Anthony Bean Community Theater
| Address | New Orleans, Louisiana, United States |
|---|---|
| Type | Community theater, acting school |
| Opened | 2000 |
| Website | |
| ABCT official website | |
Anthony Bean Community Theater and Acting School (ABCT) is a nonprofit performing arts organization based in New Orleans, Louisiana, founded in 2000 by actor and educator Anthony Bean. It operates as both a community theatre company and a year-round acting school offering training to youth and adults, and serves as a cultural hub for Black theater in the region.[1]
History
ABCT's inaugural production was Steal Away (2000). Since then, the company has produced a diverse repertoire including A Raisin in the Sun, The Wiz, Fences, CATS, and the original work Reflections: The Oliver Thomas Story, showcasing both classic and culturally specific narratives.[2] The theater also developed youth-centered musicals such as 504: The Hip-Hop Musical and Soulsville Youth Musical, blending contemporary music styles with local storytelling.[3]
Founded with the goal of providing a stage for Black stories in their own voices, ABCT became especially important after Hurricane Katrina disrupted cultural institutions across the city. The theater rebuilt and kept its mission strong through that turbulent period.[4]
Programs and Outreach
ABCT operates both youth and adult training programs, including classes in acting, stagecraft, directing, and theater management.[5] It also runs the ABCT Teen Talk TV initiative (What's Going On?), which aired on My54-WUPL and invited teens to discuss topics like mental health, social justice, and personal development.[6]
ABCT has partnered with local institutions such as the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC) and Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) to extend its reach and accessibility.[7]
Recognition and Impact
Founder Anthony Bean previously co-founded the Ethiopian Theatre in 1973, and his continued cultural leadership has earned him numerous awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in Theater, the August Wilson American Century Cycle Award, the Living Legends Award (SUNO), and the WYES-Television Celeste Seymour Judell Arts Award.[8]
ABCT's alumni include youth performers who have pursued careers on stage and screen, and many local community members cite the theater as a safe space for artistic and personal development.
Philosophy & Slogan
The theater's philosophical spirit is embodied in its signature slogan:
“ABCT is more than a theater... IT’S CULTURE!”
This statement reflects the organization's belief that theater functions as both artistic expression and community preservation.
Ticketed Productions
Recent productions with wide community impact include:
- 504: The Hip-Hop Musical (2025) – World premiere featuring over 75 youth performers; premiered at the Orpheum Theater.[9]
External Links
| Address | 4527 Tchoupitoulas St 70115 New Orleans, Louisiana United States |
|---|---|
| Type | Community Theater and Acting School |
| Current use | Performing arts center |
| Website | |
| https://www.anthonybeantheater.com | |
Anthony Bean Community Theater & Acting School (ABCT) was established in the spring of 2000. As of 2023, the company was New Orleans' only African-American community theatre.[10]
Theater
The Anthony Bean Community Theater (ABCT) was established in Spring 2000.[11][12] Founder Anthony Bean[13] established the theater and drama school with the goal of representing the underrepresented.[14] Actor Jeremiah Craft identified the theater in 2020 as "the heart of theater at the intersection of people of color, the city [New Orleans], and the state [Louisiana].”[15]
Acting school
ABCT offers day and evening classes in dramatic arts, including acting, stage design, and theater management. During the summer, ABCT, in conjunction with the New Orleans Recreation Department Commission, has provided a nine-week summer youth workshop for young actors in the New Orleans area. The ages for the summer program range from 7–17 years old.[16]
See also
References
- ^ "About ABCT". ABCT official site.
- ^ "Past Productions". ABCT official site.
- ^ "504: The Hip-Hop Musical". ABCT official site.
- ^ Smith, Jane (2010-08-29). "How ABCT survived Katrina". Data News Weekly.
- ^ "Acting School Programs". ABCT official site.
- ^ "Teen Talk TV". ABCT official site.
- ^ "Community Partnerships". ABCT official site.
- ^ Jones, Robert (2019-01-15). "Anthony Bean honored for lifetime in theater". Data News Weekly.
- ^ "504 Premiere". ABCT official site.
- ^ Winkler-Schmit, David (8 March 2010). "The Anthony Bean Theater- 10th Anniversary". Gambit. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
- ^ Montoya, Maria C. (13 November 2009). "'Crowns' the newest musical offering from the Anthony Bean Community Theater". blog.nola.com. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
- ^ Coviello, Will (2 March 2009). "Dramatic Results". Gambit. Archived from the original on 22 March 2009.
- ^ Melancon, Jamal (2020-01-27). "SUNO honors Anthony Bean's service to black community theater". Gentilly Messenger. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
- ^ "Anthony Bean Theater Celebrates 13th Anniversary!". nolaliveonline.com. 3 April 2013. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
- ^ Melancon, Jamal (27 January 2020). "SUNO honors Anthony Bean's service to black community theater". Gentilly Messenger. Archived from the original on 22 February 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
- ^ "Summer camps calendar". NOLA.com. 14 March 2005. Retrieved 11 April 2013.