Providence Black Repertory Company records (Ms.2018.012)

Biographical/Historical Note

The Providence Black Repertory Company (Black Rep) was an arts non-profit and cultural space focussed on the people and cultures of the African Diaspora, and including members of all communities of color. It was founded in 1996 by Donald "Don" King and closed in 2009. During its existance, the Black Rep's stated mission was to present theater, education and public programs for Rhode Island and the larger national and international community.

King founded the Black Rep after hosting public theater workshops called "Xxodus featuring Miss Fannie's Soul Food Kitchen" and "Round Midnight: A Rapper's Delight," at local arts institution AS220. Originally located at 131 Washington Street in Providence, Black Rep raised funds to renovate and relocate to the Wit Building at 276 Westminster street. The renovation, designed by Providence designer Kyla Coburn, was completed in 2002. It included theater and club space, and a cafe and lounge space named Xxodus Cafe.

The theatrical aspect of the Black Rep hosted formal theatrical productions, workshops, and readings of newer work. Productions at the Black Rep included plays from the African American theatrical canon like Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun (2002) and Baraka's The Dutchman (2004); the works of Rhode Island playwrights, including Mixed Magic Theatre co-founder Ricardo Pitts-Wiley and Brown University Rites and Reason alumna Rose Weaver; readings of plays; and workshop productions of plays.

Holding in-house, in-school and afterschool programs, the Black Rep's education and outreach arm connected youth with Rhode Island artists.Black Rep collaborated frequently with outside organizations and institutions, among them Brown University's Rites and Reason Theatre, the Rhode Island School of Design Museum, and numerous local schools and youth programs.

The Black Rep organized public programs like open mic nights, spotlights of local artists, and weekly music nights. Black Rep also hosted community events including, the Rhode Island fashion designer Karen Beebe, the National Black Theatre Festival, the Providence Jazz and Blues Festival, and an afternoon with B.B. King. From 2004-2009 the Black Rep hosted Sound Session, a large summer music festival. The festival was a collaboration between Providence Black Reperatory Company and the City of Providence Department of Art, Culture, and Tourism and had thousands of attendees. Inspired by the Providence Rhythm and Blues Festival, Sound Session has since developed into PVDFest, an arts and culture festival in downtown Providence, run as of 2022 by the Providence Arts Culture and Tourism department.

The Black Rep was supported by local and national institutions like Fleet Bank, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Hasbro, CVS/Pharmacy, and Citizens Bank. It also recieved grants including ones from the Wallace Foundation, Rhode Island Foundation, Rhode Island Council on the Arts, Rhode Island Council for the Humanities, and the National Edowment for the Arts.

During its existence the Providence Black Repertory Company recieved awards including the New England Theatre Conference Regional Award for Outstanding Achievement in American Theatre, the Arts & Business Council of RI Jabez Gorham Award for Most Outstanding Arts Organization, and a City of Providence Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Hall of Fame Nomination.

In 2009, faced with economic downturn, tax debt, sustainability concerns and high-cost building repairs, the organization lead a campaign to "Save Our Season," but eventually went into recievership and folded.