Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Celebrating African-American Theatre & Performing Arts in Philadelphia
Bushfire Theatre of Performing Arts has been dedicated to advancing the work of African-American playwrights, actors, directors, and theatre professionals for nearly five decades. Founded in 1975, we present a season of plays that depict the African American experience while offering youth and adult classes in acting, directing, and playwriting. Our main stage accommodates 433 patrons, with three additional intimate spaces for new script development and puppet theatre. As we approach our 50th anniversary season, we continue to invest in community engagement through educational programs and artistic innovation.Our venue includes the historic Walk of Fame honoring outstanding African-American artists, located outside our Philadelphia theater. We provide membership benefits including discounted tickets and event space rentals, supporting our mission to preserve and promote African-American performing arts. Through partnerships and community outreach initiatives like the Langston Hughes Playwright's Workshop, we remain committed to fostering artistic excellence and cultural dialogue.
Services
Youth Classes
Adult Classes
Playwright Workshops
Main-Stage Plays
Puppet Theatre
Details
- Year established: 1975
Highlights and features
- We have presented African-American theatre for nearly 50 years
- We offer educational programs for youth and adults
- Our venue includes four distinct performance spaces
- We maintain the first Walk of Fame for African-American artists
- We provide membership benefits including discounted tickets
What people say
Powerful performances
Excellent educational programs
Culturally significant
Historic venue
Community engagement
Services
Youth Classes
Our youth theatre programs develop young talent through structured acting, directing, and playwriting instruction. Students gain performance experience while learning technical theatre skills in a supportive environment. Classes prepare participants for potential roles in our main-stage productions and special youth-focused shows.
Adult Classes
We offer professional development opportunities for adult performers and theatre professionals. Courses cover advanced acting techniques, directing methodologies, and playwriting workshops with established African-American playwrights. Participants gain access to industry networking and potential casting opportunities in our productions.
Main-Stage Plays
Our 433-seat auditorium hosts four major productions annually featuring African-American stories and talent. Current season includes historical dramas and contemporary works exploring social justice themes. Productions showcase both established playwrights and emerging voices in African-American theatre.
Puppet Theatre
Our dedicated puppet theatre space presents family-friendly shows that blend traditional puppetry with modern storytelling. These productions introduce younger audiences to theatrical arts while maintaining cultural relevance through African-American narratives and characters.
Playwright Workshops
The Langston Hughes Playwright's Workshop nurtures new African-American voices through script development programs. Selected playwrights receive mentorship, staged readings, and opportunities for full production. The program maintains a 45-year legacy of launching successful theatre careers and impactful new works.
People
Lloyd Richards
Broadway Director & Former Dean, Yale School of Drama
Renowned theatre director and educator who shaped American drama through his work with August Wilson and other African-American playwrights. Served as artistic director for major theatre companies and mentored generations of theatre professionals.
Questions
What types of plays do you produce?
We specialize in plays depicting the African American experience, including historical dramas, contemporary works, and original productions developed through our playwright workshops.
Do you offer educational programs for children?
Yes, we provide youth classes in acting, directing, and playwriting that develop theatrical skills while fostering cultural awareness through performance arts education.
How can I become a member?
Membership starts at $65 annually and includes benefits like free tickets to main-stage plays, discounted additional tickets, and venue rental discounts for special events.
What is the Walk of Fame?
Our outdoor Walk of Fame honors outstanding African-American artists from stage, screen, and television with permanent recognition plaques located at our theater entrance.
Are there performance opportunities for local artists?
We regularly audition local talent for main-stage productions and provide development opportunities through our playwright workshops and puppet theatre programs.
