Our Legacy
Our History
The Crossroads Theatre Company (CTC) was founded in 1978 by Ricardo Khan (Founding Artistic Director) and L. Kenneth Richardson. Initial funding was provided by the CETA Program, Johnson & Johnson, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, NJ State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. The vision of its founders was based on the belief that Black Theater is intended for a broad base diverse audience; a mission which was fulfilled.
As a major force in the development of new ideas and the introduction of formally marginalized writers, Crossroads brought works that challenged thee notion that only one class or group of people could be represented on the American stage. Prior to the company’s emergence in 1978, rarely could there have been found dignified opportunities for artists of color to explore and practice their craft in the professional theater.
In recognition of its success Crossroads was presented with the prestigious Tony Award in 1999 as the “outstanding regional theatre in America.” This marked the first time that a predominantly black theater company had earned this award. Crossroads remains to only culturally specific regional theater to have this honor.
Though founded with the intention to explore the African Diaspora it was eventually realized that Crossroads had become central to the depiction of global interaction with the other cultures in the world. As such the “new” Crossroads sought to reach beyond the borders of face and geography, to a place where theatrical enterprise could mine the rich aesthetics and folklores of the world stage.
Our Mission
The Crossroads Theatre Company is dedicated to artistic excellence in the creation and production of professional theatre that:
- Celebrates the culture, artistry and voices of the African Diaspora;
- Provides a nurturing, professional working environment for writers and artists in the development of plays created and interpreted through the lens of the Black experience;
- Presents authentic portrayals of people of color in this country and from around the world in order to inspire, educate, ignite imagination and promote healing in our society;
- Promotes a deeper, more informed cross-cultural conversation on community, our interconnectedness, the histories we share and don't share, the human condition today, and the world we strive to build for tomorrow.
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