New monthly giving initiative invites supporters to sustain 25 years of free theatre, arts education, and economic impact in Harlem
Harlem, NY — The Classical Theatre of Harlem (CTH) announces the launch of its new fundraising campaign, “$25 for 250”, a monthly giving initiative designed to support and grow the organization’s free, community-centered programming.
For more than 25 years, CTH has been making magic happen uptown. The company produces powerful theatre experiences that are free and open to the public, brings professional artists into Harlem’s public schools at no cost to students or families, and helps drive meaningful economic activity in the neighborhood.
Each summer, CTH’s Uptown Shakespeare in the Park (USP) program fills Marcus Garvey Park with thousands of audience members and generates over $600,000 in economic activity for Harlem’s small businesses, street vendors, and restaurants. The organization’s presence helps make the park feel safer and more vibrant, while giving families something meaningful to experience together in the evenings, regardless of budget. CTH also employs more than 150 cultural workers each year, all paid at above-market rates, bringing top-tier artists and professionals to Harlem.
In celebration of our recent 25th Anniversary, and in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the promise of opportunity established in the founding of our country, CTH is inviting supporters to contribute $25 per month to help sustain and expand its work.
“For just over twenty-five years, we’ve been making magic happen uptown, creating transcendent theatre, supporting artists, and investing directly in our community,” said Ty Jones, Producing Artistic Director of CTH. “This campaign is about continuing that work and building toward what comes next. With collective support, we can keep this work free and accessible, while deepening our impact in Harlem.”
Funds raised through the campaign will support upcoming programming, including this summer’s production of Othello, as well as the continued development of The Aethiopes, a multi-year cycle of original works expanding on the success of Memnon by playwright Will Power. The series reintroduces audiences to the mytho-historical African figures who shaped early European civilization.
Through “$25 for 250”, CTH continues its mission to ensure that theatre, education, and opportunity remain accessible to all, while investing in a future where Harlem’s cultural and economic vitality continues to grow.
The campaign supports its 2026 Uptown Shakespeare in the Park (USP) production will be William Shakespeare’s Othello, directed by Carl Cofield. The free outdoor production will run July 2026 in Marcus Garvey Park, continuing CTH’s beloved tradition of presenting bold, resonant Shakespeare in the heart of Harlem.
A gripping exploration of jealousy, power, race, and manipulation, Othello remains one of Shakespeare’s most urgent and emotionally charged tragedies. Through its signature lens, CTH will bring renewed perspective to the play’s timeless themes. Uptown Shakespeare in the Park (USP) has become a summer cultural touchstone in New York City, drawing thousands of attendees each year and creating an open, welcoming space where classical theater is experienced collectively.
Building on its commitment to developing the next generation of artists and audiences, The Classical Theatre of Harlem continues to expand its educational and community-based programming alongside its mainstage productions. Initiatives like Fearless Creativity reflect CTH’s broader mission to create accessible, high-quality opportunities for young people to engage with theater, fostering confidence, creativity, and a lifelong connection to the arts both in Harlem and beyond.
For more information about the show, please visit cthnyc.org. WNYC is a media partner of The Classical Theater of Harlem.
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/.