the Austin Film Festival in both 2022 and 2023, showcasing her ability to craft compelling narratives that resonate with audiences. In 2024, Shanée’s short screenplay Following Indiscretion also achieved a top 20% placement at the same prestigious festival, further cementing her reputation as a talented writer.
In addition to her creative pursuits, Shanée served as a public defender in New York City for six years, and she currently works in higher education.
Shanée earned her bachelor’s degree from Sarah Lawrence College and her law degree from Touro University.
This program is supported in part by Axe Houghton Foundation and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. This program is curated by The Classical Theatre of Harlem’s Director of Literary Programs, Shawn René Graham.
The work of The Classical Theatre of Harlem would not be possible without general operating support from the following organizations: Actors Equity Foundation, Aegon Transamerica, the Josef & Anni Albers Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Blue Coat Philanthropic Fund, the Casement Fund, the Charles E. Culpeper Foundation, Columbus Foundation, the Community Foundation of Utah at the recommendation of the Jarvis & Constance Doctorow Foundation, the Fan Fox & Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Fordi Family Foundation, the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation, Harlem Grown, the Howard Gilman Foundation, Hurlock Marketing Enterprises, the Jerome L. Greene Foundation, the Diana King Memorial Fund presented by the Charles & Lucille King Family Foundation, Loeb & Loeb, Lucille Lortel Foundation, the Mac & Bob Charitable Foundation, MacMillan Family Foundation, Miranda Family Fund, Netflix, New York Life Foundation, Nikko Asset Management, Rainbow Sandals Foundation, Richenthal Foundation, Scherman Foundation, SHS Foundation, Shubert Foundation, The Society, Inc. Renaissance Chapter, and Tiger Baron Foundation.
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, and City Council Members Shaun Abreu, and Yusef Salaam. The work of The Classical Theatre of Harlem is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Future Classics— “No History”
Monday, February 24 at 7pm ET I Harlem Stage
Running Time: 90 mins
Be among the first to experience Reynaldo Piniella’s stirring new play, No History, as part of our Future Classics series. Directed by Kevin R. Free, this intimate reading offers a rare glimpse into a work poised to reshape the theatrical landscape. After the performance, engage directly with the creative team through a moderated discussion, providing valuable feedback and insights. This is a unique opportunity to influence the development of a play that confronts identity, belonging, and cultural inheritance. Come witness a bold new voice shaping the future of American theatre.
Future Classics— “A Demon Inside”
Monday, March 24 at 7pm ET I Harlem Stage
Running Time: 90 mins
Nina Ki’s A DEMON INSIDE, a fantastical drama with a dab of Asian horror. Rory, an elderly hoarder, lives alone, visited only by her daughter Julia. Then one day, she finds a locket in the dump that is haunted by a demon. The demon begins taking over Rory’s mind and home, and Rory comes to believe it is the spirit of her other (deceased) daughter, Franny. The demon demands that Rory give it her soul – wracked with guilt, Rory acquiesces, until an encounter with Julia forces Rory to make a decision about whether to live in the present or die with the ghosts of the past.
Future Classics— A Preview of “Memnon”
Monday, April 28 at 7pm ET I Harlem Stage
Running Time: 90 mins
Inspired by long lost historical records, Memnon reintroduces a legendary Ethiopian king—son of Tithonus and Eos, nephew to Priam—who fought alongside Troy after Hector’s death. Until now, his valor and legacy survived only in ancient fragments mentioned by Homer and others. With playwright Will Power’s riveting script and direction by Carl Cofield, CTH celebrates an African hero overlooked by history. This special preview and conversation explore cultural memory, diverse storytelling, and the importance of reviving voices long silenced. Join us in rediscovering a once-forgotten warrior whose story resonates powerfully in today’s world.
Land Acknowledgement
The Harlem Stage Gatehouse sits on land that was stewarded by the Lenape Tribes and was violently overtaken, leading to the death and displacement of countless original inhabitants and stewards of this land. The colonial initiative of the United States of America not only invaded the land stewarded by Indigenous tribes, it also enslaved and exploited millions of Africans stolen from their land to build a free labor force under barbaric conditions that included the separation of families, brutal beatings, rape, and lynching. Harlem Stage seeks to partner with all communities, artists, and institutions of the Global Majority in the struggle for true equity and freedom.
