December 2013

Dear Friend:

I recently visited a CTH rehearsal and heard our choral group working on songs from our newly commissioned holiday musical. I witnessed musical directors Jason Michael Webb (Motown the Musical, Choir Boy) and Lelund Durond (CTH Artistic Associate) shape the sound of this truly remarkable group as a small crowd gathered outside the studio door. Hearing the repeated chorus ‘Rejoice! Rejoice!’ lifted the spirits of those onlookers. This brief moment filled me with joy and anticipation. Joy for the incredible support we’ve received this year from people like you and anticipation for our promising future.

I rejoice in CTH’s partnership with The Public Theater that brought Dominique Morisseau’s Detroit ’67 to sold-out audiences uptown and downtown. I rejoice in the 10,000 people that came to see our unprecedented run of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Marcus Garvey Park this past summer. I rejoice in the scores of curious and talented children who received arts education through our Project Classics program. I rejoice in the many emerging playwrights who had their work read by professional actors and received the crucial feedback needed to develop their plays.

On the heels of our momentous 2013, I look forward to the new year with great anticipation. We will continue to support emerging writers through our reading series. We will expand our arts education program to serve more children across Harlem by exploring new partnerships with local institutions. We are planning a new, hard-hitting production for the spring; a glorious summer return to the Richard Rodgers Amphitheater in Marcus Garvey Park with Romeo and Juliet; and the world premiere of our new Harlem-based, gospel-inspired holiday show next winter. I hope to see you in the audience in 2014!

There are many worthy organizations fighting hard to earn contributions this season and it would be a great source of pride for CTH to earn yours.

 

With deep appreciation,

Ty Jones, Producing Artistic Director