By HWM
National Black Theatre is giving theater lovers a chance to get unusually close to the action — and maybe even become part of Harlem arts history in the process.
Under the leadership of CEO Sade Lythcott and Executive Artistic Director Jonathan McCrory, the legendary Harlem institution has launched its brand-new “Founding Members Circle,” a limited membership program designed to deepen community investment in Black theater while giving supporters insider-level access to productions and cultural events.
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National Black Theatre membership packages start at $150 and are available now.
According to the organization, the Founding Members Circle is aimed at building something bigger than a standard ticket-buying audience. Instead, NBT says it wants to create a community of cultural stewards who will help support the future of Black storytelling while gaining access to some of the theater’s most anticipated productions and behind-the-scenes experiences.
The launch comes as the theater prepares for its 2025-2026 season, titled “The Alchemy of Return: Remembering is a Radical Act.”
Members will receive early access to MainStage and Broadway productions connected to the season, including “Imitation of Life,” a highly anticipated co-production with The Shed.
And there is an extra perk for early adopters.
The first 100 founding members — across all membership levels — will also receive a one-year membership to The Shed, one of New York City’s biggest multidisciplinary arts spaces.
Other benefits include invitations to exclusive cultural events, artist conversations, community programming, and recognition as a founding supporter in theater playbills and on the organization’s website.
“National Black Theatre has always been a home for visionary storytelling and bold cultural imagination,” Lythcott said in a statement announcing the program.
“The Founding Member Circle is an invitation to our community to stand with us at the forefront of this next chapter and to help champion groundbreaking new works, deepen access to transformative artistic experiences, and invest directly in the future of Black theatre.”
Founded by the late Dr. Barbara Ann Teer, National Black Theatre has long served as one of Harlem’s most influential cultural institutions, known for producing work centered on Black identity, spirituality, liberation, and innovation.
Now, the organization is betting theater fans are ready to do more than watch from the audience.
Membership packages are currently available through the theater’s official site.
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