In celebration of African American History Month, The Shades Repertory Theatre will perform a staged public reading of Death of King Shotaway - The Birth of the African Grove Theater by Samuel Harps at Harmony Hall on Saturday, February 1st, from 4-6 PM, followed by a Q&A with the cast and playwright.
Shades Repertory Theatre is a multicultural professional theater company directed by Samuel Harps, an award-winning playwright, director, and filmmaker. The company will rehearse its upcoming performances at Harmony Hall on Saturdays in January.
Based on a true story, Death of King Shotaway—The Birth of the African Grove Theater refers to a historical event in which the play The Drama of King Shotaway, believed to be the first full-length play written by a Black American, was staged at the African Grove Theater in New York City. This marked the emergence of the first prominent Black theater company in the United States; essentially, the play's
production signifies the theater's founding moment.
In 1821, playwright William Henry Brown and Actor James Hewett, both men of color, opened the first known all-black theater company on Thompson St in Lower Manhattan. They were the first to produce Shakespeare's Othello with a black actor in the title role.
Suggested donation is $5. Limited seating is first come, first seated.
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