SHAKESPEARE RESIDENCY
The Classical Theatre of Harlem
This year Duke Performances welcome the Classical Theatre of Harlem for a special two-week residency at Duke. Dedicated to the neighborhood above 125th Street, the Classical Theatre of Harlem believes that the western canon’s most difficult drama, staged fearlessly, can honor the vitality of the community that produces it.
With a shelf of Obies, twelve AUDELCO awards for excellence in Black Theater, and a listing as one of the Drama League’s eight “theaters to watch in America,” the company has earned acclaim for its ability to infuse aggressive concepts with local commitment.
The New York Times calls them “fearless and resourceful,” and their artistic director, Alfred Preisser explains why. “We like big theater,” he says, “plays with large ideas.” But this Harlem-based company is also a community-building project: its mission is to create tough, ambitious theater for the real people in the neighborhood that houses it.
During its two week November residency at Duke, the company brings its commitment South. Under the auspices of Duke Performances, the Theatre will reach out with master classes to students around the Triangle.
A run of two acclaimed performances at Reynolds will showcase the CTH’s ability to stage the highest order of drama without compromise.
New York Times on the Classical Theatre of Harlem:
"[A] giant-killer of a company, the Classical Theatre of Harlem is a troupe that makes a habit of locating the most challenging works in the canon and knocking them off as if with a slingshot."
--New York Times
Classical Theatre of Harlem on the web: