THE EXONERATED - Black Theatre Troupe - September 11 - 27, 2026

     

By Jessica Blank & Erik Jensen

Directed by Matthew Wiener

Based on the true stories of six wrongfully convicted people, The Exonerated is a powerful examination of justice, resilience, and hope. Drawn from court transcripts and personal accounts, this acclaimed drama reveals the human cost of wrongful convictions while celebrating the extraordinary strength of those who survived them.

Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center

1333 E. Washington St

Phoenix, AZ 85034

Box Office: 602-258-8128

CLICK HERE for more information, and to purchase tickets

DON'T BOTHER ME, I CAN'T COPE - Black Theatre Troupe - October 23 - November 8, 2026

Book, Music & Lyrics by Micki Grant

Directed and Choreographed by Patdro Harris

Musical Direction by Brenda Hankins

Musical Arrangements by Joey Leyva

A groundbreaking Broadway hit by Micki Grant, one of the first Black women to write and compose a musical produced on Broadway, Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope takes audiences on a spirited journey through the joys, challenges, humor, and heartaches of everyday Black life. Filled with unforgettable music, it is a joyful celebration of culture, community, and resilience.

Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center

1333 E. Washington St

Phoenix, AZ 85034

Box Office: 602-258-8128

CLICK HERE for more information, and to purchase tickets

BLACK NATIVITY - Black Theatre Troupe - November 27 - December 6, 2026

By Langston Hughes

Directed by Walter Belcher

A beloved holiday tradition returns to Black Theatre Troupe. Langston Hughes' timeless retelling of the Nativity story comes alive through soul-stirring gospel music, vibrant dance, and powerful storytelling. Filled with faith, hope, and joy, Black Nativity is an uplifting celebration of community and the true spirit of the season.

Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center

1333 E. Washington St

Phoenix, AZ 85034

Box Office: 602-258-8128

CLICK HERE for more information, and to purchase tickets

COLORED PEOPLE'S TIME - Black Theatre Troupe - February 5 - 21, 2027

By Leslie Lee

Directed by Rachel Finley

Spanning nearly 100 years of African American life, Colored People's Time chronicles the struggles, triumphs, humor, and resilience that shaped generations. Through a series of compelling stories, this moving drama celebrates the courage, determination, and enduring spirit of a people whose legacy continues to inspire.

Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center

1333 E. Washington St

Phoenix, AZ 85034

Box Office: 602-258-8128

CLICK HERE for more information, and to purchase tickets

JUBILEE - Black Theatre Troupe - March 26 - April 11, 2027

By Tazewell Thompson

Director & Musical Director TBD

Inspired by the remarkable true story of the Fisk Jubilee Singers, Jubilee follows a group of formerly enslaved students who set out to save their struggling school and share the power of spirituals with the world. Filled with soaring music and unforgettable storytelling, this stirring drama celebrates faith, perseverance, and hope.

Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center

1333 E. Washington St

Phoenix, AZ 85034

Box Office: 602-258-8128

CLICK HERE for more information, and to purchase tickets

Black Theatre Troupe's 2026/2027 Season!

BLACK THEATRE TROUPE'S 57TH SEASON EXPLORES JUSTICE, JOY, HISTORY, AND THE POWER OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT

Flex Pass packages available now with Early Bird pricing through July 15 and savings of up to $48

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Entering its 57th Season, Black Theatre Troupe (BTT) continues its mission of bringing powerful African American stories to Arizona audiences through a compelling lineup of productions that celebrate resilience, faith, culture, community, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

The 2026-2027 Season features a gripping drama inspired by real-life stories of wrongful conviction, a groundbreaking Broadway musical, the return of a beloved holiday tradition, a sweeping journey through Black history, and an inspiring musical celebrating the remarkable legacy of the Fisk Jubilee Singers.

Flex Pass packages are on sale now, offering audiences the flexibility to enjoy the season on their own schedule while taking advantage of Early Bird savings through July 15. Single tickets will go on sale on July 16 at 10 am.

For information about Flex Passes, performance schedules, and tickets, visit blacktheatretroupe.org or call 602-258-8128.

"Our 57th Season reflects the resilience, faith, humor, creativity, and determination that have shaped the African American experience," said David Hemphill, Executive Director of Black Theatre Troupe. "Whether audiences join us for one production or the entire season, these stories remind us where we've been, celebrate who we are, and challenge us to imagine what's possible for the future."

THE EXONERATED

By Jessica Blank & Erik Jensen

September 11 - 27, 2026

Directed by Matthew Wiener

Based on the true stories of six wrongfully convicted people, The Exonerated is a powerful examination of justice, resilience, and hope. Drawn from court transcripts and personal accounts, this acclaimed drama reveals the human cost of wrongful convictions while celebrating the extraordinary strength of those who survived them.

