Mission Statement
The Black Theatre Troupe, Inc. has been providing training, employment and performance opportunities for multi-ethnic and underserved artists since 1970 and acts to make significant contributions toward fostering the arts, specifically theater, within the State of Arizona. It operates to enhance the cultural and artistic awareness of the community by providing productions that illuminate the African-American experience and culture. It is our purpose and mission to educate, enlighten, and entertain a diverse, multi-cultural audience by using local, regional and national talent with the emphasis on providing exposure to black culture and ideology.
History
At the beginning of the long hot summer of 1970, a City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Supervisor named Helen Katherine Mason noticed the distinct absence of one rich and resonant voice within the arts communities of the Valley and the State of Arizona at large. She dedicated herself to giving that voice a platform from which it could be lifted and heard by all.
From her simple dream, The Black Theatre Troupe, Inc. was born and is now a nationally celebrated company. It was founded as a vehicle for providing a creative environment in which restless, talented young "rappers" could realize their creative potential as writers, dancers, artists and actors while promoting cultural understanding throughout the community.
It has since grown to be an important cultural bridge between races and ethnicities through its productions. Beginning as a humble "grassroots' organization The Black Theatre Troupe, Inc. has evolved into a highly respected company that has promoted excellence in the performing arts with an emphasis on people of color. As the only professional African-American theatre company within the four-corner states, The Black Theatre Troupe conducts educational workshops and produces quality plays which reflect the African-American experience and help to illuminate the culture to the Phoenix metropolitan area and throughout Arizona.
