Lights Out: Nat “King” Cole FTC Events

Take a look back at the end of our 2024/2025 season and this archive of events we hosted for LIGHTS OUT: NAT “KING” COLE as part of our For the Culture series. From a variety of pre-show gatherings, post-show conversations, and a party or two (or three!), we loved being able to connect with so many members of our NYTW community.

Join us next season for more moments of meaningful connection, laughter, and fun!

For The Culture Events

Nat “King” Cole Night

Sunday, May 4 @ 8:30PM
New York Theatre Workshop – 3rd Floor Rehearsal Room

Join us after the evening performance for an intimate and sophisticated piano bar at New York Theatre Workshop. We’re transforming our third-floor rehearsal room into a cozy, cabaret-inspired space where you can unwind with live piano music, light bites, and great company. Whether you’re in the mood to mingle or simply soak in the atmosphere, this post-show hangout is the perfect way to end your night on a high note.

The event is co-sponsored by Black Theater Tribe.  

Please note that the 3rd Floor Rehearsal Room is accessed by climbing three flights of stairs. Unfortunately, the building is not equipped with an elevator.

 

AfterWords: Where Art Meets Justice
Wednesday, May 7 @ 8:30 PM

Join us for a special post-show panel featuring Dr. Joyce F. Brown, President of the Fashion Institute of Technology, in conversation with members of the Lights Out creative team. Together, they’ll explore the shared themes of the production and the work of FIT’s Social Justice Center (SJC)—a bold initiative dedicated to building pathways for BIPOC students and professionals in fashion, design, and the arts.

 

Black Theatre Night

Thursday, May 8 @ 8:30 PM
New York Theatre Workshop – Fourth St Theatre

Join us for Black Theatre Night at New York Theatre Workshop! Following the performance, celebrate the legacy of Nat “King” Cole and the brilliance of Black artistry with an unforgettable post-show gathering featuring music, dancing, and community vibes. Come ready to reflect, connect, and move—because the night doesn’t end when the curtain comes down!

The event is co-sponsored by Black Theater Tribe.

This event will be held in the Fourth Street Theatre which is accessed by climbing eight steps from street level. Unfortunately, the building is not equipped with an elevator.

 

Masterclass with Katie O’Neill – Costume Designing Lights Out
Monday, May 12 @ 5:30-7 PM
New York Theatre Workshop – Fourth St Theatre

Join Lights Out costume designer Katie O’Neill for a 90-minute masterclass at NYTW exploring how costume design can bring history, character, and Nat “King” Cole’s music to life onstage. O’Neill will walk participants through her research and creative process, sharing how dramaturgy, cultural specificity, and design intersect in her work. From fabric choices to historical references, discover how costume becomes a powerful storytelling tool in Lights Out. Ideal for artists and audiences interested in the deeper layers of theatrical design.

This event will be held in the Fourth Street Theatre which is accessed by climbing eight steps from street level. Unfortunately, the building is not equipped with an elevator.

 

AfterWords: Spotlight on Black Women in Theatre
Wednesday, May 14 @ 8:30 PM

Join us for an illuminating AfterWords conversation with members of the Lights Out cast. In this intimate panel, members of the cast offer behind-the-scenes insights into their creative process, the artistry they bring to the stage, and the personal stories that shape their work. This conversation is a celebration of Black women in theatre and the radical power of storytelling. Moderated by Kaisha Huguley of Kaisha Creates.

 

Black Creatives Networking Night
Wednesday, May 21 – Pre-Show
The Gray Mare (61 2nd Ave)

Pull up and connect! Join us for a relaxed pre-show mixer designed for young Black professionals working across all corners of the arts—whether you’re backstage, onstage, behind the scenes, building the future, or not in theatre at all. Come vibe with fellow creatives, make new connections, and build community before we head in to watch Lights Out. Let’s gather, uplift, and celebrate each other.

The event is co-sponsored by Black Theater Tribe & RISE Theatre.

 

AfterWords: Black Theatre Tribe x Lights Out

Wednesday, May 28 @ 8:30 PM
Join us for a powerful post-show conversation led by Black Theater Tribe, as they record a live episode of their brand-new podcast, “Going Off Script,” exploring the state—and future—of Black theatre in the U.S. This talkback will feature members of the Lights Out team, diving deep into the themes of the production while unpacking the challenges, triumphs, and visionary possibilities for Black theatre professionals today. Expect an honest dialogue rooted in joy, strategy, and bold dreaming. Come witness the making of history—and the envisioning of what’s next. Stay after the show and be part of the conversation.  

 

ShopTalk
Wednesday, June 4 @ 8:30 PM
Join us for an informal “book club” style discussion with fellow audience members, facilitated by an NYTW staff member. 

 

ShopTalk
Wednesday, June 11 @ 8:30 PM
Join us for an informal “book club” style discussion with fellow audience members, facilitated by an NYTW staff member. 

 

Masterclass with Nikiya Mathis – Hair & Wig Designing Lights Out
Monday, June 16 @ 5:30-7 PM
New York Theatre Workshop – Fourth St Theatre

 

Join Tony Award-winning wig designer and actress Nikiya Mathis for an intimate masterclass exploring the intersection of theatrical storytelling, personal identity, and hair design. In this behind-the-scenes conversation, Nikiya will share her process for designing wigs that reflect character, culture, and narrative — particularly centering the beauty and complexity of textured hair on stage. This special event will also offer a glimpse into Nikiya’s next chapter as she launches a new venture aimed at helping performers curate their wig wardrobes for auditions, red carpets, and everyday performance life. Attendees will leave with insight into the artistry behind wig design as well as tools for advocating for their hair needs in professional settings. Whether you’re a performer, designer, student, or theater lover, this is a chance to learn from one of the leading voices shaping how Black beauty shows up on the stage and screen. 

This event will be held in the Fourth Street Theatre which is accessed by climbing eight steps from street level. Unfortunately, the building is not equipped with an elevator.

 

 

AfterWords: Spotlight on Dance

Tuesday, June 17 @ 8:30 PM

Join us for a dynamic AfterWords conversation exploring the role of dance in Lights Out: Nat “King” Cole. Featuring members of the cast, this talkback delves into how movement becomes a vessel for Black storytelling, evoking cultural memory, and honoring Nat’s musical legacy. Together, we’ll reflect on how dance continues to be a form of resistance, resilience, and liberation. 

The event is co-sponsored by Black Broadway Men.

 

Black Theatre Night
Tuesday, June 17 @ 9:00 PM

Join us for Black Theatre Night at New York Theatre Workshop! Following the performance, celebrate the legacy of Nat “King” Cole and the brilliance of Black artistry with an unforgettable post-show gathering featuring music, dancing, and community vibes. Come ready to reflect, connect, and move—because the night doesn’t end when the curtain comes down! 

 

Afterwords: Honoring Juneteenth – Black Art as Resistance and Liberation
Wednesday, June 18 @ 8:30 PM

Join us for a special Juneteenth edition of AfterWords, a post-show conversation spotlighting Black arts leaders who are shaping the future of culture and community. This dynamic dialogue will explore how Black artistic leadership fuels resistance, liberation, and legacy-building. Together, we’ll honor the transformative power of Black creativity—not just as expression, but as a force for reclaiming narrative, preserving history, and driving structural change. 

This event is co-sponsored by Apollo Theater & National Black Theatre. Moderated by Kaisha Huguley of Kaisha Creates.

 

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Categories: 2024/25 Season and For The Culture. Tags: Lights Out: Nat "King" Cole.