Hattiloo Theatre building to open in Overton Square
By Amanda Ivory/MicroMemphis Reporter
March 27, 2014
The new Hattiloo Theatre is expected to be completed in June, near other established theatres such as Playhouse on the Square.
Currently located on Marshall Avenue, the Hattiloo Theatre brings the presence of black theatre to Memphis.
“There aren’t a lot of opportunities for African-Americans to perform, to direct and to design in Memphis,” said artistic director Ekundayo Bandele. “I think that’s the first thing, to make certain that there are opportunities for locals to get the training that they need, and to introduce our city to a lot of black playwrights that otherwise wouldn’t get known.”
The company has been around since 2006, and Bandele believes that moving is the best choice. He has been wanting to move for three years. There are reasons that he gave, such as more room for larger plays and space for the performers. However, the location of Overton Square is also important.
“We’re trying to expand our audience to people who don’t have experience with live theatre, and I think in Overton Square we’re going to have more white patrons than we usually do,” said Bandele. With all of the activity in Overton Square, people will feel more comfortable coming there.”
Hattiloo’s new location is near three other theatres, Playhouse on the Square, Circuit Playhouse and Theatre Works, making the new building immersed in the theatre district, which Bandele feels is another benefit. “I think we’re going to learn from one another, I think we’re going to share audiences, and I think we’re going to really expand the cultural breadth of all our audiences.”
Cooper-Young resident Jackie Lawson has never been to a Hattiloo show, but was interested to learn about the new theatre in Overton Square.
“It could be cool because there’s already some theatre groups over there,” she said. “I’d have more plays that I could see, and I wouldn’t have to go very far to see them.”
Although this move does have its benefits, Bandele mentioned concerns that others have had about the situation. Even with the company’s fiscal responsibility and the support of the community, there has been some reluctance towards this development.
“There’s never been a multimillion dollar building erected solely for the black arts in Memphis,” he said. “And we’re a young organization, so it was more a matter of do we have the fiscal support to satisfy the increase costs of having a larger building.”
However, the new building has much support, from donors such as ArtsMemphis and FedEx, and will be completed soon, with the company moving into it in June. Hattiloo’s first show at that location will not be far behind, and they will be performing Once on This Island in July.
The company is going to have more possibilities to look forward to, with a black film festival and a performing arts festival next year, along with the addition of acting and dancing classes. The Hattiloo Theatre is on its way to having an even larger presence, and moving to Overton Square is just the start.
For more information, go to Hattiloo’s website.
March 27, 2014
The new Hattiloo Theatre is expected to be completed in June, near other established theatres such as Playhouse on the Square.
Currently located on Marshall Avenue, the Hattiloo Theatre brings the presence of black theatre to Memphis.
“There aren’t a lot of opportunities for African-Americans to perform, to direct and to design in Memphis,” said artistic director Ekundayo Bandele. “I think that’s the first thing, to make certain that there are opportunities for locals to get the training that they need, and to introduce our city to a lot of black playwrights that otherwise wouldn’t get known.”
The company has been around since 2006, and Bandele believes that moving is the best choice. He has been wanting to move for three years. There are reasons that he gave, such as more room for larger plays and space for the performers. However, the location of Overton Square is also important.
“We’re trying to expand our audience to people who don’t have experience with live theatre, and I think in Overton Square we’re going to have more white patrons than we usually do,” said Bandele. With all of the activity in Overton Square, people will feel more comfortable coming there.”
Hattiloo’s new location is near three other theatres, Playhouse on the Square, Circuit Playhouse and Theatre Works, making the new building immersed in the theatre district, which Bandele feels is another benefit. “I think we’re going to learn from one another, I think we’re going to share audiences, and I think we’re going to really expand the cultural breadth of all our audiences.”
Cooper-Young resident Jackie Lawson has never been to a Hattiloo show, but was interested to learn about the new theatre in Overton Square.
“It could be cool because there’s already some theatre groups over there,” she said. “I’d have more plays that I could see, and I wouldn’t have to go very far to see them.”
Although this move does have its benefits, Bandele mentioned concerns that others have had about the situation. Even with the company’s fiscal responsibility and the support of the community, there has been some reluctance towards this development.
“There’s never been a multimillion dollar building erected solely for the black arts in Memphis,” he said. “And we’re a young organization, so it was more a matter of do we have the fiscal support to satisfy the increase costs of having a larger building.”
However, the new building has much support, from donors such as ArtsMemphis and FedEx, and will be completed soon, with the company moving into it in June. Hattiloo’s first show at that location will not be far behind, and they will be performing Once on This Island in July.
The company is going to have more possibilities to look forward to, with a black film festival and a performing arts festival next year, along with the addition of acting and dancing classes. The Hattiloo Theatre is on its way to having an even larger presence, and moving to Overton Square is just the start.
For more information, go to Hattiloo’s website.