Harlem Stage encourages all people to see this acknowledgment as a call to action to join our efforts and our mission to ignite the artistic freedom of performing artists of the Global Majority who are poised to build new artistic works, new ideas, and a new world in which ALL people can flourish.
Our Commitment to the Planet
Harlem Stage’s values are rooted in ensuring a sustainable planet. Because we see climate change as one of the most pressing issues of our time – an issue that disproportionately impacts Black and Brown communities across the globe - we will continue to honor environmental initiatives both in our operations and programming. Our efforts in using less paper, transitioning to LEDs in our tech and operational spaces, and leaning into digital communications, we have reduced our carbon footprint by 2.5 tons this 2024 – 2025 season alone. Finally, we are proud to work with artists, such as Bebe Miller, who will explore the dynamic and thriving ecology of forests, as necessary to a sustainable planet, as part of our Spring 2025 E-Moves Festival.
HARLEM STAGE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ronald K. Alexander
Angela Glover Blackwell
Jenna Bond
Jamila Ponton Bragg
Jamie Cannon – Vice President
JoAnn K. Chase
Hugh Dancy and Claire Danes
Dr. Indira Etwaroo
Courtney F. Lee Mitchell – President
Channing Martin
Larry McRae
Rebecca Robertson
LaChanze Sapp-Gooding
Mark Thomas – Treasurer
Tamara Tunie
Heather Wagoner
Blair Washington
Michael Young – Secretary
HARLEM STAGE LEADERSHIP
Dr. Indira Etwaroo, CEO & Artistic Director
Deirdre May, Chief Content Communications Officer
Margaret Hunt, Development Lead
Jelani Buckner, Innovation Business Management Director
HARLEM STAGE TEAM
Acey Anderson, Facilities and Maintenance Associate
Lamont Askins, Operations Manager
Katie Burk, Graphic Design
Devin Cameron, Light and Projections Designer
Bethany Cintron, Community, Education, and Social Initiatives Manager
Franny Ruth Daleo-Clark, Content Communications & Development Intern
Denzel Fields, Programming and Administrative Associate
Julianna Friedman, Associate Director of Individual and Foundational Giving
Deniz Kofteci, Social Media & Website
Shanté Skyers, Director of Development
Karlvy Smith, Strategic Planning Senior Manager
Timmy Torinus, Production Intern
Saúl Ulerio, Technical Director
HARLEM STAGE USHERS
Julian Norales
Steven Sterling
Linda De La Rosa
Trinity Bell
Joshua Screen
Andy Garcia
HARLEM STAGE TECHNICAL CREW
Clarence Taylor, Shop Steward
David Barrett
Orlando Alvarado
Julio Collado
VENDORS
Das, IT
Lutz & Carr/Chris Bellando, Accountants
Aon/Albert G. Ruben Company (NY)/Claudia Kaufman, Insurance
Dwight Johnson Design, Gala
G&A Partners, Human Resources
Madison Consulting Group, Matt Lawrence
Manchester Benefits, Greg Martin
Squire Media & Management, Public Relations
Marc Millman, Photography
Hollis King, Photography
Ncheng, LLP
Walker International Communications Group
HARLEM STAGE FAMILY OF SUPPORTERS
Endowment
Fan Fox & Leslie R. Samuels Foundation
Leonard and Sophie Davis Fund
Rockefeller Brothers Fund
Public
National Endowment for the Arts—Chair, Maria Rosario Jackson,PhD
New York State Council on the Arts—Chair, Katherine Nicholls
The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs—
Mayor Eric Adams and Commissioner Laurie Cumbo
The New York City Council—Councilmember Shaun Abreu and Councilmember Yusef Salaam
Manhattan Borough President– Mark Levine
Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone
Foundations
Altman Foundation
Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Inc.
