Board members and CEOs from Playhouse Square and Karamu House pose for a photo before the big announcement, staff photo
In a joint announcement on Friday, Karamu House proudly revealed its groundbreaking affiliation with Playhouse Square, solidifying a unique bond as the first-ever “affiliate company.” This collaboration signifies a momentous partnership between two prominent Northeast Ohio arts organizations, recognized for their contributions to the local cultural landscape.
Expressing enthusiasm for this milestone, Tony F. Sias, President & CEO of Karamu House, shared, “It is indeed an honor for Karamu House to be recognized as Playhouse Square’s first affiliate company.” This designation holds particular significance as Karamu House, the oldest Black-producing theatre in the nation, stands poised to expand its audience, share resources, and maintain a lasting presence at the acclaimed Playhouse Square.
Craig Hassall, Playhouse Square President & CEO Craig Hassall said, “I’m so pleased we’ve established our affiliate company designation with the venerable Karamu House,” “This gives both organizations the opportunity to explore a deeper creative partnership, but this does not mean Karamu House is moving to Playhouse Square.
Pictured: Tony Sias, President & CEO of Karamu House with Craig Hassall, Playhouse Square President & CEO , staff photo
While celebrating this achievement, again, it is crucial to clarify that this affiliation does not entail a physical relocation from Karamu House. The historic theatre company will continue its operations from its beloved home in the Historic Fairfax District. Instead, the aim is to introduce Playhouse Square audiences to Karamu House’s rich artistic offerings and reciprocally introduce Karamu House patrons to the diverse experiences available at Playhouse Square.
During the past two seasons, Karamu House performed its holiday show, Black Nativity at Playhouse Square and looks forward to reprising the performance again this year. Looking ahead, Playhouse Square envisions establishing additional affiliate company relationships, emphasizing collaboration and mutual support within the Northeast Ohio arts community.
As this new chapter unfolds, the Karamu House team is excited about the prospects this affiliation brings, enhancing the patron experience for both organizations and contributing to the vibrancy of the local arts scene. For more details about Karamu House, visit karamuhouse.org.
editors note: portions of this story were written with the assistance of AI
