The New Federal Theatre
*The New Federal Theatre is celebrated on this date in 1970. This is a theatre company named after the African American branch of the Federal Theatre Project, which was created in the United States during the Great Depression to provide resources for theatre and other artistic programs.
Woodie King Jr. founded the New Federal Theatre in the multi-ethnic area of the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York City. The company received its original funding from a small grant from the New York State Council of the Arts and from the Henry Street Settlement. While the first season was conducted in the St. Augustine Church basement, construction of the Louis Abrons Arts Center was completed in 1974 through the Henry Street Settlement.
The administrative offices of New Federal Theatre relocated to St. Augustine's Church in 1996, while the company continues to operate out of the Louis Abrons Art Center, where it holds productions and training programs. Today, the New Federal Theatre offers acting and playwriting workshops for its students at several locations on Henry Street in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The Dewey Cultural Center is located on St. Nicholas Avenue in New York City. The Department of Cultural Affairs recently cut its $15,000 funding to the New Heritage Theatre Group, the New Federal Theatre, and the Negro Ensemble Company, which the companies intend to appeal.
