Newark Symphony Hall announced Yendor Theatre Company as its first company-in-residence. YTC’s first production with the venue will be Richard Wesley’s “Black Terror,” co-produced by WACO Theater Center, which is based out of Los Angeles’ North Hollywood neighborhood. The production will be directed by WACO’s Co-Artistic Director, Richard Lawson, and will live-stream online this summer. Wesley, the award-winning playwright, screenwriter and New York University professor, wrote “Black Terror” when he was 26 years old. The gripping and militant depiction of Black revolution was originally staged as part of the Shakespeare Festival in New York City in 1971. “Black Terror” is also a part of a new slate of virtual programming for NSH, including “Homegrown,” an interview-style series sharing the stories of prominent artists and entertainers born and raised in Newark.
YTC will also be the first resident of The Lab at Newark Symphony Hall, a career accelerator and business incubator focused on the performing arts. The program is being launched with financial support from Newark Arts.
The virtual production will initiate NSH’s “Lab” – which aims to promote unique programs and performing artists in the Greater Newark region. The Lab will be NSH’s business incubator and career accelerator for live entertainment, including musicians, singers, dancers, actors, spoken word artists, directors and theater technical staff.
Lawson will serve as director and will mentor and advise YTC’s Co-Founder, Andrew Binger. Both NSH and WACO will host bi-coastal calls for auditions, and each venue will cast half of the actors. Local performing artists are invited to register and become participants in the Lab at Newark Symphony Hall program. Applicants will receive access to training and career-advancing resources and opportunities.
Nash Laird originally met YTC’s Binger in the Victoria Emerging Leaders Program at Rutgers Business School’s Institute for Ethical Leadership. She served as Binger’s mentor in the training program.
