Change is the basis of ALL history
PROJECT1VOICE
“It is imperative that our community spark renewed interest in the arts, the artists, and the organizations that nurture them.”
PROJECT1VOICE is proud to take on the challenge of trumpeting our artistic resources so that they can sustain themselves now and into the future.
“We all have the same purpose — to let the country know that Black theaters are important parts of the community, and in many cases, they’re struggling.”
PROJECT1VOICE is a national grassroots movement designed to support and cultivate artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation among African-American theatre organizations, along with preserving the legacies of these theaters and those of African-American playwrights.
“It is our mission to engage people of every age with a continuum of experiences that reflect the virtuosity, creativity, and inclusive spirit of the arts.”
PROJECT1VOICE was created by Erich McMillan-McCall in 2010 after observing that many theater organizations around the country were financially strapped and barely keeping afloat in this harsh economic climate. The problem was magnified even more among historically African-American theater organizations, which have been the mainstay of employment for many minority theater professionals.
With this in mind, Erich partnered with like-minded people and thus PROJECT1VOICE was born.
“Black theater is alive. It’s vital. It’s just not funded.”
– August Wilson
“I was inspired by two great quotes from August Wilson,” says McMillan-McCall, who grew up in College Hills, graduated from Ramsay High School and Birmingham-Southern College, and performed in numerous shows at Town and Gown Theatre. “He said, ‘Black theater is alive, and it’s vital; it’s just not funded,’ and he also once said his work ‘expresses the universal by targeting the specific.”
PROJECT1VOICE’s initiatives
Here are some key initiatives spearheaded by Project1VOICE, a performing arts service organization dedicated to amplifying African American theater:
1. One Play One Day
This signature program gathers theatre companies around the world to perform staged readings of a classic or notable African American play on the same day.
The event takes place annually on the third Monday in June.
This initiative serves to celebrate Black theater and playwrights, bring awareness to the genre, and raise funds for participating theatres.
Examples of plays featured in past “One Play One Day” events include Trouble in Mind and The Colored Museum.
2. PROJECT1VOICE Honors
This initiative recognizes and celebrates the contributions of individuals and organizations to the Black theater community.
Awards are given in categories such as Lifetime Achievement, Regional Theatre, Transformative Trailblazing, and Outstanding Service in the Arts.
3. Advocacy and support for African American theatre organizations
Project1VOICE advocates for the needs and interests of African American theatre companies, particularly those in underserved communities.
They provide support, resources, and networking opportunities for these organizations to help them thrive and continue their work.
4. Community engagement
Project1VOICE works to foster stronger connections and build trust within the community through active outreach and engagement.
They participate in local events, festivals, and fairs, sharing their mission and offering resources to promote recovery and well-being within the community.
5. Juneteenth celebrations
Project1VOICE actively celebrates Juneteenth, often associating the date with events like the One Play One Day initiative.
These celebrations highlight the rich history and contributions of Black theatre artists and the importance of this art form.
Through these initiatives, Project1VOICE plays a crucial role in promoting and sustaining African American theatre, ensuring its accessibility, and recognizing the talent and dedication of its artists and practitioners.
Trouble In Mind Mounted at Broadway’s American Airlines Theater, directed by Charles Randolph-Wright (MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL) and starred Leslie Uggams, Bill Irwin, La Chanze, and Andre DeShields. 18 other theaters participated nationwide.
To that end, McMillan-McCall and Project 1 Voice are expressing the struggle of arts groups in general by targeting black theaters specifically.
McMillan-McCall, who helped launch Aldridge Repertory Theatre, did most of his local work at Town and Gown under the direction of the late James Hatcher, whom he calls a “guiding light.” “He was a very driven man and had a clear focus for Town and Gown,” McMillan-McCall says. “He wanted people to know that there were some amazingly talented people in the state of Alabama.” McMillan-McCall hopes Project 1 Voice, which will be an annual event, does the same for black theaters.
The cast of Project 1 Voice Presents The Amen Corner by James Baldwin
The Amen Corner To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the death of James Baldwin, THE AMEN CORNER was produced at the Gerald Lynch Theater. Directed by Walter Dallas (August Wilson’s SEVEN GUITARS), it starred Chuck Cooper, Adriane Lenox, and Lillias White, with American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation provided by an on-stage ‘shadow cast’ from the National Association of Black Interpreters (NAOBI). 25 theaters participated nationwide. Attendance at many theaters was doubled or tripled from the previous year.
Project1VOICE NYC A SOLDIER’S PLAY cast at Kumble Theater with signers from the National Alliance of Black Interpreters (NAOBI) and members of The Negro Ensemble Company.
