Theater company based in New Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S.
Crossroads Theatre is an American residence theater company inNew Brunswick, New Jersey, focused on the Black American experience and the African diaspora. It is in residence at the newly builtNew Brunswick Performing Arts Center, which opened in the city's Civic Square in 2019.[1]
Crossroads Theater, as a Black theater company, is focused on celebrating the culture, artistry and voices of the African Diaspora.[2] Founded in 1978, it was the winner of the 1999Regional Theatre Tony Award.[3]
Ricardo Khan and Lee K. Richardson met at Rutgers University while studying for their Masters of Fine Art degree. After graduating in 1977, they founded the company in 1978.[4] With help from George Street Playhouse and grant money from theCETA program, the theater began performing in New Brunswick and became New Jersey's first professional Black repertory theatre.[5][6] By 1985, it was thriving and had 1,300 subscribers.[7]
The company made an effort to appeal to a multiracial audience and while it started out focusing more on revivals, by 1985 Artistic Director Lee Richardson was prioritizing new plays, saying: "it's time to focus on the new."[8]
In 2000, it unexpectedly ceased operations temporarily, but with the return of Rick Khan and help in retiring its debt it was able to resume operations.[9]
Since its founding, Crossroads has produced more than 100 works, many of which were premiere productions by African and African-American artists.
Crossroads' world premieres includeThe Colored Museum, which originated at Crossroads in 1986 and was then seen by millions on national public television, when it was produced for WNET's "Great Performances", andSpunk, both by Tony Award-winnerGeorge C. Wolfe.
Since its founding, Crossroads has produced more than 100 works, including many premiere productions by African and African-American artists. Crossroads' productions include:
The Colored Museum (byGeorge C. Wolfe), (world premiere) originated at Crossroads in 1986 and later appeared on television as one of WNETs "Great Performances"
Black Eagles by Leslie Lee, a historic chronicle of theTuskegee Airmen of World War II
Sheila's Day, the cultural collaboration of six South African and six African-American women, written bySarafina! creatorMbongeni Ngema, that toured the US. Britain and South Africa after its run on the Crossroads stage
Nomathemba, a musical by Ntozake Shange and Joseph Shabalala, founder and leader of Grammy Award-winning South African recording artistsLadysmith Black Mambazo
Two Hah Hahs and a Homeboy, written by and starring Ruby Dee together withOssie Davis and their son, musicianGuy Davis.
