The Classical Theatre of Harlem (CTH) is proud to announce a transformational $1 million grant from the Dale and Deborah Smith Foundation. This major multiyear commitment—$200,000 per year over the next five years—is a restricted grant dedicated to supporting the development of a permanent home for the company.
“This $1 million investment is a game-changer for The Classical Theatre of Harlem,” said Ty Jones, Producing Artistic Director of CTH. “After more than two decades of producing award-winning work throughout New York City, this generous gift brings us significantly closer to realizing a permanent home—one that reflects the excellence, resilience, and cultural significance of our community. We are profoundly grateful to the Dale and Deborah Smith Foundation for believing in our vision and helping us build a future rooted in Harlem.”
The grant comes at a pivotal moment in CTH’s history, as the organization continues its campaign to establish a dedicated space for performance, education, and community gathering—and to solidify its role as a vital cultural institution within the Harlem community. With this foundational support, CTH can move forward in creating a permanent home that will serve as a vibrant hub for artists, students, and audiences alike.
Founded in 1999, The Classical Theatre of Harlem has long been a cultural cornerstone in Upper Manhattan, known for its dynamic reinterpretations of classical works, commitment to social justice, and its free summer productions in Marcus Garvey Park, which serve thousands of New Yorkers each year.
Dale and Deborah Smith Foundation, a private foundation established by Henry Dale Smith, Jr., and Deborah Klang Smith, is an Illinois-based charitable organization which makes grants to charities across the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are longtime supporters of arts organizations, public parks, and experiential education, which makes the Foundation’s interest in Classical Theatre of Harlem a natural fit.
Dale and Deborah Smith Foundation board member and co-founder, Deborah Klang Smith, said, “Our Foundation takes great interest in helping charitable organizations develop projects that are core to their operating mission. For this reason, Dale and Deborah Smith Foundation is proud to support the development of a permanent home for a cultural institution so deeply invested in the future of its community.”
To learn more about The Classical Theatre of Harlem and opportunities to support its new home, visit www.cthnyc.org.
About The Classical Theatre Of Harlem
The Classical Theatre of Harlem (CTH) is an American theatre company that tells stories through the lens of the African diaspora. CTH combines original adaptations, music, and dance to present great classics of world literature and contemporary works that will stand the test of time. Since its founding in 1999, CTH has presented works ranging from traditional classical playwrights (Sophocles, Euripides and William Shakespeare) to established 20th-century playwrights (August Wilson, Langston Hughes and Jean Genet) to new plays by emerging playwrights. CTH also proudly provides theater-based training and live theater experiences to Harlem youth and their families through its arts education program, Project Classics. The organization incorporates other theater-related programming including Future Classics, Playwrights’ Playground, and Revisited Classics to engage new audiences, invest in artistic development and give exposure to emerging creators.
The company serves over 35,000 live audience members per year. Its online offerings have drawn over 500,000 viewers. To learn more, visit https://www.cthnyc.org/.
For press inquiries:
John Roth
Aprill Turner
Navalta Media
CTHPR@navaltamedia.com
332-205-3543