The New African Grove Theatre Company is a community theatre founded to encourage African American participation and involvement in all aspects of theatrical production.  New African Grove Theatre Company carries on the spirit of the first African American theatre company in the United States, the original African Grove  company.  Free Blacks established the theatre in New York City in 1821. Even though the company folded after only two years of play production, the theatre was important because it provided and opportunity for African Americans to present plays that gave them dignity.