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Woodie King, Jr. (center, rear), with Cliff Frazier, Ossie Davis and Clarence Ali, at Sardi's
Guided by its mission to integrate minorities and women into the mainstream of American theatre by training artists and presenting plays by minorities and women to multicultural audiences, New Federal Theatre (NFT) was mandated by its Board of Directors to create an ongoing membership drive to increase audience capacity. New York City theatergoers will now have the opportunity to become a member of NFT and thereby increase their exposure to the diverse productions staged throughout the theatre season. NFT enters its 33rd year bearing the awesome responsibility of sustaining the legacy of African-American theatre and we want you to become a member and help fulfill this mission. "Eight years ago membership drives became very popular amongst mainstream theatres," said Woodie King, Jr., Producing Director of NFT. "This has always been a way to gauge box office returns for the season." A recent board meeting recommended offering a $60 subscription to 3 plays at the beginning of the season. Normal ticket prices are $30 per ticket so there will be a savings of $30 per season. Further discounts will be given for purchases via the website: www.newfederaltheatre.org. Membership packages include free theatre workshops, special invitations to play readings and incredible discounts at Hue-Man Bookstore in Harlem.
NFT's Summer Teen-On-The-Job Training Program
New Federal Theatre will once again sponsor its Teen-on-the-Job Training Program. The summer program for teens ages 13-19 provides an opportunity to see up close what it is like to work in the theatre. They will meet with professionals in theatre and film, both onstage and off. Visits to museums will also broaden their education and further enhance their appreciation for the cultural diversity and landscape that exists in our city. Theatres participating in the program, now in its sixth year, include National Black Theatre, Ensemble Studio Theatre, and TADA! Terrance Bankolé, visual artist, filmmaker, producer and educator will administer the program which has some exciting components scheduled for the later part of the program. Teens will have an opportunity to take workshops in theatre craft and attend related lectures by producers and directors. Bankolé's ultimate goal is to instill a sense of worth in our youth. "My goal is to build self-worth and confidence within all children. I believe that rather than arrogance, a child should be taught to be confident," he said. New York, NY 10002 292 Henry Street Ossie Davis seen here with Councilman Leroy Comrie (Queens 27th District) on hand to represent his district's cultural institutions.
Volume 1, Issue 4 August 2003 This publication is funded by a grant from the Nathan Cummings Foundation 1
EDITOR: Fabian G. Burrell DESIGN: Angel Gardner, www.graphics-shop.com
New Federal Theatre 292 Henry Street NYC 10002 Phone: (212) 353-1176 Fax: (212) 353-1088 newfederaltheatre@aol.com
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In This Issue
NFT Membership Initiative
"Another Openin', Another Show"
Black Theatre Demands Slice of Pie
Cliff Frazier Chairman of the Board
Summer Teen-On-the-Job Training Program
Teagle Bougere, Earle Hyman and Ruby Dee in A LAST DANCE FOR SYBIL
“Another Openin’, Another Show...”
This season, NFT had four "opening nights" in theatres throughout various parts of the city, capturing audiences reflecting the multi-cultural diversity of the city.
The season opener, A Last Dance for Sybil written by Ossie Davis, directed by Edward G. Smith with Supervising Director Lloyd Richards and starred Ruby Dee, Teagle F. Bougere, William Clark, Herb Downer, Craig Alan Edwards, Arthur French, Ben Hammer, Earle Hyman, Alice Spivak and Count Stovall at Theatre at St. Clements.
Ralph Carter with WHOSE FAMILY VALUES! castmember Rozalyn Coleman
Whose Family Values! written by Richard Abrons and directed by Philip Rose debuted on Theatre Row at the Clurman Theatre on West 42nd Street. In the audience were television luminaries Ted Lange of The Love Boat, Ralph Carter of Good Times and Art McFarland of Channel 7's Eyewitness News, who said, “Whose Family Values! is timely and thoughtful. The production is enhanced by its wonderful directing and performances." Playwright Richard Abrons has written a thought-provoking play whose subject matter captured a recent New York Times' headline: “Suspect Bomber of Abortion Clinics Caught.” "This particular opening night was my third at NFT and my most exciting because of the fantastic audience response which put us all in a good mood for what was to come," said Abrons during the run of the show. Abrons worked closely with legendary producer and director Philip Rose whose earliest association with NFT was as the Executive Producer of the Broadway debut of Checkmates written by Ron Milner and directed by King. Rose continues to be a source of inspiration to King since 1959 when he produced the Broadway debut of Lorraine Hansberry's play A Raisin in the Sun. "Philip Rose is a perfect example of the consummate producer/director with an unbelievable vision. He epitomizes what I think great theatre and great art should be about," said King. Rose's work focuses on the triumph of the human spirit and in this production he has brought out the very best in the characters. His cast of eight includes Glynis Bell, Rosalyn Coleman, Chris Hutchison, Clayton LeBouef, Martha Libman, Ted Rodenborn, Herbert Rubens, and Gammy L. Singer. "One of my reasons for directing this play is that it had important things to say to people on both sides of the abortion issue," said Rose. After several years of semi-retirement, Rose has written a book about his life in the theatre. “You Can't Do That On Broadway” chronicles his relentless pursuit of non-traditional casting of blacks in major roles.
