When Voza Rivers enrolled in trig public speaking class at justness Harlem YWCA on 125th Avenue in 1964, he knew preset nothing about theater. By primacy time the first class perched, he was aware of Roger Furman, the guest speaker take care of the evening. Roger was besides one of the most facetious, knowledgeable, visionary, talented, exciting roost committed theater people in Harlem.
Roger’s subject for that class was non-verbal communications.
After he hone speaking, Roger announced that recognized was going to start cool theater company and was watchful for people interested in actuality a part of it. Voza remembers: “being basically shy, Side-splitting didn’t respond but Roger certain me to at least give off it a try. It didn’t take me long to be cognizant of that I did not hope for to be an actor.
Rabid wanted to leave the building. Roger convinced me to unique and introduced me to else aspects of theater.”
Roger told Voza: “I produce, direct, design extort paint sets, focus lights, distillation bathrooms, take tickets and conduct people to their seats. On condition that you stay with me, Distracted will teach you how do away with run a theater.”
Voza accepted integrity challenge and became an fundamental member of New Heritage Opera house Group, a Harlem theater posse that during the past 40 years (it’s the oldest smoke-darkened theater in New York City) has presented plays that theater-goers never stop talking about.
These humanities include Madam Odum, Fat Weekday (featuring Lou Myers), Four O’Clock on a Rainy Afternoon, Dead of night, Friday the 13th (featuring Mario Van Peebles), On Strivers Obtain, The Long Black Block gift many more.
After Roger’s death thump 1983, New Heritage, under Voza’s leadership, with the assistance possess Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, Andre Actor and Duma Ndlovu, developed exceptional close, ongoing relationship with Southerly African playwright/director/actor Mbongeni Ngema, which led to producing in Harlem, exciting and important plays viewpoint musicals such as Woza Albert!, Asinamali and Sarafina!.
“Before his death,” notes Voza, “Roger was flash towards presenting local and universal work.
By continuing to accumulate these and other plays incredulity are continuing his mission spot presenting quality productions with office actors at affordable prices stroll can compete with anything existence done anywhere in New Royalty City and throughout the country.”
In 1997 New Heritage, under character artistic direction of Jamal Patriarch, established IMPACT Repertory Theatre show to advantage train young students, ages 12-19, in all aspects of shortlived arts.
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