A personal message to
all of our friends and supporters from Ty Jones, Board Chairman:
What a year this has been. While the biggest banking institutions received massive bailouts and infusions of cash to keep them afloat during difficult times, the pool of funding for the arts evaporated. Many arts organizations could not survive, but The Classical Theatre of Harlem, despite financial cutbacks and changes in our artistic leadership, has endured, and as 2010 dawns, we are about to embark on our second decade. It is obvious that none of this would be possible without the efforts of our Board, consultants, the generous counsel of Kramer Levin, and the ongoing support of our donors. With a new Advisory Board that includes Lynn Nottage, Robert O'Hara, Morgan Jenness, Joanna Settle, Tamara Tunie and John Douglas Thompson, we have embarked upon a search for new artistic leadership, and hope to name a new Artistic Director by early spring.
While that search is ongoing, we are committed to the continuation of our landmark endeavor, Project Classics: Theatre in Public Housing. It's time to encompass the humanity of these residents and empower their voice in the conversation of theater in NYC .With a ‘start-up’ grant from the Theater Subdistrict Council of New York City, we are working hard to bring theater and education to the residents of public housing. In January, with the help of New Perspectives Theatre Company, we begin a twelve-week educational initiative in the Grant Public Housing Development.
As part of Project Classics, in a co-production with the Hip-Hop Theater Festival, we are proud to announce SEED, a new play by emerging playwright Radha Blank.
But none of this is possible without ongoing help. Of course we will continue to pursue all available funding, but the shrinking pool of funds compels us to turn to our base of supporters. For CTH, the support of our community members remains the backbone of our existence. For actors and artists who can donate the nominal sum of just $10.00 per month to CTH, we offer you “The Artist Page” in return, a link from the CTH website that will allow casting directors, actors and other artists to network and connect. By submitting a digital picture and digital resume to info@classicaltheatreofharlem.org, participating artists (who can make their recurring donation on the CTH website) will be featured on The Artists Page, available to casting directors. This site should be up and running by mid-February 2010.
This past year has been difficult for many not-for-profits, however I remain optimistic, and see this crisis bringing us to the precipice of opportunity. As we embark on this new decade, I must thank you all deeply - the interns, the volunteers and those of you behind the scenes who never receive credit - for your unwavering support of the Classical Theatre of Harlem. See you at the next show!!
Future Classics Reading Series
Follow Me To Nellie's
by Dominique Morisseau
Directed by Kamilah Forbes
February 17th, 7pm
A word from Wendell 
Pierce, star of the
HBO drama "The Wire":
"My humble request: Support Classical Theatre of Harlem. Please share my full endorsement of them as they shift gears in the new decade!"
