The future home of Narçisse Theatre Co. in downtown Harrisburg
A local theater company is getting ready to raise the curtain on its new location.
Harrisburg’s Narçisse Theatre Company recently announced that it soon will have a home of its own, after years of performing in local venues.
“This is the first African American-run theater space in the city,” said founder and Artistic Director FL Henley Jr. “It’s for Harrisburg, by Harrisburg.”
The theater will be located at 312 Chestnut St. in downtown Harrisburg’s SoMa district, a building that previously housed the International House student exchange program. According to Henley, Narçisse will occupy the first floor and create an intimate theater space that can seat about 60 people.
The theater company, which started in 2016, previously held shows in H*MAC and at Italian Lake and has partnered with Gamut Theatre Group for performances. A few years ago, Narçisse began looking for its own space as the company gained popularity with shows like “Waiting For Godot,” “Antigone” and “Kill Keller.”
After working with building owner Harristown Enterprises, Narçisse decided on the Chestnut Street location for its new home. Henley views this next step as an important moment for the future growth of the company.
“This is our chrysalis moment,” he said. “[Narçisse] has grown so much.”
With the new theater will come “way, way more” programming, according to Henley, including more frequent shows, musical performances and acting classes for youth and adults.
The company plans to open the new theater in April, Henley said.
Narçisse prides itself on its original plays, often written by local writers, and its unique and provocative performances. The theater’s shows rarely include happy endings, sometimes excluding any sort of ending at all—that’s the way that Henley likes it.
“I want theater to be extremely challenging and thought-provoking,” he said.
Narçisse has also become known for its mission to make theater a more multicultural and diverse experience. As a Black-owned company, Narçisse aims to showcase artists of color and to attract underrepresented populations from the community, Henley explained.
“We bill ourselves as the people’s theater company,” he said. “We believe in access to theater.”
For Narçisse, a big part of ensuring accessibility is keeping ticket prices affordable. The company never charges more than $15 for a show and offers tickets for any size donation for Sunday matinees.
Looking towards the future, Henley envisions Narçisse growing into an arts education academy that offers expanded courses and programs for community members.
This step in finding a home draws Narçisse closer to that goal, he explained.
On Dec. 15, at 7 p.m., the company will hold a town hall meeting for the public to learn more about Narçisse, ask questions and share input and ideas for the new space. The meeting will take place at 312 Chestnut St. and will include refreshments.
“Our mission is to break down the walls and barriers and build bridges between communities,” Henley said. “We want to bring all these different audiences together.”
To donate to Narçisse Theatre Company or to learn more, visit their website.
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