Support Black Theatre’s four core initiatives – New Works Pipeline, Talk Forward™, Equip, and GroundED – follow the principle of “See, Create, and Invest.”

Our New Works Pipeline retains the power of decision making for Black artists and theatre by developing new Black plays and securing funding for Black theatres to mount full productions of new work by Black artists.

Talk Forward cultivates and nurtures Black audiences, flipping the model of the traditional post-show talkback by inviting audiences into the process of theatre making through reflective feedback long before a full production is mounted.

The Equip initiative builds theatres’ executive leadership capacity through leadership courses and nonprofit management training and direct services including introductions to funders, grant writing seminars, writing letters of support. The initiative raised over $1.3 million in grant awards for Black theatres between 2021 and 2025. Equip also offers technical training and paid internships in dramaturgy, playwriting, directing, stage management, producing, and technical design.

The GroundED initiative provides year-round arts workforce development and artistic opportunities, building career pathways in the arts and related fields for 300+ youth ages 15-25 each year. GroundED introduces young people to careers in Black theatre through the work of August Wilson, among other playwrights. Our annual August Wilson monologue competition for high school students includes complementary in-school education throughout the school year, culminating with late-spring performances and judging at partner Ebony Repertory Theatre.