Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Alvin Ailey’s Memoria with Ailey II and students of The Ailey School. Photo by Paul Kolnik
Philadelphia has a long and rich storied history. Known to be the birthplace of the United States where the founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence and drafted the United States Constitution, it also boasts of several historic sites like the Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell Centre, the Independence National Historic Park, the Fireman’s Hall, Old City Hall, Franklin’s Court, Athenaeum of Philadelphia, amongst many other notable sites.
Along with Philadelphia being recognized as the birthplace of the United States, it also shares a reputation as one of the vanguards for the growth of Black history through the role it played in the fight for the emancipation of slaves, the abolitionist movement, and the famous underground railroad activity which led to the freedom of many slaves.
Historical sites like the Underground Railroad, the Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, the African American Museum in Philadelphia, the 1688 Germantown Quaker petition, and the Marian Anderson Historical Residence and Museum, among several others. Each site speaks of the rich Black history of the city of Philadelphia.
Aside from the several Black history sites in Philadelphia, the city is also known to boast of institutions that are committed to not only portraying Black history but also committed to sustaining its legacy by deepening the proper representation and education of Black history.
One such institution is Philadelphia’s Theatre of Performing Arts.
Historically, the first Theatre of Arts was founded in 1808. Known as Walnut Theatre of Arts, it formally began as a circus before transitioning into a theatre. It is one of the nation’s oldest theatres and the official state theatre for the state of Pennsylvania.
As the influence of the Walnut Theatre of Arts continued to grow, attracting patronage across Philadelphia with shows that entertained, it spurred up the establishment of other Theatres of Arts especially those owned by African Americans such as the Dunbar Theatre founded in 1919, the New Freedom Theatre founded in 1966, the Royal Theatre as well as others.
The effort to give more representation to talents of African American origin, provide a platform to tell their own stories compared to the misrepresentation by White artists. As pointed out by Britannica, one of the oldest encyclopedias, “The minstrel shows of the early 19th century are believed by some to be the roots of Black theater, but they initially were written by White people, acted by White performers in Blackface, and performed for White audiences. After the American Civil War, Black actors began to perform in minstrel shows (then called “Ethiopian minstrelsy”), and by the turn of the 20th century they were producing Black musicals, many of which were written, produced, and acted entirely by African Americans”
More importantly, having a place where they would be welcomed by several of the driving forces that led to the establishment of African American Theatres. As it would be pointed out by Charles Hardy when writing for ExplorPAhistory.com on E.C Brown, one of the founding members of Dunbar Theatre, “Brown still winced when he recalled how Philadelphia’s Forrest Theater had refused to let him enter, because he was Black”
Over time, the number of theatres of African American origin not only grew but flourished. Black-owned theatres began to appear not only in Philadelphia but across America introducing talents such as Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis.
In this 21st century and with a lot of advancement in race relations, Philadelphia’s numerous theatres of arts have incorporated more Black artists and showcased performances that delved into Black history, showcasing not only the struggles of African Americans but also the rich history and culture of the people thereby serving as both a platform for creative expression and deepening Black history.
Historical plays that delved into the underground railroad movement, Martin Luther King, Fredrick Douglas, Malcolm X, and other heroes of the civil rights movement have helped audiences better understand the struggles of a generation that they were not privy to experience.
By bridging the past with the present, these theatres of arts have not only kept alive the contemporary issues of the African American struggle but also kept on the front burner of the continuous conversations on how to build a more progressive society beyond race and identity.
Okechukwu Nzeribe works with the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, in Anambra State, Nigeria, and loves unveiling the richness of African cultures. okechukwu.onicima@gmail.com
