The Classical Theatre of Harlem

For The Classical Theatre of Harlem (@classicalharlem ), there is nothing more important than the vibrant connection between community and theatre. Founded in 1999, CTH brings the classics directly into the heart of today’s Harlem, uplifting local voices and showcasing the transformative power of heightened language. With their Summer Uptown Shakespeare in the Park, every performance is free, and every person is welcome. The diversity on their stage is a direct reflection of their audience, proving that the stories they tell—no matter how old—belong to everyone. In this episode, we follow CTH for their summer 2025 production of Memnon, a new take on a once-obscure Greek tragedy. You’ll hear from the bold leadership team of Ty Jones and Carl Cofield, get an inside look into the process of celebrated actress Andrea Patterson, and witness how they bring thousands of New Yorkers together in the shared joy of art, theatre, and community. #WorkingInTheTheatre #ClassicalTheatreHarlem #FreeShakespeareUptown

We’re thrilled to welcome Laolu Senbanjo, otherwise known as "Laolu NYC" to Hold ’Em in Harlem. A Nigerian-born, Brooklyn-based multidisciplinary artist, Laolu’s work spans visual art, music, performance, activism, cultural ambassadorship, and human rights law. Guided by the belief that everything can be a canvas, he brings Yoruba heritage and his signature Sacred Art of the Ori to paper, walls, bodies, buildings, and beyond. His work has been featured in Beyoncé’s Grammy-winning Lemonade visual album and experienced by artists and cultural figures including Beyoncé, Burna Boy, Serena Williams, Alicia Keys, Lupita Nyong’o, Swizz Beatz, Bad Bunny, J Balvin, and more. Join us as Laolu brings his visionary presence to a night of poker, community, and support for The Classical Theatre of Harlem. Get tickets at cthnyc.org and at the link in our bio.

We're dealing in another heavy hitter at Hold 'Em in Harlem: Chance Kelly is joining us at the table. You know him as Lt. Col. "Godfather" Ferrando in HBO's Generation Kill, a role so commanding the U.S. Marine Corps made him an honorary Marine. Add American Sniper, Fringe, Banshee, Ray Donovan, For Life, House of Cards, The Blacklist — and a former Superheavyweight boxing champ underneath it all. Translation: this is not a man you bluff lightly. On May 21, he's swapping the war room for the card room. Are you ready to call? 🃏 Hold 'Em in Harlem 📅 Wednesday, May 21 | 6–11 PM 📍 The Renaissance Harlem Hotel, 233 W 125th St 🎟️ Link in bio and cthnyc.org #HoldEmInHarlem #CTH #ClassicalTheatreOfHarlem

We're thrilled to announce that Jamila Ponton Bragg, Broadway producer, founder of JamRock Productions, and Managing Member of the Broadway Women's Fund , is joining us as a special guest at Hold 'Em in Harlem. Get your tickets now at cthnyc.org or in our bio. If you've sat in a Broadway house in the last few years, you've seen her work. Tony-nominated FAT HAM. The recent revivals of THE WIZ and GYPSY. DEATH OF A SALESMAN. PASS OVER. SOUL TRAIN and more. Through JamRock, she's built a company devoted to work for women, about women, and by women. Through the Broadway Women's Fund, she's putting capital and infrastructure behind the producers reshaping the industry. And as a 2022–23 Prince Fellow at Columbia, she's part of the lineage carrying Harold Prince's legacy forward. She also happens to be our neighbor, a proud Harlem resident who believes in this community and the institutions that serve it. #harlem #poker #tournament #gala #theater

The Women in the Arts & Media Coalition is hosting a Legal Clinic “Acquiring Underlying Rights” on Monday May 11th 6pm — and it’s open to everyone. If you’re developing a project in the city, here’s something worth knowing: most writers, directors, and producers don’t realize they don’t own the rights to their own work until it’s too late. This clinic breaks down exactly that — books, scripts, life rights, deal structure — in plain language, before things get complicated. This kind of guidance can save a project before it even gets off the ground. Tickets: $20–$25 | Spots are limited, so grab yours early! /en-US/ticketing/legal-clinic @womeninartsnetwork

