Braata Productions was founded in 2009 to bring Caribbean folk culture, music movement, stories, artists and theatre to the United States.
In its brief history, Braata Productions' projects and programs have served over 350 artists, directors, designers, technicians and young entrepreneurial artists and has enjoyed many successes including the creation of The Braata Folk Singers, Braata Education & Outreach titled Project BE, Braata Theatre Workshop and The “Braata" Award.
The company is a full-service professional production company, offering the highest quality theatrical and educational productions and programs to the tri-state area. With just three years on the New York City theatre landscape, Braata Productions, in collaboration with Banana Boat Productions and Nanadowa Productions, has staged plays in keeping with its aim of unearthing and showcasing new artistic talent as well as honoring the work of established playwrights within the Diaspora. These include staged readings of Trevor Rhone's Positive, new playwright Pierre Thompson's Hortensia's Recession, Karl O'Brian Williams' Not About Eve all at the New Perspective Theatre and the mainstage production of Trevor Rhone's Positive at The Spoon Theatre in December 2010. In 2011, we had a staged reading in collaboration with Banana Boat Productions of Karl Williams' Black That I Am. We also produce our bi-annual concert season for the Braata Folk Singers and will shortly launch into our community education will outreach aspects of the organization.
Since its inception, Braata Theatre Workshop has presented 20 productions, including staged readings, fully mounted shows, regional tours, a showing at the National Black Theatre Festival in 2013 and a tour to the island of Trinidad & Tobago in 2015 and most recently to the island of Nevis in 2019.
The Braata Folk Singers has had 4 concert seasons and numerous command performances including Toronto, NYC tri-state area & awards at the prestigious World Choir Games in Cincinnati in 2012.
Lastly, the Braata Education & Outreach which has done music and drama workshops at Queens Center Library, and stagings of a popular Jamaican traditional Christmas event in December titled Ole Time Grand Market the inaugural staging in 2013 was a huge success and has since become a staple in the company's calendar. Our most popular event is undoubtedly the Bankra Caribbean Folk Festival, a day long celebration of Caribbean folk culture, music, art and food.
