Black Theatres & Theatre Organizations (USA)

We need, in every community, a group of angelic troublemakers. — Bayard Rustin

Worlds Elsewhere Theatre Company was founded to produce theatre even in troubled times, with the goal of centering unheard voices and underserved communities. American theatre is by no means immune from the issues of race in this country, and one of the core tenets at the center of WETC’s mission is to elevate the work of BIPOC artists, both within WETC productions, and in the theatre world at large.

The 1619 Project

Juneteenth is an American holiday, celebrating the freeing of the last enslaved persons in the South at Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation (full emancipation would not come to the North and the Indian territories until the passage of the 13th Amendment later that year). The day has long been celebrated in Black communities around the country to celebrate the end of slavery, as well as Black excellence and the role of Black Americans in US history. Though only recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth is an important part of American history, one that we proudly celebrate.

In honor of Juneteenth, WETC would like to highlight Black theatres and theatre organizations around the US, who are doing the work to bring Black stories to the stage, told by Black playwrights and performed by Black artists. This list is by no means complete, but we encourage you to support your local Black theatres, wherever they may be, as we exit this time of quarantine and look to the world ahead.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on ’til victory is won.

— “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson

This is a living list, maintained by Worlds Elsewhere, with contributions from its Rep members and supporters. If there is a theatre or organization that is missing from this list, please email us with their information at . (List updated 6/18/2021)

National

Local

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Guam (GU)

Hawaii (HI)

Idaho (ID)

Illinois (IL)

Indiana (IN)

Iowa (IA)

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Kentucky (KY)

Louisiana (LA)

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Maryland (MD)

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Michigan (MI)

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Missouri (MO)

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New York (NY)

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Northern Mariana Islands (MP)

Ohio (OH)

Oklahoma (OK)

Oregon (OR)

Pennsylvania (PA)

Puerto Rico (PR)

Rhode Island (RI)

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Texas (TX)

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Vermont (VT)

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Washington (WA)

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Wisconsin (WI)

Wyoming (WY)

the work continues