DON'T BOTHER ME, I CAN'T COPE

Book, Music & Lyrics by Micki Grant

October 23 - November 8, 2026

Directed and Choreographed by Patdro Harris

Musical Direction by Brenda Hankins

Musical Arrangements by Joey Leyva

A groundbreaking Broadway hit by Micki Grant, one of the first Black women to write and compose a musical produced on Broadway, Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope takes audiences on a spirited journey through the joys, challenges, humor, and heartaches of everyday Black life. Filled with unforgettable music, it is a joyful celebration of culture, community, and resilience.

BLACK NATIVITY

By Langston Hughes

November 27 - December 6, 2026

Directed by Walter Belcher

A beloved holiday tradition returns to Black Theatre Troupe. Langston Hughes' timeless retelling of the Nativity story comes alive through soul-stirring gospel music, vibrant dance, and powerful storytelling. Filled with faith, hope, and joy, Black Nativity is an uplifting celebration of community and the true spirit of the season.

COLORED PEOPLE'S TIME

By Leslie Lee

February 5 - 21, 2027

Directed by Rachel Finley

Spanning nearly 100 years of African American life, Colored People's Time chronicles the struggles, triumphs, humor, and resilience that shaped generations. Through a series of compelling stories, this moving drama celebrates the courage, determination, and enduring spirit of a people whose legacy continues to inspire.

JUBILEE

By Tazewell Thompson

March 26 - April 11, 2027

Musical Director TBD

Inspired by the remarkable true story of the Fisk Jubilee Singers, Jubilee follows a group of formerly enslaved students who set out to save their struggling school and share the power of spirituals with the world. Filled with soaring music and unforgettable storytelling, this stirring drama celebrates faith, perseverance, and hope.

FLEX PASS PACKAGES ON SALE NOW

Flex Pass packages offer audiences the flexibility to experience Black Theatre Troupe's 57th Season on their own schedule. Patrons may choose from 4-play, 3-play, or 2-play packages and use their tickets in any combination throughout the season. (Excludes Black Nativity.)

Early Bird pricing is available through July 15, with 4-play Flex Passes for $160, 3-play Flex Passes for $126, and 2-play Flex Passes for $90. Flex Pass holders can save up to $48 compared to purchasing individual tickets.

About Black Theatre Troupe

Founded in 1970 by Helen K. Mason, Black Theatre Troupe is one of the nation's longest continuously operating Black theatre companies. Located at the Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center in downtown Phoenix, BTT is dedicated to producing powerful theatrical works, nurturing diverse artistic talent, and strengthening communities through stories that celebrate the Black experience and our shared humanity.

Cast announced for THREE SISTAHS at Black Theatre Troupe

THREE SISTAHS CAST

Kay B. Rose "Irene"

Britahn Newbill "Olive"

Eboni McDonald "Marsha"

THREE SISTAHS CREATIVE TEAM

Dzifa Kwawu Director

Brenda Hankins Music Director

Joey Leyva Arrangement/Orchestration

 CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs March 27-April 12

Review Highlights: JITNEY - Black Theatre Troupe

Ken Love and Rapheal Hamilton
Photo by Elizabeth Montgomery

  

highlights from local critics reviews - (click link at bottom of each review to read complete review)

Click here for more information on this production that runs through February 22

"August Wilson's Jitney at Black Theatre Troupe is a vibrant and emotionally rich presentation of one of the playwright's most grounded and humane works. Brought to life by a strong ensemble cast, the play unfolds as a rich slice-of-life portrait, capturing the humor, frustrations, and quiet dignity of men whose lives intersect in a small, Pittsburgh cab station. The actors work seamlessly together, creating a lived-in sense of community that immediately draws the audience into Wilson's world....The cast gives each character a distinct presence. Becker is portrayed with quiet authority and emotional restraint by Ken Love, while as Booster, his son, Rapheal Hamilton brings raw intensity and vulnerability to their fraught relationship. ...Rachel Finley's direction allows the scenes to breathe and relationships to develop organically. There are, however, a few lengthy scene changes and some odd choices involving musical underscoring and the constant sound of a ticking clock that, especially during a few monologues, occasionally interrupts the forward momentum and pulls focus from Wilson's powerful language and intriguing characters. "   - Gil Benbrook, TalkinBroadway.com (click here to read the complete review)

"JITNEY may not reach the towering heights of Wilson’s later works. For all its power, the play can feel uneven, a trait mirrored in the production’s pacing. Scene transitions frequently stall in longer than necessary silent blackouts, and the lighting proves oddly overbright for a setting meant to survive on a single bulb. The over-illumination diminishes the sense of a jitney station meant to be perpetually hovering in dusk. Still, the play is suffused with the sympathetic wisdom that defines Wilson’s writing. He looks at lives many would dismiss as small or defeated and finds in them an undeniable nobility."   - David Appleford, Broadway World (click here to read the complete review)

