Beyond Classical Theatre honors the legacy of Johnny Lee Davenport by giving actors of color, with a specific passion for classical theatre, opportunities to prepare for excellence in the performance of classical theatre and to become role models and teachers for other actors of color who share this same passion. Beyond Classical Theatre offers grants, determined and developed annually by its board, to foster these opportunities.
We are thrilled to share that our fundraiser on February 28, 2021 launching the Johnny Lee Davenport Fellowship for actors of color was a wild success.
The half-hour event hosted by Broadband’s “All Together Now” (broadbandcollab.com/all-together-now) and featuring a retrospective of Johnny’s career as well as tributes and performances by actors, directors, and writers who loved working with Johnny and who gathered together (virtually) to celebrate his legacy and keep his dream alive was a memorable and meaningful celebration of Johnny Lee’s life, career and legacy.
To date we have been able to send four fellowship recipients to intensive training programs at Shakespeare & Co in Lenox, MA. We are now accepting applications for 2023’s Johnny Lee Davenport Fellowships.