Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center
Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute (LHPAI) is a cultural, community, and artistic center in the Central District of Seattle, Washington, USA. It was founded in 1969[1] and named after the writer and leader of the Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes. It is at 104 17th Avenue South and was built as a synagogue in 1915 designed by Marcus Priteca. He was also the architect of many theaters. It is designated as a Seattle landmark.[2]
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The institute has previously been known as Yesler-Atlantic Community Center, the Langston Hughes Cultural Center, The Langston Hughes Cultural Arts Center, and the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center.[3]
Building history
The Byzantine style synagogue, completed in 1915, was designed by B. Marcus Priteca for the Orthodox Jewish congregation Chevra Bikur Cholim,[3][4] now Bikur Cholim Machzikay Hadath.[5] Priteca completed his plans for the building in early 1913; the synagogue was dedicated in August 1915. The lower story of the addition on the south side of the building dates from 1961, the upper story from 1971.
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The congregation sold the building to the City of Seattle in1969,[6] originally under the Model Cities Program.[7] It became part of Parks and Recreation in 1972. The interior of the auditorium was renovated in 1971: a balcony area was removed, extending auditorium seating further back. In 1991 an addition was made to the east side of the auditorium, as well as seismic retrofit improvements; another addition was made to the southwest corner of the auditorium in 2003. The additions to the building have been for office and support spaces, and to provide barrier-free access.[6]
Organizational history
Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute was founded in 1969, originally under the Model Cities Program.[7] The city purchased the building in 1971, intending it to house the city's first African-American theater, Black Arts/West, and a minority film training center, Oscar Productions. However, the renovations at that time took so long that those organizations found other quarters.[8] Still, the institute became "Ground Zero" for Seattle's hip hop scene and played a comparable role for local African American theatrical talent.[8]
From its inception into the early 21st century, LHPAI had "a split personality" as a "rec center for neighbor kids and families," strongly associated with Seattle's African American community, [that] also has aspired to be an arts organization, where serious actors, dancers and poets perform and train."[8] Deriving its funds from the city—an unusual situation for a Seattle arts organization—meant it was free of concerns about meeting payroll and paying rent. However, it also led to a mandate that, in the words of former institute coordinator Steve Sneed, could emphasize "arts and crafts, not high-quality arts."[8]
In 2001, the Parks and Recreation gave the institute a mandate to move more strongly toward the latter goal. LHPAI's artistic director, Jacqueline Moscou began an "ambitious" program to train young actors in 2004.[8] Concerns were expressed during the transition that LHPAC might lose its "open-door, neighborhood feel" and that "the African-American focus will be diluted."[8] The latter concern came, in part, because the Parks Department brought in Manuel Cawaling, an Asian American, as the institute's managing director.[8]
Moscou, an African American, was placed on administrative leave in October 2007 after several accusations that she had "made racially offensive and intimidating comments to and about her Asian-American colleagues". She was reinstated at the beginning of March 2008, after a "public outcry."[9][10]
References
- "Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute (1969- )". BlackPast. Archived from the original on 2021-04-19. Retrieved 2020-11-03.
- "Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute - Arts | seattle.gov". www.seattle.gov. Archived from the original on 2020-11-05. Retrieved 2020-11-04.
- Mumford, Zola (2014). "Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute (Seattle)". historylink.org. Archived from the original on 2020-08-03. Retrieved 2020-11-04.
- Eals, Clay (2019-09-26). "Seattle Now & Then: Bikur Cholim synagogue, now the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute". Seattle Now & Then. Archived from the original on 2020-11-24. Retrieved 2020-11-04.
- About Congregation Bikur Cholim—Machzikay Hadath Archived 2009-04-25 at the Wayback Machine, Congregation Bikur Cholim—Machzikay Hadath. Accessed online 2009-10-23.
- Langston Hughes / Parks and Green Spaces Levy / Project Information Archived 2010-06-04 at the Wayback Machine, Seattle Parks and Recreation. Accessed online 2009-10-23.
- Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center History Archived 2010-05-28 at the Wayback Machine, Seattle Parks and Recreation. Accessed online 2009-10-23.
- Paul de Barros, A Seattle star is reborn Archived 2012-09-24 at the Wayback Machine, Seattle Times, November 29, 2004. Accessed online 2009-10-23.
- Lornet Turnbull, Battle lines at Langston Hughes center Archived 2008-10-06 at the Wayback Machine, Seattle Times, February 6, 2008. Accessed online 2009-10-23.
- Artistic director gets job back at Langston Hughes center Archived 2011-06-04 at the Wayback Machine, Seattle Times, March 1, 2008. Accessed online 2009-10-23.
External links
- Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, official page
- Performing Arts Center, Langston Hughes African American Film Festival.