News & Media

Cleveland's Karamu House, the country's oldest Black producing theatre, received a $1 million grant to complete renovations to the historic venue.

The beloved African American venue will upgrade its arena theater, add a healthy option bistro, and build its own television studio for virtual performances.

The donation to Karamu's capital campaign entitled the foundation to naming rights: among the theater's renovations will be the newly named Bank of America Area Theatre.

Karamu and Bank of America announced the grant in a news release issued Thursday, July 8. They said it will enable Karamu to complete the third phase of a campus renovation that will include major upgrades to a black-box space that will be called the Bank of America Arena Theatre, as well as a new outdoor stage, a full-service bistro with patio, ADA enhancements and a renovated streetscape.