The National Black Theatre: Institute for Action Arts

The National Black Theatre: Institute for Action Arts NBT's core mission remains the same today as it was at the time of its founding, to produce transfor
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NATIONAL BLACK THEATRE INC- Founded by visionary Dr. Barbara Ann Teer in 1968, the National Black Theatre (NBT) has pioneered “the healing art of black theatre as an instrument for wholeness in urban communities where entrepreneurial artists of African descent live and work." NBT’s own original productions have toured the USA, Caribbean, Central America, Africa, Asia and has performed in venues th

roughout New York City, such as The Apollo Theatre, Lincoln Center and the Beacon Theatre. NBT performances attract audiences of over 90,000 each year, more than any other African-‐American community based Theatre company in NYC. To date, NBT has won over 45 AUDELCO Black Theatre Excellence Awards, produced over 300 productions, and countless workshops, courses and community events.

Tickets are on sale now for Imitation of Life, a powerful new musical about identity, the American dream, and what we l...
05/29/2026

Tickets are on sale now for Imitation of Life, a powerful new musical about identity, the American dream, and what we leave for future generations!

Imitation of Life, co-produced with The Shed, is a new musical with a book by Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, music and lyrics by Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award winner John Legend, and directed by Two-Time Tony Award Nominee Whitney White.

NOW 6 WEEKS!
November 21, 2026 - January 3, 2027
Playing at The Shed | 545 West 30th Street, NYC

Inspired by the 1933 best-selling novel by Fannie Hurst and the beloved 1934 and 1959 Universal films, Imitation of Life follows two single mothers, one Black and one White, as well as their daughters, who build a shared life while each strives for success and love in a society divided by race and class. Set across the vibrant backdrop of 1920s Atlantic City and 1930s New York, this new, profoundly moving musical explores themes of identity, the American Dream, and what we leave for future generations.

This limited engagement marks the first major step in nurturing and developing a new American musical. Imitation of Life will be performed with a full cast and live orchestra, in a staged presentation that prioritizes the primacy of the work itself. Audiences are invited to be present at the moment an important new musical begins.

Get Tickets Now: https://bit.ly/4ffumMq

05/29/2026

For generations, dance has been a living expression of resilience in Black communities, bringing people together in joy, celebration, and shared spirit.

There is power in movement that reminds us we are never carrying life alone.

💃🏿🕺🏿: IG- tyedric_hill and IG- breonna_jordan

05/25/2026

This week, remember that your path was never meant to be perfectly straight. Life's journey will ask you to stretch, to wander, and sometimes to begin again, but none of it is wasted.

📽 : Tamron Hall Show
🗣: Susan L. Taylor

The inaugural Founding Members Circle at National Black Theatre closes June 8 🖤Join as a Founding Friend ($150) or Found...
05/25/2026

The inaugural Founding Members Circle at National Black Theatre closes June 8 🖤

Join as a Founding Friend ($150) or Founding Supporter ($250) and unlock early ticket access, exclusive member gatherings, cultural experiences including early access to Imitation of Life with book by Two time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, music by Emmy, Oscar, Grammy and Tony award winner John Legend and directed by Two time Tony award nominee Whitney White before the general public.

Members are also invited to Founding Member Night at The Peculiar Patriot on Saturday, June 6 a special evening gathering in community around the 25th anniversary production written and performed by Liza Jessie Peterson and directed by Talvin Wilks.

Want even more access? Join at the $500 Founding Liberator level to unlock expanded cultural experiences, including guaranteed seats to American Sublime, a one night only event by Amy Sherald and directed by 2026 Tony Award nominee Zhailon Levingston (Cats: The Jellicle Ball).

Be the first. Join today: https://bit.ly/FMCsocials

Who decides who gets freedom? Unpacking The Complex: The Power Game.Tomorrow afternoon, following The Peculiar Patriot, ...
05/23/2026

Who decides who gets freedom? Unpacking The Complex: The Power Game.

Tomorrow afternoon, following The Peculiar Patriot, Judge Milton Tingling and Darlene Bruce join us for a live afterwords conversation on power, punishment, and who the system was built to protect.

Who really holds power in the justice system? Some decisions shape entire lives. Some systems were never designed equally.

Join the conversation. Tickets start at $30. Get tickets here: https://bit.ly/4bmtzFH

05/22/2026

To be celebrated loudly by the people who love you is its own kind of blessing. May your joy always have room to dance freely.

📽 : IG- badgalmelv

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS TOMORROW FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2026APPLY NOW to NBT's I Am SOUL Playwright Residency Program. This his...
05/21/2026

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS TOMORROW FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2026

APPLY NOW to NBT's I Am SOUL Playwright Residency Program. This historic program serves the best and brightest early-career Black writers from around the country, with a commitment to producing a public presentation of a newly commissioned play over the course of 18 months. Launched in 2014, we provide a stipend, development resources, and a production team for up to three playwrights per cycle, with an unprecedented commitment to produce the new work within a future season.

Apply Here: https://bit.ly/4vBycVB

Lena Waithe's Birthday 30 Ticket Giveaway!This Saturday, May 23, at 6 PM, there will be a free ticket giveaway for The ...
05/21/2026

Lena Waithe's Birthday 30 Ticket Giveaway!

This Saturday, May 23, at 6 PM, there will be a free ticket giveaway for The Peculiar Patriot playing at New York Theatre Workshop, located at 79 East 4th Street

Audiences continue to leave the theatre amazed at Liza Jesse Peterson's brilliant use of humor and her ability to keep them on the edge of their seats! You won't want to miss the 25th anniversary and final run of The Peculiar Patriot.

Line up at the Box Office at NYTW beginning at 5PM to claim your free tickets on May 23rd performance! First come, first served. The show begins at 6PM.

America talks endlessly about punishment. Why don’t we talk about restoration?Tomorrow night after the performance of Th...
05/20/2026

America talks endlessly about punishment. Why don’t we talk about restoration?

Tomorrow night after the performance of The Peculiar Patriot, the conversation continues with a post show talkback - Unpacking The Complex: The Road To Restoration.

What does restoration actually look like after incarceration?

Join Sharon White-Harrigan, Darren Mack, and Liza Jessie Peterson for a live post show conversation on survival, restoration, and the long road back.

See the show. Stay for the conversation.
Tickets start at $30: https://bit.ly/4bmtzFH

05/20/2026

There is a sacred kind of freedom in belonging fully to yourself and knowing yourself deeply. It asks for honesty, tenderness, and the courage to face yourself fully while still choosing love.

May this week bring you closer to the version of yourself that feels most aligned, most grounded, and most free.

🗣: Dr. Maya Angelou

Address

2031-2033 National Black Theatre Way ( Fifth Avenue Btwn 125/126 St )
New York, NY
10035

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 10pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 11pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm
Sunday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

+12127223800

Website

https://linktr.ee/NBT

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