Black Theatre United (BTU) has announced three new initiatives to support Black artists and create more opportunity for their careers in the theater industry. These include: the Designers Initiative, the Marva Hicks Musical Theatre and the Education Program. BTU founders mentioned these new programs during the organization’s second annual gala, held on Sept. 30 at the Ziegfeld Ballroom. Further details have just been announced.
The Designers Initiative is a comprehensive three-part program designed to educate and empower artists of color in theater design. Beginning this fall, a series of mini-documentaries, titled “Before the Curtain Rises: The Designers Series,” will debut on BTU’s YouTube channel and social platforms. These episodes will highlight the backgrounds and creative processes of theater designers.
Later this month, the BTU Hub will launch; it will be an online database to provide information on scholarships, internships, grants, residencies and educational opportunities in theater design all in one consolidated place. Developed with input from BTU’s Designer Think Tank, this resource aims to consolidate available opportunities for both emerging and established designers.
In the summer of 2025, BTU will host a design expo. This event will connect designers across various fields with panels, discussions, presentations and portfolio reviews, and is being developed in collaboration with a leading New York research and performance institution.
Next, in memory of celebrated actor Marva Hicks, BTU has established the Marva Hicks Musical Theatre Scholarship, which will provide $10,000 annually to a deserving student studying musical theater at Howard University. This scholarship, awarded based on financial need and merit, will support one student each year for four years. The inaugural recipient is rising sophomore Keehnon Jackson from LeHigh Acres, Florida, who has demonstrated exceptional talent and academic achievement.
Finally, BTU is also starting a comprehensive educational initiative aimed at underserved public schools in New York City. This program will offer a theater production curriculum that encompasses set design, lighting, character development and costume design in alignment with New York State ELA standards. At the program’s conclusion, students will lead their own production. Additionally, BTU will host a Broadway Career Day, featuring industry professionals who will discuss career paths and provide resources.
BTU co-founder Norm Lewis the program told Broadway News that the program “is dealing with the middle school [age students] because we think elementary school is a little too soon, high school has made up their minds a little bit, but that junior high is that pocket. We started about a month ago and it’s been great to encourage kids to get into theater — no matter what aspect of it.” Lewis spoke to Broadway News at the nonprofit’s 2024 gala. In terms of BTU’s overall growth, Lewis added, “We’re still on our trajectory of our New Deal, but also our mentee/mentor program has grown exponentially.”
Current BTU president and co-founder LaChanze seconded her pride in the accomplishments of BTU over the past year. When asked what about her goal for BTU’s future, LaChanze told Broadway News, “[My] greatest hope ultimately is that we don't need a Black Theatre United. That we don’t need to silo ourselves to support one culture, that we can all support all the cultures together but that everyone is excellent. ... We’re all equal. That’s my goal, but in the meantime we’re going to stand in the gap.“
Formed in 2020, BTU is dedicated to creating pathways of access and opportunity for Black artists and industry professionals who have historically faced marginalization in the theater community.
With its 2024 gala event, BTU raised over $1.2 million to fund its programs. The event, titled “Generations of Excellence,” honored distinguished figures in the arts, including renowned conductor and composer Linda Twine, who received the 2024 Accountability Award; Meta’s Chief Diversity Officer Maxine Williams, recipient of the 2024 Advocacy Award; and artist Alicia Keys, honored with the 2024 Aspire Award.
In addition to LaChanze and Lewis, BTU was founded by Lisa Dawn Cave, Darius de Haas, Carin Ford, Capathia Jenkins, Kenny Leon, Audra McDonald, Michael McElroy, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Wendell Pierce, Billy Porter, Anna Deavere Smith, Allyson Tucker, Tamara Tunie, Lillias White, NaTasha Yvette Williams, Schele Williams and Vanessa Williams.