Your first look at JITNEY at Black Theatre Troupe

photos by Elizabeth Montgomery

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs through Feburary 22

Cast announced for JITNEY at Black Theatre Troupe

 

 

Roosevelt Watts as Doub

Dion Belcher as Philmore

Kenneth Wayne Love as Jim Becker

Jonah B. Taylor as Shealy

Kay B. Rose as Rena

Jonathan Davis as Youngblood

Rapheal Hamilton as Booster

Eric L. Banks as Turnbo

Calvin Worthen as Fielding

Directed by Rachel Finley

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs February 6-22

Review Highlights: CAROLINE, OR CHANGE - Black Theatre Troupe

 

Brooke Leigh Davis and Christopher Spurling
Photo by Elizabeth Montgomery

highlights from local critics reviews - (click link at bottom of each review to read complete review)

Click here for more information on this production that runs through November 2

"With dozens of short songs that morph into each other and a handful of everyday objects that sing, Caroline, or Change may not be your typical Broadway musical, but that's exactly what makes it so special. It's a deeply human and emotionally layered sung-through story that explores the complexities of race, class, and identity through a series of short songs and scenes with characters and situations that feel instantly recognizable. Black Theatre Troupe's current production beautifully captures the play's emotional depth and quiet power. The strong performances–including an excellent performance by Brooke Leigh Davis as Caroline and a lovely portrayal of Noah by Christopher Spurling–and assured direction by David J. Hemphill deliver a solid appreciation for the honesty at the heart of Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori's intriguing work."   - Gil Benbrook, TalkinBroadway.com (click here to read the complete review)

Your first look at CAROLINE OR CHANGE at Black Theatre Troupe

photos by Elizabeth Montgomery

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs through November 2

Review Highlights: GRACE AND GLORIE - Black Theatre Troupe

Ryan Jenkins and Shari Watts
photo by Laura Durant

highlights from local critics reviews - (click link at bottom of each review to read complete review)

Click here for more information on this production that runs through September 21

"Tom Ziegler's heartfelt and intimate play Grace and Glorie celebrates the power of human connection while also balancing humor with reflection. While it's also overly long and somewhat predictable, it still makes for an entertaining story about two very different women whose lives intersect at a pivotal moment. Black Theatre Troupe's production captures that sense of discovery and connection with warmth and authenticity due to assured performances from Shari Watts and Ryan Jenkins....Ziegler's play explores themes of mortality, forgiveness, resilience, and the beauty of simple human kindness. It reflects on the value and importance of connection even in the face of loss."   - Gil Benbrook, TalkinBroadway.com (click here to read the complete review)

Your first look at GRACE AND GLORIE at Black Theatre Troupe

 

photos by Laura Durant

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs through September 21

An Inside Look: The Actresses Bringing GRACE AND GLORIE at Black Theatre Troupe to Life

Ryan L. Jenkins and Shari Watts
Photo by Laura Durant

by Gil Benbrook

In Tom Ziegler’s heartfelt play Grace and Glorie, two very different women form an unlikely bond that changes them both in profound ways. Set against the backdrop of rural Virginia, the story follows Glorie, a former high-powered New York City executive who relocates with her family to the South, and Grace, a fiercely independent elderly farm woman who has returned to her cherished home to spend her final days. Their connection begins when Glorie becomes Grace’s hospice volunteer, but what unfolds is a touching and often humorous exploration of friendship, resilience, and the lessons we learn from one another.

Black Theatre Troupe brings this tender and funny story to life on stage with Shari Watts and Ryan L. Jenkins as Grace and Glorie, under Chanel Bragg's direction, with performances at Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center from September 5-21.

In between rehearsals, Watts and Jenkins sat down to answer some questions about this production and share their thoughts on stepping into these complex roles. They also reflect on the challenges and joys of bringing such richly drawn characters to life, the emotional resonance of the play’s themes, the moments of humor and humanity that make Grace and Glorie so moving, and what they hope audiences will take away from this intimate and meaningful story.

Shari Watts

What can you tell us about the character you play and what do you find most compelling about her story?

"I play Grace, a feisty opinonated ninety-year-old illiterate widow with cancer from the Appalachian Mountains area in Virginia. She has never been more than 50 miles from her farm.  She left her church 50 years ago but keeps a tight hold on her relationship with God. She has come home from the hospital after refusing further treatment to live out her final days among her land even as it is being bulldozed away after she had to sell it. All that was enough to be compelling to an actor let alone the rest of the story between the two women and the playwrights’ words"

How did you approach portraying the emotional journey these women go through while still bringing out the humor in the script?

