When driving through the heart of the Central District, one can not miss a massive stone structure that sits at the corner of 17th Ave. S. and East Yesler. Built in 1914, the historical landmark originally served as the Chevra Bikur Cholim Synagogue. At the entrance, a wide staircase leads to what artistic director Jacqueline Moscou calls "one of the best kept secrets of Seattle," The Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center Theater.
The building has been a hub of artistic activity for more than 30 years. It offers the community innovative arts and educational programming that reflects a rich cultural diversity while simultaneously providing a home for aspiring African-American artists and other communities of color.
60s activism created programs
The Langston Hughes Center grew out of the civil rights movement when activists saw a need for social programs to enhance living conditions in under-served communities. In the late '60s, the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Model Cities Program offered grants to help rebuild and improve urban areas around the nation. The Central District was one of the neighborhoods that benefited from the federal funding, and citizen task forces were set up to help develop health, housing, educational and recreational facilities around Seattle.
The Pratt Fine Arts Center, the Odessa Brown Clinic and the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center are some of the facilities that grew during this time.
"Langston Hughes is one of the most important institutions to come out of the civil rights movement in Seattle," Moscou remarked.
For many years, Moscou worked at the Center as an actor, director and volunteer before she became its artistic director two years ago.
Former Model Cities administrator Curtis Green credits local activist Walter R. Hundley (1929-2002) as the "driving force" behind the birth of the Langston Hughes Center. Hundley, a minister and civil rights worker, served as director of the Central Area Motivation Project, director of the Seattle Model City Program, director of the management and budget department, and superintendent of Parks and Recreation.
A guiding spirit for the Center
Under the guidance of Hundley, the Model Cities Program acquired the former Chevra Bikur Cholim Synagogue in 1968 and converted it into a cultural arts center. Mrs. Felicia Hundley said her late husband "envisioned the building as the neighborhood arts program for the Central Area."
"The need to have a performing arts center readily accessible to the black community was of prime importance to him, to me and to many other citizen's of this community," Mrs. Hundley said of her husband's efforts.
The renovated building was named the Langston Hughes Cultural Arts Center, in honor of prominent African American writer Langston Hughes (1902-1967). Many consider Hughes as one of the most important luminaries behind the Harlem Renaissance. The Missouri born activist used his writing as a vehicle for expressing his concerns over inequality and social justice. His work celebrated the African American experience and included poems, novels, essays and children's books.
In 1972, officials transferred ownership of the program to the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation, and officially renamed it as the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center. Though it still remained a community gathering place, administrators wanted to acknowledge the center's growing commitment to the performance arts.
The Center now strives to be the region's premier mid-sized performing arts venue by offering eclectic programming ranging from the popular African American Film Festival to spoken word/hip hop and national dance troupes, such as the Dance Theater of Harlem.
Though updated, the building still retains many of its original features including the Synagogue's former auditorium, now used as a theater. The intimate space supports 281 guests and, remarked Moscou with pride, "a viable tech booth and incredible acoustics." She also remarked that the community has been very supportive of their efforts and pointed out the current seats were recycled from the Seattle Opera.
Youth-centered programming
Though Langston Hughes aspires to provide quality arts programming for the community-at-large, its youth education programs still remain central to its mission.
The Summer Youth Theater Project- also known as the All-Teen Summer Musical-conducts a 10 week performing arts training camp that culminates in four performances. Youths receive instruction in acting, dance, singing and technical production. At the end of the program, participants are rewarded with a $200 stipend.
In its seventh year, the tuition-based program draws children from all over Puget Sound. The innovative programming includes updated classics and original works. This summer more than 70 kids, ages 7-18, participated in the production of "Grease." Past productions included, "Snow White and the Seven," "The Soul of Beauty and the Beast," and "The Wiz with a Renaissance Swing." The competition for spots in the musicals is intense and by audition only. This year 200 teens auditioned for "Grease," and less than half were accepted.
Income generated from program tuition helps cover a small percentage of their costs. The remainder comes from contributions which help pay for costumes, stipends and other production costs. Scholarships are also available for those in need.
Moscou feels these types of programs are vital to the community.
"Kids of color don't really have a place where they're represented. They need to have places to go to [where there are] role models that they can identify with," Moscou stated.
Felicia V. Loud is among those who received encouragement and support at Langston Hughes. She was introduced to the Center in 1984 through a summer youth employment program, and helped out in the office before she began training in the performing arts.
Loud has been performing locally - recently in "Crowns" and "Lady Day"-since she got her feet wet at Langston. She now gives back to the Center by helping mentor youth in the summer musical program. She feels that Langston's youth programs offer a valuable experience to children and teaches them how to cooperate and work with others while instilling a sense of self-esteem and purpose.
Diversity in new programming
In addition to the All-Teen Summer Musical, Langston is adding a new after-school audition-driven program for youths called Performance Bound.
"It's meant to be a rigorous training ground for kids who are exceptionally talented that want to be professional," stated Moscou.
Ten children, grades 10-12, have already been accepted into the pilot program, which begins this fall. Langston Hughes director Manuel Cawaling emphasized the purpose of the [tuition-based] program is to provide college placement assistance and career guidance in the performance arts.
Langston Hughes also offers free after-school programs such as Hearts and Minds, which exposes kids to theater arts through field trips, and Youth Speaks, which offers workshops in creative writing.
In addition to performing arts training, the center will continue offering classes to both youths and adults. Some of this year's offerings include Tai Chi, Marimba [Langston's oldest and most popular class], Capoeira, drumming and rhythm -for tots ages two to five- and writing.
Looking ahead
Contemplating the future, director Manuel Cawaling noted it's imperative to get the community more involved with programming through activities such as "Illuminating Langston," which raised money and awareness about Langston's programs.
Though the Center receives support from the city for building maintenance and staff, Cawaling and Moscou said their programs are primarily sustained through individual contributions and income generated from ticket sales, merchandising and renting out the space for conferences and other social functions.
"Our goal is to make it more sustainable and to make sure that the Langston is around for another 30 years," said Cawaling.
Though the Center welcomes all people interested in the arts, Moscou emphasized that its' primary purpose is to serve as a home for emerging African American artists and other communities of color who lack representation in this area.
She added that the Center provides a place where artists like Felecia Loud can gain experience before moving on to other venues.
"There is nothing like this," Moscou said. "There is no other facility in all of Seattle for African American artists that so successfully serves all the communities of color."
For more information on Langston Hughes programs and the 2004-05 performance schedule, call 684-475. Langston is located at 104 17th Ave. S.
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