Mick Unplugged

Sade Lythcott Reveals National Black Theater's Next Chapter & Community Impact

September 20, 2025

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  • The National Black Theater, founded in 1968, is dedicated to harvesting ancestral dreams and finishing its founder's unfinished song by providing a home for Black artistry and storytelling. 
  • Holistic producing at the National Black Theater integrates exceptional theatrical productions with community empowerment through civic engagement and social impact themes, fostering dialogue and belonging. 
  • The National Black Theater is undergoing a $100 million redevelopment into a multi-arts complex on 125th and 5th Avenue, aiming to be a cultural hub and a testament to Black excellence, with a projected opening in 2027. 

Segments

Purpose and Ancestral Dreams
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(00:02:19)
  • Key Takeaway: Sade Lithcock’s purpose is to listen to and interpret the seeds planted by ancestors, specifically her mother, the founder of the National Black Theater, to harvest their dreams and finish her unfinished song.
  • Summary: The conversation begins with Mick asking Sade about her ‘because,’ her deeper purpose. Sade explains her purpose is rooted in honoring and fulfilling the legacy of her ancestors, particularly her mother, the founder of the National Black Theater, by continuing their work of healing and liberatory storytelling.
Navigating COVID and Diversification
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(00:04:47)
  • Key Takeaway: During COVID, the National Black Theater embraced a philosophy of praying for grace and clarity rather than strength, allowing them to view the pandemic as an opportunity for reinvention and to develop a COVID-proof, sustainable future.
  • Summary: Mick asks Sade about the impact of COVID on the National Black Theater and how they remained strong and diversified. Sade shares her life mantra of praying for grace and clarity, which guided her through the challenges, allowing the theater to use the shutdown as a period of incubation and reimagining.
Holistic Producing Explained
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(00:12:30)
  • Key Takeaway: Holistic producing at the National Black Theater is a three-pronged approach: producing exceptional plays, teasing out civic engagement themes from the plays for community dialogue, and creating a space for post-performance connection and art-making.
  • Summary: Sade breaks down the concept of ‘holistic producing,’ explaining it as a method that goes beyond just staging a play. It involves engaging the audience with the play’s themes, fostering civic conversation, and creating a communal experience that builds belonging.
Vision for the Future Theater
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(00:16:54)
  • Key Takeaway: The National Black Theater’s future vision is a $100 million multi-arts complex on 125th and 5th Avenue, serving as an ecosystem for creatives to live, work, and serve, and a premier destination for Black theater in the country.
  • Summary: The discussion shifts to the ambitious redevelopment project of the National Black Theater. Sade details the vision for a mixed-use building that includes housing, retail, performance venues, and rehearsal spaces, aiming to create a sustainable model for Black arts and culture.