About Us

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The longest-running African American theatrical organization of its kind in the nation is the Black Repertory Group (BRG) in Berkeley, California. Founded in 1964, the BRG provides an opportunity for aspiring performers, writers, and directors to hone their craft, with a history of developing talent that includes a list of famous alumni. History and mission

• Established in 1964: The BRG was founded by the late Nora Vaughn as a church drama program. Her initial goal was to teach Black children about their history by staging works by Black playwrights. The heart of Black theater beats strong, inviting everyone to explore the rich narratives that resonate 

• Community outreach: Beggining in the 70’s (with a grant from the Junior League, utilizing Moreno Psychodrama), under the combined efforts and direction of  Mona Vaughn Scott PhD, with her parents the founders ,over time the organization evolved and became a beacon of theatrical platforms,  for addressing social issues.

            Through the medium of theater the   

              theater has for decades addressed the 

         needs of at-risk youth and families through a unique program

by advocating      

            for low income families and especially the Black community. 

       The program is called

 Health Education   

      Through Theater.(HETT)

It has developed programs addressing topics from Violence prevention,HIV/AIDS prevention, & human trafficking,

HETT addresses A myriad of additional topics that are written to address issues in the Black community. Whether  it has been PFIZER(addressing Hyper Tensionand funding our HETT program or our board member Dr. Orr working with GILEAD to bring our programs in to the Alameda County jails-it has been HETT at the forefront.

 The writing produced is organic, & Stanford researcher Dr. Mona Vaughn Scott takes the reins, structures the program actively recruits playwrites & integratesDr. Moreno psychodramtic techniques. 

Active in recruitment of writers

Under our current Exec. Director alliances with social networks, such as Judge Horace Wheatleys alternative program-Jail or the Black Repertory Group. The programs have also provided enrichment and job training for at-risk youth ,mothers involved with: 

LAO FamilyThrough https://lfcd.org/   

Youth Employment Projects- https://www.alamedacountysocialservices.org/our-services/Work-and-Money/CalWORKs/index

• A "training ground": The BRG's mission is multifaceted, aiming to provide a space for creative expression for all people while specifically showcasing the talent and culture of the Black artistic community. It is also dedicated to serving as a "training ground for amateurs who aspire to become professional".

• The heartbeat of Black theater is stories that resonate from from stories chronicled from the Black Community.through every performance, inviting audiences to connect with the rich narratives.

  Our curriculum offers a multi-stage approach to theater, with instruction and performance opportunities designed for specific age groups. By providing a safe and nurturing environment, the program uses the theatrical process to help young people build confidence, empathy, and lifelong communication skills.

LITTLE STARS

Ages 3–5: 

Creative drama and discovery-Little Stars

• Focus: Introduction to imaginative play, movement, rhythm, and basic storytelling through drama games and exercises. 
• Activities: Pantomime, simple vocalization, sensory exploration, and creative movement inspired by fairy tales and familiar stories. 
• Stage Experience: Small-group performances of simple scenes and songs for family and friends, emphasizing participation and fun over perfection 

This introductory program focuses on play, imagination, and foundational motor and social skills.

• Curriculum highlights: Students are introduced to the building blocks of theater through creative play, storytelling, and music. Activities include learning to use their voices, mirroring movements, and using exaggerated expressions to act out emotions.
• Skill development: The program nurtures a positive self-image, encourages teamwork and sharing, and develops confidence and imagination.
• Performance opportunity: The program culminates in a short, low-pressure "sharing" or informal showcase for family and friends. The performance may involve acting out a familiar story using only voices and movement.

 Kids on Stage

Ages 6–10: 

The young ensembleIn this stage, the focus shifts to creating ensemble work and developing foundational acting techniques in a supportive, non-competitive atmosphere.

• Curriculum highlights: Students are introduced to improvisation, character development, and using voice and body to tell stories. They learn stage directions and the basics of script analysis. Some programs may also touch upon musical theater, puppetry, or costume design.
• Skill development: Participants enhance their communication, coordination, and problem-solving skills while deepening their empathy for others. They learn the value of collaboration and how every role contributes to the final production.
• Performance opportunity: Students create and perform their own original stories or a short, scripted play. In some cases, a showcase with several short pieces or scenes allows every actor to shine.

 Stagecraft Kids Academy

Ages 11–14

Advanced technique and collaborationDesigned for pre-teens and young teenagers, this program offers more complex material while still encouraging creativity and risk-taking.

