Young Audiences Celebrates Black Theater History in New Orleans
This year’s theme for Black History Month is “African Americans in the Arts!” For this reason, YALA wishes to focus on some history of Black theater in New Orleans. It happens that due to its location and diverse performance talent, very early on New Orleans became a center for Black theater performance.
In this very short list, YALA would like to recognize the historical importance of theater companies in New Orleanst. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but does give a sense of the range, professionalism, and innovation of Black theater companies in the city.
Opera Creole (1796) noting that opera and classical performance has always had people of color in its legacy, New Orleans’ own Opera Creole has its own 200+ year legacy as having evolved from the earliest opera performance groups in the United States owing to New Orleans Creoles being sent to study opera in Europe in the late 18th and 19th centuries. Early productions of European operas were common, as were compositions by African Americans.
Free Southern Theater Company (1963-1982) traveled to and performed for rural workers in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee, mostly Black, originated in MIssissippi and relocated to New Orleans in 1965 in hopes of expanding its funding opportunities. Founded by John O’Neal, this theater company employed theater as a tool for social change, especially racial justice and poverty. When Tom Dent lead the toupe for a time, and the troupe wrote and produced its own work as well as adapting existing plays by white authors. Productions encouraged audience interaction and follow up discussions.
Dashiki Project Theatre (1965) was the first legitimate theater company to originate directly in New Orleans among the Black Arts Movement theater companies; Theodore Gilliam; one of the most prolific Black theater; first legitimate black theater to originate in New Orleans. With its roots at Dillard University, the company evolved into a training ground for Black actors, however, Dashiki Project was committed to inclusivity, including non-Black plays and actors early on.
Ethiopian Theater Company (1973-1979) founded by Monroe and Anthony Bean evolved into the Anthony Bean Community Theater and Acting School which continues to this day. Following its original intention of providing meaningful activities for youth through the arts, in addition to theater productions, the Anthony Bean Community Theater continues since 2000 to train New Orleans actors for stage and film, including careers in set design and theater management.
Junebug Productions (1980)–John O’Neal from the Free Southern Theater Company formed Junebug Productions to produce original and classic plays exploring African American experiences. Throughout its 44 year history, Junebug Productions has collaborated with diverse theater companies including the Appalachian theater company, Roadside Theater, A Traveling Jewish Theatre, members of the Asian American company First Voices, and the Puerto Rican company Teatro Pregones.
In the next article about Black Theater History in New Orleans, we will look at current theater companies and upcoming shows!