More than five decades later, NBT’s core mission remains the same. Today, NBT further stretches that mission to educate, enrich, entertain, empower, and inform national consciousness around social justice issues that impact our country. In 2023, NBT made Broadway history and its debut with the transfer and co-production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play FAT HAM by James Ijames, making it the third Black theatre company in the history of ‘The Great White Way’ to ever do so. The following season, NBT won its first Tony Award for its revival of Purlie Victorious.

Holding tight to the founding principles of ownership, self-determination, and human transformation, NBT continues to support Black artists and surpass new milestones with over 350 original theatre works, including an associate partnership with  National Black Theatre of Sweden. The work and accomplishments of National Black Theatre have solidified its position at the leading edge of theatre development, production, and innovation nationwide. National Black Theatre also leverages its position and voice to advocate for sector-wide changes, local legislative policy, and funding needs. NBT is an AEA Equity house and a member of Theatre Communications Group, A.R.T./New York, Harlem Arts Alliance, and the Coalition of Theatres of Color.

Under the current leadership of Chief Executive Officer, Sade Lythcott, daughter of NBT’s founder, and Executive Artistic Director, Jonathan McCrory, NBT remains anchored in the Liberationist spirit of the past, tapped into the beating pulse of the present and serves as a catalyzing force for our collective creative future.