Esther Rolle News

Four women writers of the Harlem Renaissance meet in 'Telling Tales Out of School' by Wesley Brown, directed by Woodie King, Jr. at Castillo Theatre/ASP. The play offers a unique perspective on the Harlem Renaissance by providing a character study of four of its most-noted female prime movers. Check out event information here!

From August 10 to 26, the Negro Ensemble Company, Inc. (NEC), in conjunction with their residency at Penn Live Arts, will perform the world premiere of 'Mecca Is Burning' at Harlem School of the Arts.

New Federal Theatre will present 'Telling Tales Out of School,' a new play by Wesley Brown, from May 2 to 7 as a work in progress at Castillo Theatre/ASP.

A tapestry that explores the intricacies of life through the unique lens of Black men comes to life in The Happening: A Theatrical Mixtape, Volume IV: Black Like He, written and directed by Darius V. Daughtry and featuring some of South Florida's finest talent, in the Abdo New River Room at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Friday through Sunday, December 16-18. 

One of South Florida's best-known poets, authors, directors and educators takes the stage in the Abdo New River Room at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts when Art Prevails Project founder Darius V. Daughtry presents a staged reading of his new play, Seeking, on Saturday July 23 at 4 and 6 p.m. and Sunday, July 24 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15. 

The Broward Center for the Performing Arts presents Rhythm by the River, a festival celebrating some of the most exciting and innovative Black voices in Broward County. Sons of Mystro headline this free event on Sunday, March 20 from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. in Esplanade Park in Downtown Fort Lauderdale. 

Ali Cultural Arts Center is honoring the dance career of iconic actress and Good Times star Esther Rolle with a new juried exhibition. While living in New York City, the celebrated Pompano Beach-born actress was a member of the Shogola Oloba dance troupe, created and led by master Asadata Dafora, and became its director in 1960.

Pompano Beach Arts will present the exhibition B.A.S.E. (Broward Art and Soul Experience) at Ali Cultural Arts Center in Pompano Beach through May 13, 2021, by appointment. 

The Pompano Beach Cultural Affairs Department will present the Old Skool Gang for a virtual Soulful Sundays concert. The high-energy event will have people dancing in their living rooms as the group belts out hit after hit while showcasing their smooth moves.

The Pompano Beach Cultural Affairs Department has announce a new pilot program to support young, emerging artists requiring short-term access to a creative workspace.

Actor/Director Charles Weldon, who was Artistic Director of The Negro Ensemble Company (NEC) since 2005, died December 7 at Mt. Sinai Hospital, NYC. He was 78.

From May 16 to 27, The Negro Ensemble Company, Inc. will present the world premiere production of 'Hercules Didn't Wade in the Water' by Michael A Jones.  The play is winner of the troupe's 2017 Emerging Playwrights Competition.  Called a 'drama with comedy,' it is a story of displacement of Black families and the forces that lead to it in modern America.  Performances are at Theatre 80 St. Marks, 80 St. Marks Place.

What better way to spend Mother's Day than laughing with Mom at the first ladies of TV's funniest families, Edith Bunker and Florida Evans? To celebrate Mom's Day, getTV will air classic back-to-back episodes of “All in the Family” and “Good Times” showcasing the talents of Jean Stapleton and Esther Rolle, on Sunday, May 13 beginning at 1:30PM ET/12:30C and continuing all day until 12 midnight/11C.

Ten Chimneys Foundation is proud to announce Stephen McKinley Henderson as the 2018 Master Teacher for the nationally acclaimed Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship Program at the Historic National Landmark, Ten Chimneys.

From May 16 to 27, The Negro Ensemble Company, Inc. will present the world premiere production of 'Hercules Didn't Wade in the Water' by Michael A Jones. The play is winner of the troupe's 2017 Emerging Playwrights Competition. Called a 'drama with comedy,' it is a story of displacement of Black families and the forces that lead to it in modern America. Performances are at Theatre 80 St. Marks, 80 St. Marks Place.

From May 16 to 27, The Negro Ensemble Company, Inc. will present the world premiere production of 'Hercules Didn't Wade in the Water' by Michael A Jones.  The play is winner of the troupe's 2017 Emerging Playwrights Competition.  Called a 'drama with comedy,' it is a story of displacement of Black families and the forces that lead to it in modern America.  Performances are at Theatre 80 St. Marks, 80 St. Marks Place.

To reach an expanded audience, The Negro Ensemble Company, Inc. (NEC) will re-mount its 2017 revival of 'A Soldier's Play' by Charles Fuller, directed by Charles Weldon, from February 14 to March 4, 2018 at Gene Frankel Theatre, 24 Bond Street. The piece is historically NEC's most famous and successful play. It was produced last fall at Theatre 80 St. Marks as the culminating event of NEC's landmark 50th season, playing to full houses and glowing notices. The cast of that revival will return intact for the Gene Frankel Theatre run.

To reach an expanded audience, The Negro Ensemble Company, Inc. (NEC) will re-mount its 2017 revival of 'A Soldier's Play' by Charles Fuller, directed by Charles Weldon, from February 14 to March 4, 2018 at Gene Frankel Theatre, 24 Bond Street. The piece is historically NEC's most famous and successful play. It was produced last fall at Theatre 80 St. Marks as the culminating event of NEC's landmark 50th season, playing to full houses and glowing notices. The cast of that revival will return intact for the Gene Frankel Theatre run.

Celebrate New Year's Day With AMERICA'S FIRST FAMILIES OF FUNNY On getTV

The anniversary of both Esther Rolle's birth and death are in November, and to celebrate the achievements of this amazing woman, who is also buried in Pompano Beach, The Rock Road Restoration Historical Group will present a special exhibit at The Historic Ali Cultural Arts Center (www.aliarts.org), which will run from November 1 through December 2, 2017.