About Ebony Repertory Theatre

Founded by Wren T. Brown and Israel Hicks in June 2007, Ebony Repertory Theatre (ERT) is the Resident Company and Operator of the beautiful 400 hundred seat Nate Holden Performing Arts Center. ERT holds the distinction of being the only African American professional theatre company, (Actors Equity) in Los Angeles. With award winning theatre as its cornerstone, ERT also presents a music series, a dance series, lecture series and other perennial programming. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director, Wren T. Brown and Managing Director, Gayle Hooks, ERT's commitment is to bring diverse, high standard, professional performing arts to the Mid-City community, as well as the greater Los Angeles area, making the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center a Cultural Destination!

Philosophy

Historians record facts and events; scholars analyze and interpret them; but it’s left to the artist to seek the truth, hold it up as a mirror so that society can see itself for what it is as well as what it can become. The role of the artist is to provoke, confront, agitate, inspire and ultimately appeal to our more honorable instincts. Our artists give us a context for our struggle and a roadmap toward our triumph. They instill a belief that we not only can endure but overcome. The artist must be valued, protected and nurtured in order for the individual as well as the larger community to maximize their full potential.

Mission

To create, develop, nurture and sustain a world- class professional theatre rooted in the experience of the African Diaspora.

Goals

  • To provide a permanent home for artists of color that enables those artists to explore, experience and present a wide-ranging variety of programs that reflect the significant canon of African-American literary, artistic and cultural achievements;
  • To build and expand a multicultural audience that contributes to the cultural understanding among people of diverse backgrounds.

Leadership

  • Wren T. Brown, Producing Artistic Director
  • Gayle Hooks, Managing Director
Nate Holden Performing Arts CenterWren T. Brown and Israel Hicks

Founders Israel Hicks and Wren T. Brown