Ebony Repertory Theatre


Ebony Repertory Theatre is a non-profit theatre company founded in June 2007 by Wren T. Brown
and the late Israel Hicks. ERT is the resident company and operator of the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, a 400-seat regional theatre in Los Angeles, California's Mid-City community. ERT, whose award-winning theatre is its cornerstone, is the only African American professional theatre company in Los Angeles. ERT also presents a music series, a dance series, lecture series and other perennial programming. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director, Wren T. Brown, ERT "seeks to bring diverse, high standard, professional performing arts to the Mid-City community..."
ERT is known for productions featuring performances by theatre, film and television actors, including Tony Award winners Roger Robinson, Ruben Santiago Hudson, L. Scott Caldwell, Leslie Odom Jr., Phylicia Rashad, Billy Porter and Garth Fagan, Emmy Award winners, Obba Babatunde, Blair Underwood, Keith David, Paula Kelly, Glynn Turman, Loretta Devine and Levar Burton, GRAMMY Award winners Dianne Reeves, Billy Childs, India Arie, Levar Burton and Blair Underwood, NEA Jazz Masters Award Winner Ahmad Jamal and Academy Award winner Ruth E. Carter.
ERT's mission is "To create, develop, nurture and sustain a world-class professional theatre rooted in the experience of the African diaspora." Its goal is "To build and expand a multicultural audience that contributes to the cultural understanding among people of diverse backgrounds."

Awards and nominations

YearAwardsProductionNominationsWinsNotes
2009Ovation AwardsTwo Trains Running42Won for Production of a Play-Large Theatre and Lead Actor in a Play ; nominated for Director and Featured Actor
2009NAACP Theatre AwardsTwo Trains Running3Won for Best Producer, Best Director, Best Scenic Design
2010NAACP Theatre AwardsCrowns11Won for Best Ensemble Cast
2011Ovation AwardsA Raisin in the Sun62Won for Best Play-Large Theatre and Featured Actress in a Play
2011Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle AwardA Raisin in the Sun84Won for Lead, Featured and Ensemble Performance and McCulloh Award For Revival
2013NAACP Theatre AwardsFraternity41Won for Best Producer ; nominated for Best Leading Male Rocky Carroll and Roger Robinson; nominated for Best Supporting Male Robert Gossett and Mel Winkler
2015Ovation AwardsThe Gospel at Colonus113Won for Featured Actor in a Musical, Featured Actress in a Musical and Music Direction ; nominated for Best Production of a Musical
2015Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle AwardThe Gospel at Colonus11Won for Music Direction ; nominated for Theatrical Excellence
2018Ovation AwardsFive Guys Named Moe82Won for Acting Ensemble of a Musical and Featured Actor in a Musical ; nominated for Best Production of a Musical
2018NAACP Theatre AwardFive Guys Named Moe1Won for Best Supporting Male