Other NFT openings were Faith, Hope and Charity, co-produced by INTAR, written by Cuban playwright Alberto Pedro, translated into English by Caridad Svich and directed by Max Ferra, at INTAR Hispanic American Arts Center on West 53rd Street, with Maria Cellario, Judith Delgado, Dana Manno and Mizan Nunes; American Menu by Don Wilson Glenn, directed by Ajene Washington, starred Patricia R. Floyd, Sharon Hope, Benja K, Kimberly "Q" and M. Drue Williams had a successful run at the Harry De Jur Playhouse. Set during the Civil Rights Movement the characters gave a voice to the often-ignored masses.
Our latest production is the one-act play With Certain Regrets written by newcomer Andrena Hale and submitted to the Samuel French Short Play Festival 2003. The cast includes Carmel Renee Macklin, Tawfiq, Oberon K. A. Adjepong Mums (Oz) and Andre Royo (The Wire). This production won the first round and is poised to covet the ultimate prize - publishing by Samuel French Publishers. The 2003-2004 season promises four exciting opening nights. The world premier of the hip-hop musical based on the defunct rap group The Funke Natives, Diss Diss and Diss Dat by R. J. Maharaj; Fellow Traveler about a Hollywood screenwriter at the crossroads of his career and personal life written by John Herman Shaner; Diane Richards' Sowa's Red Gravy Stories' cast of five women to be directed by Woodie King, Jr. and set in Harlem, and Malik's blues cantata choreopoem with original music, Real Black Men Don't Sit Crosslegged on the Floor examining the sexual myths and other atrocities attributed to black men with an all-male cast of ten.
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Ossie Davis with Queens 27th District Councilman Leroy Comrie
Black Theatre Demands Slice of the Pie at City Hall
Despite the 100 degree temperature on June 26, the Ethnic Specific Cultural Coalition, an ad hoc group spearheaded by City Councilman Charles Barron, at the urgings of NFT's Woodie King, Jr., met in the cool corridors of City Hall to vent their grievance over the exclusion of Black Theatre from a $10 million grant disbursed to 162 cultural institutions in 2002. The grant, a private donation from the Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg was administered by The Carnegie Corporation of New York as an anonymous grant. With Ossie Davis as its most celebrated spokesperson, the group charged Bloomberg with not providing for institutions of color "which are the very backbones of our great city," said Davis. The coalition had nine specific demands which included members receiving a business investment grant to increase the economy in the communities they serve; members' budgets with the City of New York be increased 100%; and that $5 million be set aside to support infrastructure with Cultural Specific Institutions in all five boroughs and provide energy discounts and housing opportunities for artists and institutions in those cultural zones. Councilman Barron in his press statement concluded that, "at present, Black, Latino and Asian cultural institutions receive less than 1% of New York City's resources. While it is easy to say that the funding of 162 white cultural institutions was not institutionalizing racism, the application of such definitely had a racist effect." King, absent due to a prior commitment in Los Angeles, commented, "Concerned citizens should not only write to their elected officials to demand more monies for their cultural institutions, but should bring their families out to see our work."
Board of Directors
Cliff Frazier-Chairman of the Board, New Federal Theatre Executive Director, NY Metropolitan Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolence (NYMLK), Founder and President International of the Communications Association (ICA) as well as Founder and Chairman of the Harriet Tubman Charter School is just a few of the many hats worn by Cliff Frazier. His reasons for playing an active role in these organizations are varied but one common thread runs throughout, "they provide an opportunity for me to give back to our youth." NFT is fortunate to have Frazier as the Chairman of its Board of Directors. "I recognize the accomplishments that NFT has made over the past 32 years and the phenomenal significance to Black Theatre," he said. "It has broken new ground and provided an avenue for emerging talent as actors, playwrights, scenic designers, costumers, and other art forms connected to the theatre." Frazier brings to the position his vast experience as an executive, educator, lecturer, actor, writer, director and producer. He has served as Producer on 45 television and film projects and won an EMMY award for his writing, producing and directing of the ABC-TV special “To Be A Man.” He also created the television series “A Nation in View” and award-winning productions “Turkey Treasure,” “Movie Magic in New York City” and “Bearden Plays Bearden” for WPIX-TV. He serves NFT through his love and friendship for Woodie King, Jr. that dates back to their youthful days in Detroit, MI where they were struggling actors paving their way toward the Great White Way. Frazier and King produced their own nationwide tours starring themselves and made a lot of money, which they used to finance their move to New York City. Frazier expanded his role as an actor to include Administrator for Third World Cinema Productions and produced feature films, “Claudine” starring Diahann Carroll and James Earl Jones and “Greased Lightning” starring Richard Pryor. In speaking of the Board's newest initiative to create audiences for upcoming seasons, he remarked, "the proposed membership drive will be significant in expanding audiences for NFT.
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