Actor Ty Jones Saves the Classical Theatre of Harlem
He’s an award-winning actor, producer and screenwriter. Turns out, Ty Jones, the Producing Artistic Director of Classical Theatre of Harlem (CTH) also knows a thing or two about business. Jones, who grew up on military bases in Missouri, Texas and Germany, used what he learned running a painting company during college, to get Classical Theatre of Harlem out from under some $400,000 in debt, keeping the doors open and people employed.
Then the company’s lead actor with an MFA degree and roles in Broadway shows and hit movies to his credit, he stepped up, taking over the finances of CTH, cutting costs, and making smart decisions about sustainable productions. He got the non-profit on the road to financial recovery, and ultimately, from the red into the black. Critically-acclaimed CTH productions of Shakespeare and other classics attract tens of thousands to Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park. And, for a second year, Classical Theatre of Harlem has brought its crowd-pleasing original musical “The First Noel” to Harlem’s iconic Apollo Theatre, with performances from December 10th through the 18th.
FOX’s Jane Metzler talks with Jones about “The First Noel,” Classical Theatre of Harlem, and his unexpected journey from leading man to the non-profit grant guru who saved uptown Manhattan’s Shakespeare in the Park:
Follow Ty Jones on Twitter: @TDJNYC
Follow Jane Metzler on Twitter: @JaneMetzler
