Black Theatre United Gala Celebrates Broadway’s Black Excellence and the Work Still Ahead
By: Bill Allen
NEW YORK — Black Theatre United (BTU) celebrated the contributions of Black artists, advocates and industry leaders to American theater during its fourth annual gala Monday, Oct. 5, at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in Manhattan.
With the theme “Work To Do,” this year’s gala highlighted the continued effort required to create, protect and sustain opportunities for Black and brown artists in American theater. The event also celebrated the lasting influence of Black culture on Broadway and honored those who have championed greater representation and equity in the industry.
The evening recognized three distinguished figures whose work has helped shape the entertainment landscape. George Cheeks, chairman of Paramount’s TV Media division, received the Accountability Award; Academy Award-nominated actor Delroy Lindo was presented with the Advocacy Award; and Tony and Academy Award-winning costume designer Paul Tazewell received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Beyond celebrating artistic achievement, the gala served as a fundraiser for Black Theatre United’s educational, professional development and community initiatives. Proceeds will support programs designed to expand access and create opportunities for emerging and established theater professionals.
Among the initiatives are the BTU Rise Marketing and Press Internship, which supports aspiring professionals interested in theater publicity and marketing; The New Deal for Broadway; the Business of Show discussion series; Community Town Hall events; the BTU Designer Initiative; the Marva Hicks Musical Theatre Scholarship; and BTU’s Broadway Bound Educational Program.
Founded by Black theater artists and industry leaders, Black Theatre United works to advance inclusion, equity and opportunity throughout the theater industry. Its programs seek to address barriers to access while helping cultivate the next generation of artists and theater professionals.
The gala’s theme, “Work To Do,” served as a reminder that celebrating Black excellence is only part of the mission. Sustaining that progress requires continued investment, advocacy and institutional support to ensure Black
and brown artists can build careers, tell their stories and thrive on Broadway and beyond.
Through its annual gala and year-round programming, Black Theatre United continues to champion the artists and advocates working to make American theater more representative of the communities and cultures that shape it.
