Harlem Shakespeare Festival, Founder Debra Ann Byrd with Antonia Badon

Join The Gist of Freedom, Arts and Activism with Antonia Badon and  Harlem Shakespeare Festival founder DEBRA ANN BYRD! 

Ms. Byrd [Festival Founder & Producing Artistic Director] is the Founder of Take Wing And Soar Productions where she currently serves as Chief Executive and Producing Artistic Director.  Ms. Byrd has guided the company's growth from its birth in 1999 into a viable support organization serving women, youth, classical artists of color and theater arts groups throughout New York. 

The African Grove Theater was A Shakespearean Playhouse Founded in 1816 by Activist William Brown. It was mysteriously burned to the ground.

In 1816 William Brown a retired African American ship steward bought a house in Manhattan on Thompson Street. He used his garden in his backyard to host social events. They were such a big hit that people traveled from all over NY to attend. An all-black theatre troupe and company grew out these tea garden performances.

Riding the success of the theater, Brown later built a fully-fledged performance space on the second floor of his home
– for an audience of more than 300 – at 165 Mercer St., just south of Houston St.