Making Space at the Armory

Black Theater Advance

Co-presented with National Black Theatre

Making Space at the Armory

Black Theater Advance

Co-presented with National Black Theatre

September 6, 2025

Various Spaces

Building on a multi-year initiative to catalyze growth and permanence for Black theaters across the nation, this dynamic salon tackles the issues facing us all in reimagining the future of American theater as a space for bold artistic expression and social change. Through conversations, activations, and manifestos, the event manifests the vision and voices of Black theater makers, with innovative approaches to storytelling, amplifying diverse voices, community engagement, and institutional transformation.

Gallery

  • National Black Theatre CEO Sade Lythcott in the Veterans Room.
    Photo: Alexander Sargent

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  • Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell in conversation with Sade Lythcott in the Veterans Room.
    Photo: Alexander Sargent

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  • Black Theater Advance attendees—including Broadway actress and producer Adrienne Warren, New York Theatre Workshop Artistic Director Patricia McGregor, vocalist and producer Nona Hendryx, and Harlem Stage CEO Pat Cruz, among others—participate in a workshop.
    Photo: Alexander Sargent

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  • Obie award-winning actress and writer Nikkole Salter leads a workshop titled "Ecosystem Building" in the Veterans Room.
    Photo: Alexander Sargent

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  • Black Theater Advance attendees present collaborative findings from a workshop in the Veterans Room.
    Photo: Alexander Sargent

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  • Spoken word artist, writer, and cultural strategist Marc Bamuthi Joseph in conversation with Apollo Theater Executive Producer Kamilah Forbes in the Veterans Room.
    Photo: Alexander Sargent

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  • Multidisciplinary artist, director, and cultural strategist Ebony Noelle Golden leads a workshop titled "Building a Black Theater Bill of Rights" in the Veterans Room.
    Photo: Alexander Sargent

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  • New York-based singer, songwriter, and educator Nicholas Ryan Gant in the Veterans Room.
    Photo: Alexander Sargent

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  • Award-winning performer and playwright Jordan E. Cooper and National Black Theatre Executive Artistic Director Jonathan McCrory in the Veterans Room.
    Photo: Alexander Sargent

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Related Videos

  • Highlights | Black Theater Advance

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  • Creative Offering, Opening Remarks, Keynote with Mary Schmidt Campbell | Black Theater Advance

    2/6

  • Workshop: Ecosystem Building with Nikkole Salter | Black Theater Advance

    3/6

  • Fireside Chat with Kamilah Forbes and Marc Bamuthi Joseph | Black Theater Advance

    4/6

  • Workshop: Building a Black Theatre Bill of Rights with Ebony Noelle Golden | Black Theater Advance

    5/6

  • Creative Offering, Keynote Address and Fireside Chat with Jordan E. Cooper | Black Theater Advance

    6/6

Support

Making Space at the Armory is made possible with support from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF).

Public support is provided by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature as well as the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council under the leadership of Speaker Adrienne Adams.

  • NYSCA - Sponsor Logo - SVG
  • DCA - Sponsor Logo - SVG