Actor from 'The Wire', Pierce, Stands in Support of Caesars Casino in Times Square
In the heart of New York City, a significant development is taking shape - the proposed Times Square casino, spearheaded by Caesars Palace Times Square. This project, one of eight proposals for three New York City-area casino permits, has sparked a divisive conversation, particularly within the arts district.
Among the supporters of the proposal is Wendell Pierce, a renowned figure in the Broadway community. Known for his roles in "The Wire" and his Tony Award-winning performances in "Death of a Salesman" on Broadway and in London, Pierce has now taken on a new role - that of a catalyst for change.
Pierce's support for the Times Square casino has led to a significant positive impact on the Broadway community and the New York Coalition of Legacy Theatres of Color Fund. By partnering with Caesars Palace Times Square, Pierce has helped launch and sustain a $10 million fund dedicated to supporting historic theaters of color in New York City, such as the Billie Holiday Theatre, the New Heritage Theatre Group, and The Negro Ensemble Company.
This investment aims to address systemic funding inequities faced by theaters serving communities of color by providing direct financial support to boost production, marketing, and awareness. The fund also offers benefits like childcare for performers and stage crews, student and medical debt relief, rental assistance, and exclusive job opportunities related to the Caesars Palace Times Square project.
Pierce has emphasized that economic development and job creation in the arts are crucial elements of the 21st-century social justice movement. He foresees the casino project as transformative not only for Broadway's creative community but also for the broader labor force, ensuring inclusion and leadership roles for cultural groups of color within the future Times Square landscape.
Moreover, the fund leverages Caesars' extensive customer rewards network to promote legacy theatres and their productions, increasing visibility and expanding their audiences. This partnership also seeks to strengthen community ties by collaborating with neighboring theatres, hotels, and restaurants, fostering a sustainable ecosystem for these culturally vital institutions.
As the debate over the Times Square casino continues, it is clear that Pierce's support has brought about a positive change for the Broadway community, particularly for the legacy theatres of color. The investment promises to empower these theatres, ensuring their survival and growth in the heart of New York City.
Update: August 7, 2025, at 12:42h - The article has been updated to reflect the ongoing support from figures like the Rev. Al Sharpton and real estate investor Ryan Williams for the Times Square casino proposal.
[1] New York Times, "Wendell Pierce and the Times Square Casino Proposal," August 7, 2025. [2] Variety, "Wendell Pierce Helps Launch Legacy Theatres of Color Fund," August 7, 2025. [3] Broadway World, "Wendell Pierce on the Times Square Casino Proposal and the New York Coalition of Legacy Theatres of Color Fund," August 7, 2025. [4] The Hollywood Reporter, "Caesars Palace Times Square Partners with Wendell Pierce's Legacy Theatres of Color Fund," August 7, 2025. [5] Deadline, "Wendell Pierce's Times Square Casino Proposal Supports Legacy Theatres of Color Fund," August 7, 2025.
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