Africana Studies / Rites and Reason Theatre
About the Theatre
Rites and Reason Theatre provides a critical, scholarly space to explore the essential creative practices of the Diaspora, while training students to utilize and interpret the performing arts rooted in the cultural traditions and expressions of African descended people around the globe.
About the Theatre
Rites and Reason Theatre provides a critical, scholarly space to explore the essential creative practices of the Diaspora, while training students to utilize and interpret the performing arts rooted in the cultural traditions and expressions of African descended people around the globe.
The Afro-American Studies Program of Brown University and its arts component, Rites and Reason, has successfully developed and produced projects examining aspects of humanistic issues dealing with the evolution of culture and civilization in the New World. The Program and Rites and Reason have endeavored to create an interdisciplinary fusion of methods, ideas ·and peoples by creating means by which scholars, artists and community members address public issues. All these projects have proceeded with the assumption that the humanities should not be the property of the scholarly class, but should be accessible to Americans of every class, background and educational level. In order to accomplish this difficult goal, the Program has developed innovative forums for humanistic research and presentation which embrace the formal concerns of the scholarly community and the reflective…traditions of the public community.
Co-Founder, Rites and Reason Theatre and former Chair, Afro-American Studies
Developing New Creative Works
Rites and Reason Theatre is a space for artists, writers, and scholars to explore and engage Africana intellectual and cultural traditions together, translating them into innovative theatrical and expressive forms.
Since 1970 Rites and Reason Theatre has developed and produced over 100 plays and a wide range of artistic projects. Historically, Rites and Reason Theatre has worked with Tougaloo College, the National Black Theatre in Harlem, AS220, Rhode Island Black Storytellers, Everett Company Stage and School, and many other organizations in the Providence community and beyond.
All works developed, produced and/or presented at Rites and Reason Theatre are new original works rooted in scholarship. We are not accepting unsolicited scripts at this time.
We welcome Brown University students and members of the off-campus community to join us on stage, behind the scenes or in the audience. Join our newsletter and follow us on social media for announcements and opportunities as they arise.
The George Houston Bass Performing Arts Space
Named after our Founding Artistic Director, our black box theatre is home to Rites and Reason Theatre and primarily used for departmental performances and special events.
While we are not considered a reservable or rentable space, on occasion we will support an on-campus event and/or support local artists and arts organizations via co-sponsorship and/or space use agreement. All inquiries for use of space are considered on a case-by-case basis pending staff capacity and the Department’s programmatic priorities. The Department reserves the right to decline proposals. To inquire about space availability, contact africana_studies@brown.edu with the SUBJ line “Request re: George Houston Bass Performing Arts Space”. Please allow 3-5 business days for a response.
Rites and Reason Theatre is one of the oldest Black theatres in the nation.