Press

The American Theatre Wing has announced the winners of the 68th annual OBIE Awards 2025, recognizing outstanding, boundary-pushing work selected from more than 300 productions across New York City's Off- and Off-Off-Broadway theatre season, with Braata Productions named a recipient of a theatre grant.

Local community members, advocates, and elected officials gathered at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center in Southeast Queens to celebrate the annual Black History Month Program, honoring the legacy of African Americans to labor and community. Braata Productions was recognized among the event's honorees for its service and commitment to Black communities across New York City.

Led by Executive Director Andrew Clarke and Joel Edwards, The Braata Folk Singers excitedly present 'CARIBBEAN BLEND,' a tailored production featuring a new musical repertoire that celebrates the independence milestones and musical heritage of Dominica, The Bahamas, and St. Kitts and Nevis. The program serves as a stepping stone into the upcoming season, celebrating the remarkable musical milestones of each nation while looking back and moving forward.

Andrew Clarke, the Jamaican-born founder and artistic director of both The Braata Folk Singers and Braata Productions, described the Christmas Grand Market 2023 as “an undeniable triumph," with strong audience turnout across Queens, the Bronx, and Brooklyn. Despite adverse weather conditions, Braata Productions brought the Caribbean holiday spirit to life through traditional foods, arts and crafts, and cultural performances.

Braata Productions' 13th Christmas Grand Market combines its annual festive Caribbean celebration with a call to action for the Jamaican community, directing event proceeds and donated goods toward Hurricane Melissa relief efforts for recovering families and communities.

Executive Director Andrew Clarke sits down with Mss Francois to discuss and reflect on his multifaceted career, from discovering his passion for the arts at Cornwall College and finding success at JCDC competitions to growing Braata Productions into a powerhouse arts organization that brings Caribbean storytelling to the forefront. He also discusses the challenges and lessons of leading Braata Productions, along with the legacy he hopes to build through preserving Caribbean culture and inspiring future generations of Caribbean creatives.

Braata Productions returns to the Mezzanine Theatre at A.R.T./New York Theatres with Braata Singers in Concert 2026: All We A One, an annual Off-Broadway tradition that has become one of the most meaningful touchstones in the Caribbean diaspora’s cultural calendar.

BRAATA PRODUCTIONS has announced this year's BANKRA, a free, multidisciplinary Caribbean Culture Festival celebrating Dominica, Bahamas and St. Kitts & Nevis the three islands that will be centered with this year's Braata programming, and as always Jamaica.

Karl O'Brian Williams' poem, THE BLACK THAT I AM, blossoms into a though-provoking, intimate, and powerful theatrical production directed by Will Brown and presented by Braata Productions. The ensemble production weaves monologues, movement, and music to delve into the intersections of Black identity, heritage, belonging, sexuality, and lived experience across the diaspora.

With a mission to celebrate and showcase the diverse artistic expressions of the Caribbean, Braata has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise $25,000 toward covering production costs, venue fees, promotional efforts, and other essential expenses to bring an Off-Broadway production to life. This financial support aims to help Braata Productions reach a broader audience while providing Caribbean artists with a platform to share their talent and stories with global audiences.

Celebrating 16 years since their Off-Broadway debut, THE BRAATA SINGERS return with 'Unplugged,' an intimate, raw, and soulful musical production paying tribute to Suriname's 50th anniversary of Independence and spotlighting Caribbean music, culture, and folklore.

The 68th OBIE Awards. For their work in showcasing Caribbean and Caribbean-American artists, the judges have awarded an Obie Theatre Grant to Braata Productions.