HARLEM, N.Y. (PIX11) – It’s the uptown version of Shakespeare in the park.
The Classical Theatre of Harlem is hugely popular with those who attend its free performances in Marcus Garvey Park each summer.
But now CTH is losing its federal funding.
“We may need to be filling a gap before rehearsals start,” Ty Jones, the producing artistic director, told PIX11 News.
The head of the Classical Theatre of Harlem showed PIX11 the email.
The National Endowment for the Arts was terminating its $60,000 grant effective May 31st.
The NEA said it wants to “ focus funding on projects that reflect the nation’s rich, artistic heritage and creativity as prioritized by the president.”
“In times of crisis, we have to make sure those whom you lead don’t panic,” Jones told PIX11 News. “So we strategize, we lead, we organize, we execute,” he added.
The Classical Theatre of Harlem is best known for its free uptown Shakespeare in Marcus Garvey Park performances every July.
Last summer, more than 30,000 people saw their contemporary take on A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Over the last 25 years, it’s estimated that the Classical Theatre of Harlem gives $600,000 back to the community each year through supporting actors, vendors, and others behind the scenes.
Actor Ethan Hawke, a CTH board member, spoke out about the federal funding cut.
“This company presents great theatre that speaks directly to the heart of Harlem and far beyond. It builds community. It tells stories that matter. The loss of funding from the National Endowment for the Arts is more than unfortunate — it’s harmful.”
But Jones, an award-winning Broadway and TV actor, feels confident that the Harlem community will support CTH.
“The power of the people is always stronger than the people in power,” Jones told PIX11 News. “So we are out in our community. We’ve reached out to some foundations and folks have stepped up,” he added.
A fundraiser for the Classical Theatre of Harlem will be held at the Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel on May 22 at 6 PM. It’ll be a poker tournament called Hold ‘Em in Harlem.
English (US) ·