The Classical Theatre of Harlem (CTH) will celebrate its 25th anniversary season in 2024, which will include a free Shakespeare in the Park Season. An annual offering in Marcus Garvey Park, CTH's uptown series will be NYC's only free summer Shakespeare in the Park series as The Public's annual offering will be dark as Central Park's Delacorte Theatre undergoes refurbishments.
The highlight of the new season will be a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by Carl Cofield. Staged July 6 through 28, 2024 in Marcus Garvey Park, the production will play the Richard Rodgers Amphitheater. Cofield's production restages Shakespeare's classic in the height of the Harlem Renaissance.
“We believe in the power of live theatre to bring communities together, and we're excited to create a magical, enchanting experience that celebrates Harlem’s rich legacy,” says Ty Jones, the producing artistic director of CTH. “Next year, NYC will begin the celebration of its 400th birthday. This will be our love letter to the concrete jungle where Midsummer Night’s Dreams are made of... CTH has been part of the fabric of Harlem for a quarter of a century—and the fact that CTH will be providing the only free “Shakespeare in the Park'' in New York City in its 25th season, sets the stage for a transformative summer. With excellence being our North Star, we are approaching 2024 with an empire state of mind, grounded in culture, care, commerce and community.”
The company will host a stage dreading of Right-Write to Heal November 2, which will also include a reception and talkback with Columbia University’s Center for Justice performed by women who were all previously incarcerated. CTH will host Brandon Victor Dixon for Here For The Holidays December 18, an evening of Christmas cabaret.
Beginning in the New Year, CTH will host a benefit poker tournament, Hold 'Em In Harlem, where poker, silent auctions, and other games will raise funds for their year-round programming. The benefit will be held May 23, 2024. Finally, September 2024 will see The Getty Villa and CTH teaming up to present the world premiere of Memnon, written by Will Power and directed by Carl Cofield, which will bring the story of Ethiopia’s powerful king to life as he answers the call to defend Troy.
For more information, visit CTHNYC.org.
