CHARITY SPOTLIGHT {giving back}
THE MAKING OF A MOVEMENT The Black Theatre Troupe is doing some of the community’s most vital theater By Karen Werner
THE STORY The Black Theatre Troupe began as a way to alleviate some of the racial tensions of the late 1960s and early 70s that were brewing in most major U.S. cities. In an effort to serve the community, Helen K. Mason, a supervisor in the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department, was asked to design and implement a program that might head off the riots that had plagued other cities. 42 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | FEBRUARY 2020
What started as a series of open-door “rap sessions” for minorities blossomed into an inclusive theater troupe that has gone on to play an essential role in Phoenix’s development. “It was formed on a platform of activism and a belief that it was important to share the African-American experience,” said David Hemphill, the executive director of Black Theatre Troupe. “It is also a notable bridge to unite all cultures through stories — all of the company’s productions have universal themes and appeal.”
