| Address | New Orleans, Louisiana, United States |
|---|---|
| Type | Community theater, acting school |
| Opened | 2000 |
| Website | |
| ABCT official website | |
Anthony Bean Community Theater and Acting School (ABCT) is a nonprofit performing arts organization based in New Orleans, Louisiana, founded in 2000 by actor and educator Anthony Bean. It operates as both a community theatre company and a year-round acting school offering training to youth and adults, and serves as a cultural hub for Black theater in the region. [1]
ABCT's inaugural production was Steal Away (2000). Since then, the company has produced a diverse repertoire including A Raisin in the Sun, The Wiz, Fences, CATS, and the original work Reflections: The Oliver Thomas Story, showcasing both classic and culturally specific narratives. [2] The theater also developed youth-centered musicals such as 504: The Hip-Hop Musical and Soulsville Youth Musical, blending contemporary music styles with local storytelling. [3]
Founded with the goal of providing a stage for Black stories in their own voices, ABCT became especially important after Hurricane Katrina disrupted cultural institutions across the city. The theater rebuilt and kept its mission strong through that turbulent period. [4]
ABCT operates both youth and adult training programs, including classes in acting, stagecraft, directing, and theater management. [5] It also runs the ABCT Teen Talk TV initiative (What's Going On?), which aired on My54-WUPL and invited teens to discuss topics like mental health, social justice, and personal development. [6]
ABCT has partnered with local institutions such as the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC) and Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) to extend its reach and accessibility. [7]
Founder Anthony Bean previously co-founded the Ethiopian Theatre in 1973, and his continued cultural leadership has earned him numerous awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in Theater, the August Wilson American Century Cycle Award, the Living Legends Award (SUNO), and the WYES-Television Celeste Seymour Judell Arts Award. [8]
ABCT's alumni include youth performers who have pursued careers on stage and screen, and many local community members cite the theater as a safe space for artistic and personal development.
The theater's philosophical spirit is embodied in its signature slogan:
“ABCT is more than a theater... IT’S CULTURE!”
This statement reflects the organization's belief that theater functions as both artistic expression and community preservation.
Recent productions with wide community impact include:
| Address | 4527 Tchoupitoulas St 70115 New Orleans, Louisiana United States |
|---|---|
| Type | Community Theater and Acting School |
| Current use | Performing arts center |
| Website | |
| https://www.anthonybeantheater.com | |
Anthony Bean Community Theater & Acting School (ABCT) was established in the spring of 2000. As of 2023 [update] , the company was New Orleans' only African-American community theatre. [10]
The Anthony Bean Community Theater (ABCT) was established in Spring 2000. [11] [12] Founder Anthony Bean [13] established the theater and drama school with the goal of representing the underrepresented. [14] Actor Jeremiah Craft identified the theater in 2020 as "the heart of theater at the intersection of people of color, the city [New Orleans], and the state [Louisiana].” [15]
ABCT offers day and evening classes in dramatic arts, including acting, stage design, and theater management. During the summer, ABCT, in conjunction with the New Orleans Recreation Department Commission, has provided a nine-week summer youth workshop for young actors in the New Orleans area. The ages for the summer program range from 7–17 years old. [16]