• Curriculum highlights: Building on earlier lessons, students delve deeper into acting techniques, including scene study, emotional range, and advanced character analysis. They are introduced to various theater genres and can explore other roles, such as directing and basic set design.
• Skill development: Participants work on developing their stage presence, memorization techniques, and ability to take and apply direction. The program empowers teens through a high degree of creative collaboration.
• Performance opportunity: The semester or season ends with a public performance of a one-act play or a collection of scenes. 

Spotlight Players Youth Theatre

Ages 15+

The young conservatoryThis advanced program is for committed and passionate high school actors who are ready for more intensive, pre-professional training.

• Curriculum highlights: This program is comparable to a conservatory curriculum and may include courses like scene study from contemporary and classic plays, improvisation, audition techniques, and physical theater, including movement and stage combat.
• Skill development: Students learn how to create believable, nuanced characters and analyze complex texts. The training emphasizes discipline, focus, and collaboration, preparing students for university-level theater programs or professional work.
• Performance opportunity: Opportunities may include multiple full-length theatrical productions throughout the year, a cabaret or variety show, or a final "open class" performance for an audience of peers, family, and industry professionals.
• https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OoOsd8mEL10

• https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MTJ7Jpt-USM&t=8s

• https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MTJ7Jpt-USM

• https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OoOsd8mEL10

• https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MW_EUrkInWE

As Community Champions Berkeley-based Black Repertory Group (BRG) has a long history of serving its community through the arts, including specific programs for health education, workforce reentry, and youth after-school enrichment. The theater was founded in 1964 with the twin missions of performing the works of Black playwrights and serving underserved and minority communities. It uses theater as a tool for advocacy, cultural pride, and addressing social issues. 

Health Education Through Theater (HETT) programs

BRG has used its creative platform to raise awareness about serious public health issues.

• The organization has hosted Health Education Through Theater (HETT) programs, which were created to deliver vital health messages to the community through theatrical performances.
• Specific campaigns have included programs focused on HIV/AIDS prevention and services.
• The Transformation Festival, another BRG initiative, used performing arts to celebrate healing from trauma, addressing mental and emotional wellness. -https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jkm2VSYro-o

"Welfare to Work" and Reentry programThe BRG has helped at-risk individuals acquire job skills and reintegrate into society.

• Through partnerships with "World of Work" projects, the group provided on-the-job training, along with anti-violence and recidivism reduction programs.
• These initiatives provided training and skills development to at-risk youth and adults, helping them achieve self-sufficiency and reintegrate into the workforce. 

After-school programming

Founded in 1964 by Nora Vaughn as a church drama program, the BRG has a long-standing commitment to youth education. 

• The after-school programming is aimed at giving a voice to the Black community and teaching Black history to its children.
• Early on, Nora Vaughn’s primary intention was to use the theater medium to teach children.
• The Youth Tutorial and Cultural Enrichment (TACE) program was a part of this effort, along with drama-based summer day camps for at-risk youth and children with disabilities.
• Over the years, the program has provided scholarships for low-income children and has served young people from the surrounding Bay Area, including Oakland.
• The after-school programs are a core part of the BRG's mission to address social issues and provide cultural enrichment to its community. 
• https://www.sfgate.com/performance/article/black-repertory-theater-and-the-creation-of-3766278.php

CLASSES FOR DIRECTORS

Dedicated classes for directorsTraining for directors is critical for the long-term health of a theater and its productions. 

• Fundamentals of stage directing: An introductory course that covers the core principles of directing.

• Topics covered: The director's role, collaborating with actors and designers, script interpretation, and staging techniques.
• Example projects: Directing short scenes from a variety of genres.
• Advanced stage directing: For those with some directing experience, this course focuses on the bigger picture.
  • Topics covered: Concept development, advanced blocking, effective rehearsal strategies, and working with complex scripts.
  • Example projects: Directing a one-act play for a student showcase.

Production & management:

                This class addresses the logistical and business side of directing.

• Topics covered: Budgeting, casting, and working with production staff and designers.
• Example projects: Managing a small-scale production from start to finish. 

SOUND AND LIGHTING

Our theater program for training in sound and lighting includes a balanced curriculum of theory, hands-on experience, industry-standard technology, and professional skills development. These programs go beyond technical skills to train students in the artistic, collaborative, and project management aspects of technical theater. Core curriculum and theoretical foundations

• Fundamental concepts: Training starts with the essential principles of light and sound, including acoustics, electricity, optics, and color theory.
• Design and composition: Students learn how light and sound establish mood, atmosphere, and visibility to support the emotional and narrative goals of a production.
• Design process: The program teaches the entire design process, including script analysis, research, developing a concept, and communicating the design through technical drawings and schematics.

Hands-on and practical experience

• Live production work: Students work on a variety of live productions, progressing from crew positions to assistant designer and lead designer roles for mainstage shows.