Through the magic of theatre, Laurence Holder’s Zora allows us to celebrate and explore the prolific life of renowned Harlem Renaissance writer, Zora Neal Hurston, by giving light to her glorious literary journey and its contributions to America’s most treasured literary canon. Sometimes called the “Queen of Harlem Renaissance,” Hurston’s most well-known work is a novel called “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” written in 1937. Previous productions of Zora have included actors Elizabeth Van Dyke and Tim Johnson and direction by Wynn Handman, and were recognized by Audelco Awards for Excellence in Black Theatre.

The Essential Theatre is a non-profit professional theatre dedicated, but not limited to producing theatre reflective of the African-American experience that explores and celebrates America's rich, diverse cultural landscape. Paramount to the company’s mission is the implementation of programs for youth in Washington, DC's metropolitan area that promotes interdisciplinary education and positive levels of self-esteem.

Founded in 1989, the company hosts a play development program, The Essential Theatre’s New Play Reading Series, the Children’s Program in Public Schools, and the Women’s Works Program.  The company also maintains a relationship with area Social Services programs in an effort to provide job training opportunities.

The New Play Reading Series gives voice to work of new and established playwrights. It is in substance an incubator that serves to nurture the work of participating writers for a three-year period in a supportive and collaborative environment with other artisans, actors, and directors. Further, it is a forum where audience members are welcomed to engage in an open, frank dialogue with playwrights about issues presented in the material as well as techniques used to present them. The New Play Reading Series was initiated in the spring of 1992.

Institutional Objectives

• To create new theatre audiences.
• To find, encourage and train new talent.
• To produce theatre entertainment with unique appeal.
• To provide all people in our community an outlet for creative expression.