Gala Opening to be Held February 28 for Historic Exhibit Celebrating t

    Business Editors/Theatre Writers/Community Editors

    NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 24, 2005--A public gala opening sponsored by Citibank at the Museum of the City of New York will be held on Monday, February 28, 2005, beginning at 7:00PM for Community Works' new public art exhibit, harlem is... Theater. The exhibit honors Harlem's contemporary black theater community and runs at the Museum from February 8, 2005-April 6, 2005. Media are invited to cover this event and attend a VIP reception taking place at the Museum beginning at 5:30PM.
    harlem is...Theater celebrates the rich legacy of the Harlem theater movement from the founding of African Grove Theatre in 1821 to the present. The exhibit tells the story of early black theaters, highlights theaters from the Harlem Renaissance, and identifies the current theatrical stakeholders who are preserving and building on this powerful legacy. harlem is...Theater includes statements and profiles from current directors and producers who make Harlem theater what it is today. The exhibit also includes student reflections on the power of theater in Harlem.
    During the gala opening of harlem is... Theater on February 28, special tribute will be given to the legends of the American Negro Theater -- Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Gertrude Jeannette, Clarice Taylor, Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte. Guests are invited to a special viewing of the exhibit, a tribute to the honorees, and spectacular theatrical performances on multiple levels of the museum, including music director Ray Chew and his band, Tina Fabrique, Wendi Joy Franklin, Chester Gregory, IMPACT Repertory Theatre, Joey Morant, James Stovall and Clarice Taylor. Cliff Frazier will serve as master of ceremonies.
    harlem is... Theater honoree Gertrude Jeannette, former member of the American Negro Theater and founder of The H.A.D.L.E.Y. Players said, "I'm thrilled to be part of this historic gathering of current black theater directors and producers. All of us are carrying on the traditions of the American Negro Theater of the 1940s."
    The gala opening event is sponsored by Citibank and produced by Community Works (Barbara Horowitz, Founder and President) in association with New Heritage Theatre Group (Voza Rivers, Executive Producer).
    "'harlem Is ...' has created a tradition that engages our young people in an educational experience that fosters leadership and builds pride in our local community," said John Stewart, Business Manager for Citibank North. At Citibank, where we are dedicated to helping make the communities where we do business better places, we are pleased this evening to award Community Works a $25,000 grant from the Citigroup Foundation in support of their fine efforts."

harlem is... Theater honors the theaters and individuals listed below. Biographies of the honorees are available upon request.

harlem is... Theater highlights: African Grove Theatre WPA Federal Theatre Project Harlem Unit Rose McClendon Players American Negro Theatre New Lafayette Theatre New Heritage Theatre Group

harlem is... Theater honors: Faison Firehouse Theatre George Faison, Co-Founder/Artistic Director Tad Schnugg, Executive Director

Blackberry Productions Stephanie Berry, Founder/Co-Artistic Director John-Martin Green, Co-Artistic Director

Frederick Douglass Creative Arts Center Ray Gaspard, President

The H.A.D.L.E.Y. Players Gertrude Jeannette, Founder/CEO

New Federal Theatre National Black Touring Circuit Woodie King, Jr., Founder/Producing Director

Harlem Theatre Company James Pringle, Founder

National Black Theatre Institute of Action Arts Barbara Ann Teer, Founder/CEO

Frank Silvera Writers' Workshop Garland Lee Thompson, Sr., Co-Founder/Executive Director

Mama Foundation for the Arts Vy Higginsen and Ken Wydro, Co-Writers, Co-Producers, Co-Directors

New Heritage Theatre Group Voza Rivers, Founding Member/Executive Producer Jamal Joseph, Executive Artistic Director

    Following the gala premiere, the exhibit will be open to the public at the Museum of the City of New York located at 1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street until April 6th before beginning a city-wide tour. The exhibit will be open Tuesday through Sunday, 10am to 5pm with museum admission.
    harlem is... Theater is the newest component of harlem is..., Community Works' landmark public art exhibition that celebrates the rich history, culture and individuals of this world renowned community. harlem is... was created through the lens of Harlem public school students who researched and documented local Harlem heroes and neighborhoods. Launched in February 2003, this celebrated multilayered exhibition has traveled throughout Upper Manhattan. In December 2004, it embarked on a tour to major cultural, historical and faith-based institutions in Downtown Manhattan. To date harlem is... has reached over 150,000 students and community members.
    The programs of Community Works, a leading arts and education organization founded in New York City in 1990, build community and celebrate diversity in cities across the U.S. through art, education, and shared history, culture and dialogue.
    harlem is... Theater educational components include guided tours, performing arts presentations and a public program series.

    For photographs or further information on "harlem is... Theater," to arrange interviews with the honorees, to obtain a schedule of harlem is... Theater special events or to learn about our group tours, contact Community Works at 212-459-1854 or visit our website at www.communityworksnyc.org.

--30--RC/ny*

CONTACT: Media Contacts: Community Works Jessie Solomon-Greenbaum, 212-459-1854 or Citibank Helen Steblecki, 718-248-4694

KEYWORD: NEW YORK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TELEVISION/RADIO CABLE MOTION PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT CONSUMER/HOUSEHOLD SOURCE: Citigroup

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