"To have Chanel (Bragg) as our director and Phoenix (Jacob) as our stage manager create a truly safe process where we can be vulnerable and express our emotions to each other and then find the needed moments that create the humor our characters share out of the circumstances and their differences, is a gift to actors."

The play explores themes of unlikely friendships, aging, loss, and personal growth. Which of the themes resonates most strongly with you and why?

"Grace resonates with me in so many ways according to my own life. Aging, loss of the family farm, loved ones passing, moving away from organized religion but staying spiritually connected to a higher power and finding connections with other people of all ages and walks of life in various unlikely ways."

Did the two of you work together before or know each other? How do you work together to create the believable bond that develops between Grace and Glorie?

"I have followed Ryan since I first saw her in a small part at Stray Cat Theatre. She held me with her presence.  Then I really saw her huge talent in Sunset Baby at Black Theatre Troupe. I have seen her perform many times since and I have gone up to her at auditions and expressed how I would love to be able to work with her.  I truly think somehow this was meant to be and I am so grateful. "

What do you hope audiences will take away from experiencing this play and these two characters at Black Theatre Troupe?

"I hope the audience takes with them the beauty of life. What we all have in common being human when the heart opens and guides us. Lord knows, we sure need that now more than anything!"

Ryan L. Jenkins 

What can you tell us about the character you play and what do you find most compelling about her story?

"Gloria Whitmore has worked hard to define success on her terms. She wants to be respected, and for her efforts and talents to be acknowledged. The way she voices her opinion, vocally advocates for others, and challenges traditional ideals of gender roles and religion have been fascinating to investigate and craft."

How did you approach portraying the emotional journey these women go through while still bringing out the humor in the script?

"All the pain, fear, uncertainty, and brevity is rooted in the truth of these character's lives and the moments they share. They connect through their explorations of the beautiful AND ugly sides of life itself, through the lenses of their respective lives. Allowing space for us to express heavier emotions as raw and messy as they can be gives the humorous and touching moments a deeper resonance as well."

The play explores themes of unlikely friendships, aging, loss, and personal growth. Which of the themes resonates most strongly with you and why?

"Currently, aging and loss are resonating most with me. The concept of time and change is ever present, and brings aging and loss with it. We lose loved ones as we age, and at times we lose parts of ourselves (for better and worse) as we experience life. Aging is a temporary privilege that is too often stigmatized and feared, while a person's life is equally too often celebrated at its end. "

Did the two of you work together before or know each other? How do you work together to create the believable bond that develops between Grace and Glorie?

"This is my first time working with Shari, and I've been a fan of her work for years now. The rehearsal process has granted us time to personally connect in addition to crafting these characters and their stories."

What do you hope audiences will take away from experiencing this play and these two characters at Black Theatre Troupe?

"There is strength in caring for others, AND caring about others."

CLICK HERE for more information on Grace and Glorie at Black Theatre Troupe, which runs September 5-September 21

GRACE AND GLORIE - Black Theatre Troupe - September 5–21, 2025

By Tom Ziegler

Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center

Glorie, a former high-powered New York City executive and her family move to the south. In her role as a hospice volunteer, she grows close to an illiterate elderly farm woman. Set in Virginia, Grace and Glorie is a touching and funny story of two ordinary women and their extraordinary stories. Grace, is a strong willed and fiercely independent woman who has returned to her beloved land to spend her final days. As their very different lives intertwine, we see each gain new perspectives on life’s highs and lows. 

Season Flex Passes are now available, offering 4-play, 3-play, and 2-play packages at $159, $129, and $89 respectively. Passes can be used in any combination for any play or any seat—excluding Black Nativity, which is not eligible for Flex Pass redemption. Season Flex Passes and single tickets are available at blacktheatretroupe.org or by calling (602) 258-8128.

CAROLINE, OR CHANGE - Black Theatre Troupe - October 17–November 2, 2025

Book and Lyrics by Tony Kushner

Music by Jeanine Tesori

Tempe Center for the Arts

The time is 1963 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Caroline Thibodeaux, an African-American mother of three, works for a Jewish family. She and their eight-year-old son Noah, find themselves in the middle of a family conflict during the Christmas and Chanukah holidays. Combining gospel and the sounds of Motown with operatic stylings, this sparkling gem of a musical illuminates the changing times of the Civil Rights era while examining the social and family issues our diverse culture still struggles with today.

Season Flex Passes are now available, offering 4-play, 3-play, and 2-play packages at $159, $129, and $89 respectively. Passes can be used in any combination for any play or any seat—excluding Black Nativity, which is not eligible for Flex Pass redemption. Season Flex Passes and single tickets are available at blacktheatretroupe.org or by calling (602) 258-8128.