Bloomberg Philanthropies
Columbia Community Service
Joseph and Joan Cullman Foundation for the Arts
The Leonard and Sophie Davis Fund
The Fan Fox & Leslie R. Samuels Foundation
Francena T. Harrison Foundation Trust
Ford Foundation
Harkness Foundation for Dance
The Hearst Foundations
Howard Gilman Foundation
The Jerome Foundation
Jewish Communal Fund
The Diana King Memorial Fund Presented by the Charles and Lucille King Family Foundation
Lambent Foundation/Tides Foundation
Lucille Lortel Foundation
MacMillan Family Foundation
(Foundations
continued)
Mellon Foundation
Mertz Gilmore Foundation
Metzger-Price Fund
Miranda Family Fund
The Pierre and Tana Matisse Charitable Foundation
Pilot House
Rockefeller Brothers Fund
Ruth Foundation for the Arts
The Scherman Foundation, Inc.
SHS Foundation
The Shubert Foundation
The Thompson Family Foundation
The Leonard and Robert Weintraub Family Foundation
Corporations
BET Networks
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids
JoAnn Chase Company
Consolidated Edison Company
The Interpublic Group of Companies
Manhattan Beer Distributors
SESAC
West Harlem Development Corporation
INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT
Randy Adams
Lisa Arrindell
Bernard Aronson
L. Kelly Atkinson Jr.
Roland Augustine
Neal Baer
Catherine Baker-Pitts
Stephany and Simon Bergson
Robert D. Bielecki Foundation
Angela Glover Blackwell*
Patricia Blanchet
Richard Buery
Mary Schmidt Campbell
Gayle Capozzalo
Geoffrey Canada
William and Patrice Cannon
Jamie Cannon*
JoAnn Chase*
Barry Cohen
Paul and Caroline Cronson
Hugh Dancy* and Claire Danes*
Indira Etwaroo, PhD*
Joni Evans and Susan Bird
Laura Flanders and Elizabeth Streb
Alex Gansa
Stuart and Karen Gelwarg
Laura Greer
Sharon Hall
Ruth and Stephen Hendel
Leon Henderson
Kinshasha Holman Conwill
William Holtzman
Winnie Holzman
Debra James
John Josephson and Carolina Zapf
Simon Kahn
Jenette Kahn
Michael Kantrow
Michael Kenny
James King
Steven Kirkpatrick
Daniel Klaus
Brad Learmonth and Jon Gilman
Courtney F. Lee-Mitchell*
Kenny Leon
Paul Levitz and Jeanette Cusimano
Jim Lewis
Loida Lewis
Jeanine Liburd
Karen Lipkind
Carey Lovelace
Richard Massey
Gay McDougall
Sherman and Chris Meloni
John Metzner
Kelly Myers
Lynn Nottage
Estelle Parsons
Richard D. Parsons
Marguerite Pitts
Will Pitts
Stan Ponte
Maxine and John Potts
Adam Richman
Dee Dee Ricks
Golda Rosheuvel
Terri Prettyman Bowles
Rebecca Robertson*
Gretchen and Jamie Rubin
Judy Rubin
Ted Snowdon and Duffy Violante
Beth and Jason Spector
Mark Thomas*
Teri & Lloyd Trotter
Tamara Tunie
Reginald Van Lee
Blair Washington*
Carrie Mae Weems
Fran and Barry Weissler
Greg Williamson
Carol Wood Moore
Michael Young*
*Board Members
The above list reflects gifts received between July 1, 2024 and January 23, 2025. Donations under $1,000 are greatly appreciated but not acknowledged publicly. If your name has been omitted or misprinted, please accept our apologies and contact Associate Director of Individual and Foundational Giving, Julianna Friedman at jfriedman@harlemstage.org
MAJOR GIFTS
Altman Foundation
Bloomberg Philanthropies
Ford Foundation
The Hearst Foundations
Howard Gilman Foundation
Jewish Communal Fund
The Diana King Memorial Fund Presented by the Charles and Lucille King
Family Foundation
Lambent Foundation/Tides Foundation
Mellon Foundation
Pilot House
The Thompson Family Foundation
The Leonard and Robert Weintraub Family Foundation
The above list reflects gifts of $100,000 and above. Donations under $99,999 are greatly appreciated but not classified as a Major Gift at Harlem Stage. If your name has been omitted or misprinted, please accept our apologies and contact, Associate Director of Individual and Foundational Giving, Julianna Friedman at jfriedman@harlemstage.org
