About Black Spectrum Theater Co.
A Legacy of Black Creativity, Culture & Community
Founded in 1970, Black Spectrum Theatre Company has remained dedicated to uplifting Black voices through the performing arts, cultural programming, and community engagement for more than five decades.
As one of New York’s longstanding Black theatre organizations, Black Spectrum has created opportunities for artists, performers, students, and audiences to connect through storytelling, education, and live performance experiences that celebrate the richness of Black culture and artistic expression.
Located in Southeast Queens, Black Spectrum continues to serve as a creative home for emerging talent, youth development programs, community initiatives, and transformative productions that inspire, educate, and entertain.
Our Mission
Our mission is multifaceted—to stimulate social and cultural consciousness through the production and presentation of message-oriented theatre and films, and to help children and youth develop into responsible citizens through affordable theatre arts. Black Spectrum's primary programs goals are:
To create theatre and film productions targeting issues in the African-American community, particularly topics relevant to youth.
To provide children, youth, and adults with life skills and artistic experience through training in theatre and film.
To bring theatre, film, and performing arts to southeastern Queens and underserved communities nationwide.
To highlight emerging African-American directors, playwrights, performers, and designers.
Our Impact
For generations, Black Spectrum has helped cultivate artists, storytellers, performers, and creative leaders while providing meaningful cultural experiences for the surrounding community.
Our work extends beyond the stage through:
Youth theatre and educational programming
Community-centered arts initiatives
Cultural events and live entertainment
Mentorship and creative development opportunities
Accessible performance experiences for diverse audiences
Black Spectrum continues to preserve the importance of Black storytelling while building pathways for future generations of creatives and performers.
Our Theatre
Located in the 54 acre Roy Wilkins Park in Jamaica Queens, NYC, Black Spectrum Theatre Co. produces and presents theatre, music & comedy concerts, and videos examining issues of social significance to the African-American community.
The facility features a 200-390 seat state-of-art theatre, with a grand lobby, a multi purpose Jazz & Sweet Potato lounge, a rehearsal room and music recording studio. We serve nearly 20,000 audience members annually and reach many thousands more through our theatre institute, afterschool E-Cap program,mobile stage and culture Express programs.
Our History
Carl's organization began in a church in 1970. From there we used the basements and homes of members and their parents. As we grew in sophistication, we performed along the eastern seaboard in colleges, churches (including Cornell & Albany State), countless festivals, and event venues (including Lincoln Center in NY).
Next, we moved into a storefront on Linden in Queens, NY. It was previously an abandoned drug store, and we converted it into a 100-seat theater venue. We were there from 1977–86. Following that, we renovated, converted, and assisted in the architectural design of what was previously an abandoned Navel hospital's Officers' Club that hadn't been used since World War II. Today it is the Roy Wilkins Family Center, and the Black Spectrum Theater is inside the building.
In 1986, Black Spectrum moved into our own 325-seat, state-of-the-art theatre, located in a city-owned recreation complex in Roy Wilkins Park, just three miles south of downtown Jamaica, Queens. The theatre is equipped to double as a film and video studio. We maintain our administration offices, rehearsal space, and a small cabaret theatre within the complex as well. In addition to the executive producer, Black Spectrum employs four full-time staffers and six part-time workers, as well as many actors, writers, musicians, artists, and technicians.
Black Spectrum operates as a non-profit organization with an annual budget of over $600,000. It receives volunteer support from its board, community members, and Youth Company parents, as well as funding from individuals, government foundations, and corporations. Black Spectrum is currently carrying out a capacity-building program with the support of the New York State Council on the Arts, the New York Community Trust, and the Joyce Mertz-Gilmore Foundation, which has awarded Black Spectrum a two-year $60,000 stabilization grant. In 2010, Black Spectrum was awarded a $1.3 million capital grant from State Senators Shirley Huntley & Malcolm Smith to improve our facility and grow our audience capacity.
Our Logo Sculpture
This sculpture was created by the renowned artist Inge Hardison—See Negro "Giants" in History. It was created in 1985. I wanted a three-dimensional presentation of our logo, and Ms. Hardison—who was getting along in age at the time—smiled and said: "Young man, I think I know what you mean." Talented and extremely knowledgeable of African history, she took on our project because she loved the theatre. Everyone who comes in contact with it, I believe, is transformed. Art, history, and creativity spring from the lips and eyes.
We will forever be proud of this wonderful contribution Ms. Hardison made to Black Spectrum Theatre at a very early stage in our history. This work represents Black Spectrum and the beauty of our culture. If you listen closely, you can hear the sounds that come from its mouth and be touched by the gleaming gaze of its eyes. Yes, this is exactly what every artist feels when they are creating plays, music, songs, poetry, and films about something meaningful and beautiful.