The Seven Thirty Theatre

Description

Seven Thirty Theatre (STT) , produces professional theatre that promotes and celebrates the African-American experience, attracts diverse audiences, supports and develops African-American artists, builds the capabilities and self-esteem of African-American youth, and showcases African-American talent. We expand the number of opportunities to perform with excellence, pride, and respect for Black heritage, and we expand the base of talented artists of color with a strong supporting program of workshops and arts education.

We present high-quality, culturally authentic, thought-provoking, and entertaining musical theatre to the Chicago area and to smaller cities throughout Illinois—especially those that lack diversity in the arts. Our theatre experiences and workshops enrich and enlighten audiences of all races, and they promote racial equity and inclusion the arts. The shows and audience engagement activities surrounding them challenge viewpoints and stimulate a greater understanding of diverse cultural perspectives, thus fostering a greater sense of shared community across all cultures.

Work Sample

Title: Dreamgirls Musical - Dates November 2021 & December 2021 - Run time 6 engagements. - Dreamgirls Production set a high-standard for what really goes into showcasing local artist in a Broadway Musical in singing, dancing and acting. Accolades for Dreamgirls won six Tony Awards and this cast lived up to expectations and got standing novation’s after each performance, that sold-out all six performances.

''Dreamgirls'' is the story of a black singing group that rises from the ghetto to national fame and fortune during the 1960's. Like the Supremes, to which they bear more than a passing resemblance, the Dreams have their share of obstacles to overcome on the way up.

Title: The Color Purple - November 2019 & December 2019 - Run times 8 engagements -
The Color Purple was a celebration of Black Excellence in a musical production. This show was a very sleek production in terms of set design, staging and working with mask due to the pandemic. The period costuming is muted browns, yellows, and blues which allows for an injection of life through brightly colored costume changes as the story picks up’s, the second act’s confident use of sunny primary colors in Celie’s clothing business, and beautiful tribal prints that illustrate Nettie’s work in Africa.

The heart-wrenching but uplifting ending song “I’m Here” is a beautiful piece demonstrating the range of not only Hicks’ voice but the journey of Celie to find the peace and the place that makes her happiest. If you are lucky enough to be in a town that The Color Purple cast was absolutely wonderful and the audience most certainly got to enjoy a musical treat at an affordable price and was overjoyed to be seated in the theater.

Title: The Wiz - August 2019 and September 2019 - Run times 8 engagements.
The Wiz was truly entertaining and colorful, bringing make believe to life when The Wizard of Oz meets the urban beat of the 1970s. The show made history, winning seven Tony Awards. Now the young Dorothy travels to the strange and spectacular Land of Oz once again in a re-imagined, multi-cultural musical phenomenon for a new century. The Seven Thirty Theatre displayed high quality in all aspects of the performance -- singing, dancing and acting.

Seven Thirty Theatre provides theatrical training and workshops in the areas of singing, dance, acting, and technical support. The work samples reflect the teaching and training we provide artists in mastering their artistic skills. These samples are only the most recent in a long history of workshops and performances that have grown steadily each year (excepting 2020) in terms of number of performances, number of participants, and financial stature.

STT has created a foundation that is focuses of the following:

1. Training artists in voice, music, acting, and staging that equips them to meet the demands of the musical theatre industry.
2. Teaching artist how to strengthen and master their creative skills in stage movement, stage presentation and what it takes to be on stage performing to an audience.
3. Bringing this all together in engaging performances for the general public, as shown by the work samples.

History

The Seven Thirty Theatre (STT) was established in the state of Illinois in 2013 with theatre workshops as a means to provide underserved African Americans with performing arts training otherwise inaccessible. In 2014, the company evolved, offering Black theatre in the state of Illinois to address a broader population, specifically those in the Chicago area. As a DBA of the Indiana Performing Arts Centre (IPAC), STT operates within the Chicago region with IPAC’s goal of providing arts opportunities for African Americans.

In FY2021 we partnered with the Beverly Arts Center to bring diversity in theatrical performances to the underrepresented southside of Chicago with 6 performances of Black Broadway Musical “Dreamgirls”. The project was well received and supported by the community, resulting in sold-out performances with requests for more. Other collaborations include the DuSable Museum for workshops and training, and the Chicago State and Dominican University for program space.

Artistic Vision

We provide theatre experiences that present the works of Black Americans to enrich and enlighten audiences of all races, and to promote racial equity and inclusion the arts. We provide high-quality, culturally authentic, thought-provoking, and entertaining musical theatre. Further, we expand the base of talented artists of color with a strong supporting program of workshops and arts education. Seven Thirty Theatre welcomes, acknowledges, and responds to the needs and interests of the community, building integrity, pride, and respect for the arts.

We are committed to providing exceptional musical theatre to the Chicago area and to smaller cities throughout Illinois that lack diversity in the arts. With focused artistic vision and fiscal stewardship, we nurture young and adult artists, develop new works, and create consistently great theatre (in both performance and in education) in a compassionate space where we hold a responsibility for the well-being of our community.

We envision and work toward a world where the image of blackness is more equitably represented in all its diversity, thus building a strong appreciation, better understanding, and value for diversity in the arts and diverse American culture.

Programs for Specific Audience(s) Expertise

STT’s theatrical musical and plays are for the general public and all walks of life. However, since 65% to70% of our program participants are artists of color, our audiences generally have reflected that ratio. When we market and promote our show to the community it is by paid advertisement through multiple media outlets and not race and/or gender specific. We want individuals from all cultures to enjoy our performances, so we are working for and achieving more balanced demographics in our audiences.

Traditional Folk/Ethnic Artform Statement

Seven Thirty Theatre produces professional theatre that promotes and celebrates the African-American experience, attracts diverse audiences, supports and develops African-American artists, builds the capabilities and self-esteem of African-American youth, and showcases African-American talent. We are increasing platforms and opportunities to perform with excellence, pride, and respect for Black heritage. STT is rare in being operated and lead by all Black females in a city and state that has only a handful of arts organizations operated by African-Americans.

SST keeps alive the heritage of Black theatre by offering top-notch performances, employment opportunities, children’s theatre, educational programs, and community outreach in all aspects of theatrical productions. Our programs counter well-documented disparities that exist for Blacks in performing arts.

STT is a welcoming place where people of diverse color have fulfilling theatrical experiences that are a vital part of the cultural landscape and the quality of life in our community.