Sade Lythcott Reveals National Black Theater's Next Chapter & Community Impact

Sep 20, 2025

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Sade Lythcott is the CEO of the National Black Theater in New York City, carrying forward her mother Dr. Barbara Ann Teer’s powerful legacy as founder of the institution in 1968. As a passionate advocate for Black artistry and storytelling, Sade has guided NBT through transformative times—including the COVID-19 pandemic and a major capital redevelopment project—while championing a holistic approach to theater production. Her leadership centers on honoring the dreams of her ancestors and creating spaces where Black voices, culture, and community thrive. Sade is dedicated to reimagining what theater can be, ensuring NBT remains a vibrant, innovative, and welcoming home for Black creatives, histories, and futures.

Key Takeaways:

Honoring Legacy While Innovating: Sade Lythcott centers her leadership around fulfilling her mother’s vision and the ancestral legacy of the National Black Theater, while pioneering new models like holistic producing and immersive storytelling experiences for the future.
Holistic Producing: NBT’s unique approach to theater, known as holistic producing, weaves together best-in-class artistic production with community engagement and social impact, ensuring every show supports both storytelling and civic dialogue.
Building for the Future: The upcoming redevelopment of NBT’s Harlem home represents both a physical and symbolic return "home" for Black theater artists. With new performance venues and residential spaces opening in 2027, the project is designed to be a lasting ecosystem where creatives can live, work, and serve.

Sound Bites:

"Never pray for strength, because you only get strength through struggle. Instead, I pray for grace and clarity."

"Holistic producing is best-in-class productions, dramaturgy, and community building—it’s about making you sit a little longer in the story and having real conversations together."

"When we cut that ribbon, it will be a testament—black artistry and storytelling will finally have a home, a monument to black excellence grown from generations of dreams."

Connect & Discover Sade:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sade1111/?hl=en

Website: https://nationalblacktheatre.org/

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