We're thrilled to announce that Roy Wood Jr., comedian, host, Daily Show alum, and one of the sharpest voices in American comedy, is joining us as a special guest at Hold 'Em in Harlem. Sign up at cthnyc.org/poker26 (link in bio). WHEN: Thursday, May 21, 2026 from 6 - 11 PM Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel Ballroom 233 W 125th Street, New York #poker #nyc #harlem #gala #uptown #arts @roywoodjr

We're honored to announce that John Andrew Morrison, the Tony-nominated, Obie-winning, scene-stealing force of the American stage, is joining us as a special guest at Hold 'Em in Harlem! Theatre lovers, this one's for you. Poker players, fair warning: actors are very good at bluffing. Think you can beat him at a hand? Get your tickets today (link in bio or cthnyc.org/poker26) WHEN: Thursday, May 21, 2026 from 6 - 11 PM Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel Ballroom 233 W 125th Street, New York #poker #harlem #benefit #gala #arts #NYC @jandymorri

The exceptional Grantham Coleman is joining us at Hold ‘Em In Harlem! Reserve your seat at cthnyc.org/poker26 (link in bio). Whether you caught his star turn as Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing at Shakespeare in the Park, his work in Choir Boy on Broadway, or his screen appearances in The Americans and beyond — you already know: this man commands every room he walks into. On May 21st, that room is ours. Thursday, May 21, 2026 from 6 - 11 PM Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel Ballroom 233 W 125th Street, New York

The table just got raised... Emmy-nominated, Obie-winning, scene-stealing powerhouse Laila Robins is joining us at Hold 'Em In Harlem. From Homeland to The Boys to decades of unforgettable work on Broadway and Off-Broadway stages, she's one of the most versatile performers working today. And on May 21st, she's trading the stage for a full house. Thursday, May 21, 2026 from 6 - 11 PM Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel Ballroom 233 W 125th Street, New York Claim your seat at the link in our bio or /en-US/ticketing/hold-em-in-harlem-benefit-tournament-for-cth

The Classical Theatre of Harlem’s Literary Series returns, this time at Harlem School of the Arts, reigniting the power of theater to challenge convention, connect worlds of thought, and amplify underrepresented voices. Join us for a series of thrilling evening of fresh scripts, dynamic readings, and interactive feedback that shape the future of American theatre! RSVP at /en-US/ticketing/playwrights-playground-april-27--2026 After the reading: Continue the conversation at Winnie Said after the event and enjoy Happy Hour deals. 1624 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10031 Actors: Please arrive by 6:30 PM to be cast. Limited spots available. Playwrights can pre-submit 10-12 pages of a new work in the early stages of development. Actors are cast on the spot and perform a cold reading, followed by a moderated audience feedback session. In addition to serving the development of new work, these readings give audiences a sneak peek into how new plays are created. ----- Thank you to our program sponsors: Axe-Houghton Foundation, The New York Department of Cultural Affairs, and Coalition of Theatres of Colors ----- #nyc #actors #free #plays #thingstodo Photos by @blushstudios.llc

We're stacking the deck, and our first reveal is a legend: Frankie Faison is joining Hold 'Em In Harlem! You know him from The Wire, Silence of the Lambs, Do the Right Thing, Banshee, and a career that spans Broadway to HBO. Now he's coming to Harlem to play cards with YOU. 🃏 Hold 'Em in Harlem 📅 Wednesday, May 21 | 6–11 PM 📍 Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel Ballroom, 233 W 125th St 🎟️ Link in bio Don't miss your chance to go card-for-card with one of the greats. Seats are limited - get yours before they're gone. #HoldEmInHarlem #CTH #ClassicalTheatreOfHarlem

Join us for Hold 'Em in Harlem 🎭♠️ an evening of cards, community, and support for the Classical Theatre of Harlem. With special guests, prizes, an open bar, and more! Your registration fuels bold productions that center Black voices, new work from emerging playwrights, and free programs for our Harlem neighbors. Sign up at the link in our bio to reserve your spot at the table and help keep daring, inclusive theatre thriving in our community. WHEN: May 21, 6 - 11 PM WHERE: The Renaissance Harlem Hotel Ballroom, 233 W 125th St., New York Tickets start at $100 Please note: Tables seat 9 patrons. Parties larger than 9 will be seated at adjacent tables. #poker #harlem #HoldemPoker