WHO WE ARE

Our coalition, a national caucus of non-profit theater artistic, managing, and executive directors, consists of more than 160 theaters represented from across the United States from all 50 states for organizing purposes. This national workgroup originally convened to advocate for inclusion in what is now the Shuttered Venues Operator Grant and PPP Loan Programs. 

We welcome you to engage in the continued organizing of our national theater community toward federal legislation that will proactively support the health of our industry and our future.  This coalition emerged responsively to our shared pandemic crisis and remains dedicated to working collaboratively toward mutual aid, relief, and recovery action. 

OUR STRUCTURE

So far, we represent theaters with a keen interest in this work from every region of the country, urban and rural, large and small, BIPOC focused theaters, and predominantly/historically-run white theaters. We are open in our coalition building. We are continuing to add artistic, managing, and executive directors who share our passion for advocacy and our ability to recover from this pandemic. We have a planning committee of 14 theaters which meets weekly and the entire coalition meets monthly.

Planning Committee:

• Alliance Theatre (GA)

• Actors Theatre of Louisville (KY)

• Arena Stage (DC)

• Bishop Arts Theatre Center (TX)

• Center Theatre Group (CA)

• Dallas Theater Center (TX)

• Guthrie Theater (MN)

• Pasadena Playhouse (CA)

• Perseverance Theatre (AK)

• Portland Center Stage (OR)

• Studio Luna (CA)

• The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (MO)

• The Public Theater (NY)

• Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company (DC)

There is a small leadership committee consisting of Arena Stage, Center Theatre Group, Pasadena Playhouse, The Public Theater, and Woolly Mammoth Theatre of Washington DC.

We are informally organized, and Pasadena Playhouse (a 501(c)3 organization) has been operating as our fiscal agent

WHAT WE DO

We are very clear this work is in service of our entire industry. We work towards equity and inclusion and to be an anti-racist coalition as we quell the white supremacist culture’s individualism at every turn.

Our coalition’s second focus is to formulate a vision and strategy for the Federal government’s new and expansive role concerning the non-profit theater field. The Depression of the 30's sparked the Federal Theater Project as an employment program; the prosperity of the 1960s led to the New Frontier and the Great Society, of which the NEA and the Regional Theater Movement were the theatrical expression; might the 2020s be another moment when we can reimagine the federal role for the Arts?  

In this era where the necessity for equity, inclusion, and access is prominent, how can the theater sector play an even more significant role in making a more just, equitable, and anti-racist society? And how can our government help us? With this national coalition building, we hope for this era to be one where we make an enduring radical change.

We are working organically, and there are many ways to support and engage this work beyond joining a committee. How would your theater like to participate in these collective efforts?

GET INVOLVED & FIND OUT MORE 

Please fill out this form to indicate your interest and so we know how to follow up with you regarding details and updates. We also encourage you to invite other artistic, managing, and executive directors to join this coalition. Please let us know, and we can support this process.

The outcomes of these efforts will serve the whole of our field, not just those who serve on these committees. This Coalition is alive and vibrant, and eager to continue. Whatever capacity you choose to engage in, your support and participation will make us more vigorous advocates for our recovery efforts. We look forward to a time of communal thriveability.

Contact Jess Slaght with questions: pntcoalition@gmail.com

Photo: Dallas Theater Center