Timeline
1981 | The Gatehouse was declared a New York City landmark
1983 | Established as Aaron Davis Hall in 1983, the organization sought to provide equitable resources and platforms to artists of color, challenging systemic exclusion
1998 | Patricia Cruz hired as Executive Director
2001 | The Launch of E-Moves as a destination for adventurous and bold dance works by leading choreographers
2004–2006 | New York City’s Department of Cultural Affairs partnered with Harlem Stage to spearhead a full $21 million adaptive reuse project of The Gatehouse. Architectural firm Ohlhausen DuBois led the transformative renovation, converting the subterranean chambers and water tanks into a 199-seat flexible black-box theater, rehearsal rooms, administrative offices, and lobby spaces
2005 | Launch of the WATERWORKS Commissioning Program
January 2007 | The institution was rebranded as Harlem Stage, opening The Gatehouse with its inaugural season
2007 | The first commissioned program, WATERWORKS, featured performances such as Roger Guenveur Smith’s Who Killed Bob Marley? and Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company’s Chapel Chapter
2009 | Uptown Nights Musical Series launches to celebrate diverse music across the globe
2024 | After a groundbreaking 25-year tenure, Patricia Cruz passes the baton to Dr. Indira Etwaroo, ushering in a bold new chapter for Harlem Stage
2025 | Harlem Stage embarks on its inaugural national tour with Freedom Riders: A Journey With No End in Sight, reaching four cities and expanding its national footprint