Lorraine Hansberry Theatre facts for kids
The Lorraine Hansberry Theatre is a famous theater in downtown San Francisco that focuses on African-American stories and artists. It is named after Lorraine Hansberry, a celebrated playwright who wrote the award-winning play A Raisin in the Sun.
Since it was founded in 1981, the theatre has been an important place for celebrating the African-American experience on stage. Over the years, it has hosted many famous actors, including Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis, and Danny Glover. The theatre has faced many challenges, such as moving to different locations several times, but it has continued to produce plays and events for the community.
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History and Notable Shows
For more than 40 years, the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre has put on over 100 plays and productions. It has become known as a strong and determined arts group in San Francisco.
One of its well-known shows was the 1987 production of Three Views of Mt. Fuji by playwright Ntozake Shange. After a successful run at the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, the play went on to be shown in New York. In 1991, the theatre featured a play by Robert Alexander that explored the characters from the famous book Uncle Tom's Cabin.
The Challenge of Finding a Home
For many years, the theatre struggled to find a permanent location. In 2007, it faced losing its home of almost 20 years at 620 Sutter Street. The building was being sold to the Academy of Art University.
A Community Campaign
To save their space, the theatre organized a campaign. They encouraged supporters to contact the mayor and other city leaders. Many people sent letters, and the heads of major arts groups in San Francisco, like the Opera and Ballet, also wrote a letter asking the mayor to help.
The campaign worked! The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to support the theatre, recognizing its importance to the city's culture.
A Series of Moves
Even with this support, finding a stable home was difficult. The theatre moved into a venue at 450 Post Street in 2010 and opened with the gospel musical Mahalia. However, this location did not last long. The founders of the theatre, Stanley E. Williams and Quentin Easter, had to take time off due to health issues, and the company had to cancel the rest of its season.
After being without a permanent home since 2007, the theatre finally found a new location. Today, it is located at 762 Fulton Street, in a building it shares with the San Francisco African American Historical and Cultural Society.
Leadership and Legacy
The Lorraine Hansberry Theatre was founded in 1981 by Quentin Easter and Stanley E. Williams. They led the theatre for decades and helped it become a major African-American arts center in downtown San Francisco.
Remembering a Founder
Quentin Easter, who served as the Executive Director, was a key leader. He managed the theatre's move to its former home on Sutter Street and won many awards for his work. These included the "Profiles in Excellence" Award from KGO-TV and the "Local Heroes Award" from KQED-TV. Under his leadership, the theatre also received special awards for its contributions to Bay Area arts.
A New Director
In September 2020, the theatre welcomed Margo Hall as its new artistic director. She was the first woman to lead the theatre. Hall has been a major figure in the Bay Area theatre scene for over 30 years and has had a long relationship with the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre.
