Alan Sharpe (2021)
"Theater allowed me to say things that society refused to acknowledge—whether it was
about HIV or incarceration."
“We were always performing, but not just for an audience—our performances were acts of survival.”
Alan Sharpe’s artistic legacy is a testament to storytelling's transformative power in advancing marginalized communities' rights and visibility. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1952, Sharpe's fascination with film and theater deepened while studying at Boston University in the early 1970s. Though he initially pursued a degree in Film and Television, institutional barriers limited access to equipment primarily to graduate students thereby restricting opportunities for undergraduates—especially students of color navigating predominantly white academic spaces. Reflecting on this shift, Sharpe remarked, “Because we couldn’t do film hands-on in college, I started doing theater instead... We began doing more plays, calling ourselves the Black Drama Collective.” This shift began Sharpe’s career as a pioneer in Black LGBTQ+ theater, where his creative work became inseparable from his experiences navigating systemic oppression and exclusion.
In 1976, Sharpe relocated to Washington, D.C., where his artistic vision flourished. He co-founded the Black Drama Collective (BDC), a group dedicated to staging plays that explored systemic injustice, racial identity, and the intersectional challenges faced by Black LGBTQ+ communities. Over time, the BDC evolved into Chrysalis, expanding its focus to include a wider range of themes and voices beyond Black narratives. Despite this shift, Sharpe’s passion remained rooted in spotlighting Black LGBTQ+ experiences. This focus would become the cornerstone of his later work through the founding of the African-American Collective Theater (ACT).
In the early 1990s, amid the rise of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Sharpe founded the African-American Collective Theater (ACT) to create a space where the intersection of race, sexuality, and public health could be openly explored. His groundbreaking play, Heartbeats, was one of ACT’s most impactful works. The play tells the story of a young Black gay man entangled in relationships marked by love, betrayal, and illness while navigating surrogate family structures formed within LGBTQ+ communities. Sharpe used the play to tell a powerful personal story and as an educational tool. Partnering with Whitman-Walker Health, ACT facilitated community outreach by bringing HIV/AIDS education directly to underserved audiences, often staging performances in nontraditional spaces to reach those most affected by the epidemic. This collaboration merged art with activism, ensuring the play’s message extended beyond the theater to drive awareness and foster dialogue.
"Theater allowed me to say things that society refused to acknowledge—whether it was about HIV or incarceration," Sharpe explains, emphasizing the critical role that art played in breaking down stigma and fostering dialogue. "We were always performing, but not just for an audience—our performances were acts of survival." These words highlight how theater was not merely an artistic expression for Sharpe but a lifeline. For marginalized communities—especially Black LGBTQ+ individuals facing systemic exclusion—storytelling became an act of resistance. A way to assert existence and demand visibility in a society that sought to erase them. Through performances that centered on the lived experiences of those most stigmatized, Sharpe created space for both survival and transformation, showing the power of art in advancing social justice.
ACT became a cornerstone of Black Pride celebrations in Washington, D.C., creating space for performances that reflected the nuanced realities of the Black queer experience. However, producing these plays was not without its challenges. Sharpe encountered resistance not only from mainstream audiences but also from within the LGBTQ+ community, where fears of public outings complicated casting efforts. "Even those who were gay themselves hesitated to be in a Black gay play," he recalled, highlighting the deep stigma that surrounded discussions of sexuality and health within Black and gay communities. Despite these challenges, Sharpe’s productions drew audiences hungry for stories that mirrored their own lives and experiences, and they quickly became a cultural touchstone for D.C.’s Black LGBTQ+ community.
ACT’s impact extended beyond performance art, serving as a vital hub for dialogue, healing, and activism. Through the 1990s, Sharpe’s productions not only entertained and educated. Plays like Family Business, which delved into relationships among queer family members, or Chump Changes, a web-based series that tackled themes of survival, economic hardship, and community. These works not only entertained but also addressed taboo subjects head-on, engaging audiences in conversations about identity, acceptance, and social justice.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, ACT transitioned to virtual productions, showcasing Sharpe’s resilience and dedication to maintaining the company’s mission during stay-at-home orders. Moving online allowed ACT to reach new audiences nationwide, extending its impact beyond Washington, D.C., and engaging communities in innovative ways. Theater as a live, communal art form was uniquely imperiled during this time, yet Sharpe’s commitment never wavered. Reflecting on his work, he shared advice he once received: “If you can do anything else, don’t do theater.” He added, “But for me, I can’t do theater—it’s what keeps me going,” emphasizing its necessity in creating visibility and belonging for marginalized voices.
Throughout his career, Sharpe wrote and directed over 120 plays, earning recognition from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and other institutions. Yet his work transcends awards and accolades—his true legacy lies in the progressive change he has catalyzed within the Black LGBTQ+ community. Sharpe’s stories challenge stereotypes, confront systemic injustices, and offer a platform for narratives too often ignored by mainstream theater. He not only created a rich storytelling archive of Black LGBTQ+ lives but also fostered dynamic spaces for community building and dialogue. As Sharpe reflects on his journey, he remains committed to ensuring that these stories continue to be told. His impact is not just artistic—it is revolutionary, proving that theater can be a powerful force for visibility, empathy, and change.
Bibliography
“Alan Sharpe: Bio.” Alan Sharpe - Official Website https://alansharpe.org/bio
“Interview with Alan Sharpe by Robert Peterson, 2021.” Digital Library of Georgiahttps://dlg.usg.edu/record/auu_passforward_0124-000
“Oral History with Alan Sharpe.” Rainbow History Project Digital Collectionshttps://archives.rainbowhistory.org/items/show/1817
Hill, Errol. Stages of Struggle: Black Theater and the Fight for Freedom Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1997