42 | FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE 42 | FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE Black Theatre Troupe’s executive director David Hemphill has helmed the organization for more than half of its existence, guiding its progress and growth since 1993.

FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE | 43 avid Hemphill speaks like the actor and businessman that he is, in well-crafted passages full of rallying sentiments and emotional wisdom. Only occasionally does he pause for uncertainty. “I’m like a parent during a child’s senior year,” he said. “What’s going to happen? Are they going to continue their studies and do well?” As executive director of Black Theatre Troupe, Hemphill is poised for the company’s 55 th season. BTT, one of the oldest African American theater companies in the United States, is a beloved and important institution, now at a critical juncture. Hemphill is preparing to retire, and knows that the troupe is needed as much — maybe more — than ever. So, he is watching from the wings. “Hopefully, there won’t be any snafus,” he said. “But I am prepared.” Hemphill is sitting at the Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center in downtown Phoenix, named after the City of Phoenix Parks & Recreation supervisor who started it all. In the late 1960s, with racial tensions simmering, Mason, a longtime Civil Rights champion, created a program for the Black community to express itself. These small live performances, modeled on early “rap sessions,” allowed people to air grievances — but there was a twist. “You had to write a poem, do an interpretive dance, sing a song or perform a scene, not just stand up there and complain,” Hemphill said. “She made everyone that wanted to speak do it artistically. That was Helen’s vision.” By creating a space to serve Phoenix’s African American community, Mason created something else. In 1970, she founded Black Theatre Troupe, a platform for Black voices to be heard — and souls healed. “Helen was always able to find new and exciting ways of going at bad subjects, uncomfortable things, sadness,” Hemphill said. “She was able to get to the heart of people, and get them to talk about BY KAREN WERNER Black Theatre Troupe’s David Hemphill has long been a leader of note. Now, he is taking the oldest African American theater company in the Southwest center stage for the troupe’s 55 th season. Building, Surviving, Thriving D BTT was founded by Helen Katherine Mason ( above ), who worked in the City’s parks and recreation department. COVER STORY