Classical Theatre of Harlem

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The Classical Theatre of Harlem is a professional theatre company founded in 1999 by Christopher McElroen and Alfred Preisser. The company aims to bring the classics (not just 'Classical' plays) to Harlem, as it has been in the past. Since its founding, the CTH has put on over 36 productions, including "The Cherry Orchard," "Waiting for Godot" (with Wendell Pierce from "The Wire"), Macbeth, Ain't Supposed To Die A Natural Death, The Blacks: A Clown Show, Caligula, and various other for which the company has received numerous AUDELCO and OBIE Drama Desk amd Lucille Lortell nominations and awards.

The Classical Theatre of Harlem is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation. In 2005, the theater was among 406 New York City arts and social service institutions to receive part of a $20 million grant from the Carnegie Corporation, which was made possible through a donation by New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg. [1] [2]

[edit] Mission

To maintain a professional theatre company dedicated to returning the “classics” to the stages of Harlem; To create employment and educational outreach opportunities in the theatre arts for the Harlem community; To create and nurture a new, young, and culturally diverse audience for the “classics”; and To heighten the awareness of theater and of great art in Harlem, thus helping to re-establish Harlem as a theatrical Mecca.