Wikipedia

Gossett Academy of Dramatic Arts

The Gossett Academy of Dramatic Arts (GADA) was a theatre school in New York City.

Gossett Academy of Dramatic Arts
AbbreviationGADA
Established1966
FounderLouis Gossett Jr., David Smyrl
Dissolvedc.1968
Headquarters11 E 17th St New York, NY 10003, USA
Coordinates40°44′15″N 73°59′28″W / 40.7376°N 73.9912°W / 40.7376; -73.9912

History

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The Gossett Academy of Dramatic Arts was founded by Louis Gossett Jr. and David Smyrl.[1] In 1966,[2] Gossett received $13,500 in funding from the Federal Office of Economic Opportunity,[3] as part of the Harlem Youth Act,[1] to run a ten-week theater program.[3] Gossett had previously run a school at St. Mark's Playhouse until 1965 when they outgrew the space.[4]

Gossett and Smyrl hired teachers and rented a floor at 11 East 17th Street and named their school Gossett Academy of Dramatic Arts (GADA).[1] The school opened 7 February 1966[5] and put out a call for scripts and directors.[6]

Teachers who joined the school included James Earl Jones, Paul Sorvino, Richard Pryor,[1] Loften Mitchell,[3] and Ernie McClintock.[7] McClintock took over running GADA for one year while Gossett was busy with other projects.[1] Students included members of The Last Poets,[1] and Jan Ackerman.[8]

The school was targeted towards people aged between 14 and 19 years old.[3] GADA provided classes for dancing, fencing, make-up, modelling, music, playwriting, and stage design.[9][4] In August 1966, GADA received $17,500 funding from the Office of Economic Opportunity to run a 12-week program for 45 underprivellidged youths.[10][11] The summer program ended with a series of performances by the students and was considered a success. Additional funding to expand the program for 250 youths across New York was being considered at the time.[12]

GADA was open for two years, but funding was cut when the Nixon administration came in.[1] Their budget cuts forced the school to close,[13] however Gossett and several of his students became part of the Negro Ensemble Company.[14]

References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Gossett Jr., Louis; Karas, Phyllis (2010). An Actor and a Gentleman. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 127–132. ISBN 9780470620946.
  2. ↑ Federal Funds and Services for the Arts. Office of Education, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. 1967. p. 108.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "ANTIPOVERTY GRANT AIDS DRAMA SCHOOL". The New York Times. 1966-07-12. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-04-24.
  4. 1 2 Walker, Jesse H. (1 Jan 1966). "Louis Gossett Works Hard To Make Dream Come True". The New York Amsterdam News. p. 12.
  5. ↑ Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. 1966-02-10. p. 63.
  6. ↑ Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. 1966-02-24. p. 63.
  7. ↑ Welch, Ellen (2024-02-16). ""Theatre for All the People: Meet Ernie McClintock, award-winning theatre director and teacher"". Notes from Under Grounds - University of Virginia Library. Retrieved 2026-04-24.
  8. ↑ Barnett, Cathy (27 Feb 1972). "The Ackermans - Two For The Theater". The Sunday News. pp. 8A.
  9. ↑ Sikes, James R. (1966-08-07). "PLAY'S THE THING IN POVERTY AREAS; Youths Perform in Realistic Dramas in City Program". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-04-24.
  10. ↑ "Playhouse Hosts Gossett Academy Student Group". The Berkshire Eagle. 9 August 1966. p. 22.
  11. ↑ Walker, Jesse H. (13 August 1966). "Theatricals". The New York Amsterdam News. p. 18.
  12. ↑ "Lower E. Side Teenagers In Performances". The New York Amsterdam News. 10 Sep 1966. p. 3.
  13. ↑ Johnson, Sharon (19 August 1982). "actor is cast as neither an officer or a gentleman in film; but in real life, role gave a 'good feeling'". The Evening News. p. 16.
  14. ↑ Hurst, John V. (30 October 1983). "Playing Sadat with mind, spirit". The Sacramento Bee. p. 52.
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