Grantees
and Partners

Billie Holiday Theatre

Overview

The Obie and AUDELCO Award-winning Billie Holiday Theatre is a state-of-the-art creative campus and the only multi-platform performing arts center led by, for, and accountable to people of African descent in the largest African American community in the nation: Central Brooklyn and one of the last remaining theaters forged in the aesthetic and sociocultural kiln of America’s Civil Rights/Black Arts Movements. “The Billie” was founded in 1972 by Restoration (formerly Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation), America’s first community development corporation. The Billie Holiday Theatre was created as a space and platform for many notable and successful African American actors, writers, designers and musicians to develop their craft. Actors including Samuel L. Jackson, Debbie Allen, and Tichina Arnold have performed at the Billie Holiday Theatre.

Grant

Purpose: To support The Billie Holiday Theatre’s 2021 season and general support.

In 2021, The Billie continued to engage their community in meaningful ways both online and outdoors during the pandemic. They continued to confront social issues with boldness and innovation, creating a space for the conversations needed as a community and a nation. Their successful September 2020 revival production of 12 Angry Men…and Women: The Weight of the Wait was filmed at Steve Jobs Theater in Los Angeles in partnership with Apple, and released across AppleTV, Apple Podcast, AppleMusic, and AppleBooks.

In May 2021, The Billie once again introduced audiences to new voices with the fifth anniversary of 50in50—their popular monologue series showcasing women writers from around the world who are guided by a curatorial statement written by playwright and MacArthur fellow Dominique Morrisau. The 2021 edition of 50in50, The Shattering of the Glass Ceiling, was inspired by the election of Kamala Harris, the first woman of color elected as Vice President of the United States.

From July through October, The Billie presented their SummerFest 2021, marking the return of love in-person events at West Plaza. Free community events included:

• Skylight Open: a music and spoken word series which featured Brooklyn-based artists including Dagi-Ann, London Mckoy, Mekhiel from Rapha Center, and renowned tap dancer Adante Power.
• Black Joy Film Fest: family-friendly films including, The Wiz, House Party, Drumline, and Soul.
• Community Dance Classes: weekly workshops conducted by the Youth Arts Academy’s instructors.
• Restoration Rocks!: highlighting the art of the DJ. Some of New York’s most renowned mix masters performed on multiples stages, including DJ Rich Medina, DJ Reborn, DJ Hard Hittin Harry, DJ Taela Naomi, DJ Sabine, and DJ Stormin Norman.

Banner photo by Hollis King.