Valerie Curtis-Newton, Artistic Director

Currently Head of Directing at the University of Washington's School of Drama, she has served as the Artistic Director of Hartford Connecticut's Performing Ensemble, Inc. (1987-1993) and the Artistic Director for Seattle's Ethnic Cultural Theatre (1993-1998). She has directed the world premieres of Constance Congdon's The Midwife's Apprentice, and Kia Corthron's The Venus De Milo Is Armed as well as well-received productions of Porcelain, Joe Turner's Come and Gone, Neat, Santos & Santos, Stevedore, Blood Knot, Chain and Hiro. Her credits include work with Mark Taper Forum, Actors' Theatre of Louisville, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Seattle Children's Theatre, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Northwest Asian American Theatre, Southern Repertory Theatre and The Empty Space Theatre. Valerie has been a participant in the National Endowment for the Arts/Theatre Communications Group Career Development Program for Directors in 1997-1999, assisting Tina Landau, Lisa Petersen, Gordon Edelstein and Sharon Ott. She was also the recipient of the 2001-2002 SDCF Gielgud Directing Fellowship, assisting and observing Libby Appel at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.




Vivian Phillips, Managing Producer

Vivian is the Executive Producer of Sankofa Theatre – A Maafa Experience, and has worked with numerous arts organizations locally as an arts manager and volunteer. She was the Associate Director for the Seattle Landmark Association, operator of the Paramount and Moore Theatres, and has provided outreach and marketing services for touring productions, including Bring in da Noise, Bring in da Funk. She has served as a Seattle Arts Commissioner and as Director of Communications for Mayor Paul Schell. Ms. Phillips has been or is currently active as a board member and leader of several arts organizations, including The Tribes Project, Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas, the Langston Hughes Cultural Arts Center, and Seattle Theatre Group.

A Contemporary Theatre (ACT), Our Producing Partner

As a center of contemporary theatre, ACT consistently produces diverse work, and the theatre's consciousness continues to evolve. ACT believes that the African American artist and audience must be acknowledged in a much deeper way than they are presently acknowledged in our society. The time has come to move forward by creating African American theatre that does more than marginally connect with our audiences; it is specifically and solely derived from and about the African American community. This, in conjunction with the development of African American artists, playwrights, actors, and designers is our present goal and challenge.

 

ACT considers the Hansberry Project an extremely important and essential next step toward the development of a theatre that is curated by African American artists and managers, and fully invested in by the community. While Seattle is a respected regional theatre town, it lacks the voice of an initiative like the Hansberry Project. If Seattle is to have a completely voiced theatrical community, we must develop professional theatre that is, in and of itself, an authentic voice for the expression of the African American experience.

Contact Us

The Hansberry Project at ACT
Kreielsheimer Place
700 Union Street
Seattle WA 98101-4037
Phone: (206) 292-7660 ext 1225
Fax: (206) 292-7670
E-mail: valviv@hansberryproject.org
We can also be reached at:
vcurtisnewton@acttheatre.org or vphillips@acttheatre.org