When we step out of our day-to-day lives to sit together in a theater, we are joined in a creative community network that stirs the sense of belonging and caring about where we have been and where we are headed.” 

Jennifer L. Nelson - African Continuum Theatre's former artistic director

 

History

 

African Continuum Theatre is the only professional black theatre company in Washington, DC.  It was conceived in 1989 as a Coalition formed to assist the various small black community theatres improve the quality and visibility of their work.  In 1995, the Coalition transitioned into a theatre company whose primary mission was to produce professional caliber plays for the general community that would entertain, enlighten and educate from an African American perspective. 

 

In its eleven seasons, African Continuum Theatre has produced over 30 productions.  Its plays have included such time tested favorites as Lorraine Hansberry’s  A Raisin in the Sun, and James Baldwin’s Amen Corner.  Additionally the Company has produced many award winning premieres by new African American playwrights, including Jennifer L. Nelson’s award winning Torn from the Headlines and David Emerson Toney’s Kingdom. 

African Continuum Theatre has received numerous forms of recognition, including 14 Helen Hayes Awards nominations, 3 Helen Hayes Awards, the Washington Post Award for Distinguished Service to the Community, and a Mayor’s Arts Award. In 2005, the African Continuum Theatre became resident theatre of the Atlas Performing Arts Center, a new facility that is helping to revitalize H Street, NE - an historically African American community still rebuilding from the devastation from the 1960’s race riots.