Alley Theatre has been selected as one of 62 organizations nationwide to receive a 2024-2025 NEA Big Read grant. The $20,000 grant, awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest, will support a city-wide community reading program centered on Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. The program will take place in February and March, encouraging community engagement through the power of shared literature.

The NEA Big Read initiative aims to deepen understanding of diverse perspectives by fostering connections through storytelling. Alley Theatre’s program will explore themes of resilience, self-discovery, empowerment, and cultural heritage preservation, particularly within Houston’s Black communities. Events will feature collaborations with local Black-owned organizations and creatives, emphasizing community-centered, arts-based education.

The initiative marks a significant project for Russell Boyd, Alley Theatre’s new Community Engagement and Inclusion Specialist, who will lead efforts to build meaningful grassroots relationships. The program will include discussions, workshops, and artistic explorations designed to highlight the history, achievements, and contributions of Houston’s Black community while honoring Hurston’s literary legacy.

As part of the NEA Big Read, Alley Theatre will partner with The Ensemble Theatre, Esurient Arts, Freedmen’s Town Museums Houston of the Rutherford B.H. Yates Museum, Inc., Houston Public Library, Kindred Stories, Kefita Coffee, and local schools. These collaborations will create opportunities for dialogue, artistic expression, and a deeper appreciation of literature’s role in shaping cultural identity.

The NEA Big Read, managed by Arts Midwest, provides annual grants to organizations nationwide, supporting innovative reading programs that bring communities together. The initiative encourages conversations that extend beyond the pages of the selected books, fostering reflection on complex social themes and strengthening community bonds.

For a full calendar of workshops, discussions, and events, visit alleytheatre.org/NEA-Big-Read-2025.