In 1821’s New York City, a white theatre owner tries to stop a Black theatre company’s production of “Richard III,” but their courage was a dye no tyranny could bleach. They had the talent, the audience, and the script. They just weren’t allowed to perform it!
New York City in 1821, six years before slavery ended in the state of New York. Free Black entrepreneur William Henry Brown, who once served drinks to white patrons, started serving Shakespeare instead at America’s first Black theatre.
Brown’s African Grove Theatre had already won mixed crowds with its production of "Othello," but its rehearsals for "Richard III" crossed an invisible line—especially with British star Junius Brutus Booth (father of John Wilkes Booth) performing the same role for whites-only audiences at the prestigious Park Theatre.
Police disrupted rehearsals. Audiences were harassed. The theatre was repeatedly attacked. Though it had proven its mastery of Shakespeare with other productions, the Black company’s "Richard III" was silenced before opening night—a cultural casualty in America’s slow march toward emancipation.
"The African Company Presents Richard III" is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection.
Cast
Kristin Sandford – Ann Johnson
Wyatt Doremus – The Constable
Kevin Shinnick - Stephen Price
Aceyon Owens - William Henry Brown
Kesha Hartzog - Sarah
Doug Curry - Papa Shakespeare
Wanai Simmons - James Hewlett
About the Companies
A Black repertory theater, {theater}+{náfsi} produces artistic performances that illuminate the human condition through the prism of people from the African Diaspora (African-American, African, Afro-Latino, etc.). Náfsi means soul in Swahili; therefore, its name is also its mantra: Theater with Soul!
Rochester Community Players, now celebrating its 100th season in 2025, is the oldest community theatre in Rochester, the second-oldest in New York state, and among the oldest continuously operating community theatres in the United States.