Black Theatre United

Black Theatre United Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Black Theatre United, New York, NY.

As members of the black theatre community we stand together to help protect black people, black talent, and black lives of all shapes and orientations in theatre and communities across the country.

Only a few more days until our 2026 BTU GALA! ?
10/02/2026

Only a few more days until our 2026 BTU GALA!

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The work people see at Black Theatre United is made possible by the work they don’t.When Kettia Ming became BTU’s first ...
10/02/2026

The work people see at Black Theatre United is made possible by the work they don’t.

When Kettia Ming became BTU’s first Executive Director in 2022, she brought the perspective of an entrepreneur who had already successfully grown Smarter Toddler from one basement location into four Manhattan childcare centers before its acquisition. She understood that vision needs structure, and that sustainable impact depends on what is built beneath it.

Working alongside BTU’s founders, board, staff and partners, Kettia helped strengthen the systems, budgets, contracts, staffing, insurance, workflows, policies and governance supporting our mission. She helped develop the gala into an institutional fundraising asset, deepen corporate and foundation relationships and build a more diversified revenue strategy.

That capacity created more room for BTU RISE, Broadway Bound, the Designer Initiative and Design Expo, The Business of Show, the Marva Hicks Musical Theatre Scholarship and the continued work of the New Deal for Broadway.

In 2025, 148 people applied for 11 BTU RISE placements. Approximately 250 people attended the Design Expo, and 118 people had signed the New Deal for Broadway.

The numbers matter, but every number represents a person: an intern discovering a place in the industry, a student entering a Broadway theatre, a designer making a career-changing connection or a scholarship recipient receiving the support to keep going.

Kettia’s leadership has also lived in quieter moments: identifying problems before they became crises, navigating difficult decisions, protecting relationships and helping ensure BTU was ready when new opportunities arrived.

None of this work belongs to one person. It reflects a community of founders, board members, staff, donors, sponsors, partners and participants who believe in BTU’s mission.

Kettia has been helping translate that collective ambition into the infrastructure needed to carry it forward - as there is still...WORK TO DO!

See you at this year's

09/30/2026

"We're all in this together, rooting for one another."

BTU Collective member Kaliswa Brewster dropping wisdom after an amazing BTU Business of Show.

Key takeaway from the night: show up as yourself, come prepared, and bring your point of view!

09/29/2026

This year, Black Theatre United is putting its legacy into the hands of its honorees.

For the 4th Annual BTU Gala, a committee of board members and BTU leadership came together to create an original award that reflects the organization’s mission and the legacy being built through Black artists and arts workers.

The process led BTU to artist Roberto, whose design stood out for the way it connected BTU’s mission to West African roots, materials, and artistic tradition.
Board Member Bryan Maxwell Collins joined Executive Director Kettia Ming in the studio to experience the making of the award firsthand and help bring its final form to life.

On October 5, these one-of-a-kind awards will be presented to this year’s honorees as a physical representation of the work, history, and legacy that BTU continues to build.

Join us for the 4th Annual BTU Gala at the Ziegfeld Ballroom.

October 5, 2026
New York City

There is work to do. Come be part of the celebration.

Broadway Bound is officially in full swing, and we’re excited to introduce our Instagram family to the teaching artists ...
09/28/2026

Broadway Bound is officially in full swing, and we’re excited to introduce our Instagram family to the teaching artists leading the way for the 2026–2027 school year.

Through Broadway Bound, Black Theatre United brings theatre education, mentorship, and creative opportunity directly to students, helping the next generation of young artists see themselves in the future of theatre.

And Broadway Bound is just one of the many programs we have throughout the year, from professional development and mentorship to education, advocacy, and community programming.

Learn more about Broadway Bound and all of our programs at the link in our bio.

Want to help us keep this work moving? Join us for the BTU Gala on October 5th at the Ziegfeld Ballroom. Your support helps make programs like Broadway Bound possible.

This year's work calls for people willing to build, advocate, and keep moving forward.Black Theatre United is proud to h...
09/28/2026

This year's work calls for people willing to build, advocate, and keep moving forward.

Black Theatre United is proud to have Mathew Knowles and Gena Avery Knowles as cochairs of the 2026 BTU Gala.

Under this year's theme, Work To Do, we're honoring the artists, advocates, and institution-builders who continue to create space for Black and brown voices across American theatre.

Join us October 5 at the Ziegfeld Ballroom as we celebrate the work, the people, and the future we're building together.

Tickets and more information at the link in our bio.

Some artists leave a mark. Others change what we imagine is possible.Common. Alicia Keys. Camille A. Brown.Across the ye...
09/24/2026

Some artists leave a mark. Others change what we imagine is possible.

Common. Alicia Keys. Camille A. Brown.

Across the years, the Aspire Award has celebrated artists whose work reaches beyond the moment and creates new possibilities for the people coming next.

This year, Black Theatre United turns to a career that has done exactly that.

Paul Tazewell is the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, honoring a body of work that has reshaped how Black stories, people, and possibilities are seen on stages around the world.

Join us October 5th as we celebrate Paul Tazewell and a legacy still inspiring what comes next. This is the event of the year, we hope you're in the room!

Tickets in bio.

We are honored to be joined by an extraordinary group of Honorary Co-Chairs for Black Theatre United's 4th Annual Gala. ...
09/22/2026

We are honored to be joined by an extraordinary group of Honorary Co-Chairs for Black Theatre United's 4th Annual Gala.

ann james Danielle Brooks Ezra Ezzard Josh Groban Karine Jean-Pierre Kara Young Michael Oloyede Mister Fitzgerald Qween Jean Richard Jay-Alexander

Together, they stand with us as we take on this year's theme: Work to Do. Monday, October 5, 2026 Ziegfeld Ballroom, NYC Tickets + details at the link in bio

09/21/2026

Happy birthday to our BTU founding member Billy Porter 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 we hope you have an amazing day!

The gem is via Life Stories

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