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Not-For-Profit Theatre and Commercial Theatre

Content in this section focuses on the intersection between the not-for-profit and commercial theatre fields and writing about specific shows that have been developed and produced by companies in each sector. Start with Diane Ragsdale’s foundational 2012 essay “In the Intersection: Partnerships in the New Play Sector” or purchase the whole book.

The Latest

Blessings and Provocations from the 2024 Under the Radar Symposium
Essay
Blessings and Provocations from the 2024 Under the Radar Symposium
by Ashley Malafronte
8 April 2024
The Virtuosity of Black Storytelling with Tarell Alvin McCraney
Podcast
The Virtuosity of Black Storytelling with Tarell Alvin McCraney
by Jordan Ealey, Leticia Ridley, Tarell Alvin McCraney
6 March 2024
Andy Field’s Encounterism
Video
Andy Field’s Encounterism
Andy Field Talks about Forest Fringe—an Independent, Not-for-Profit Space in the Edinburgh Festival
Monday 5 June 2023
New York City
Photo from The Jungle Book.
Monoculture, and Pleasures of The Jungle Book
Essay

Monoculture, and Pleasures of The Jungle Book

31 October 2013

Allison Vanouse writes about Disney Theatrical Enterprise's approach to theatermaking, and how high art and children's theater meet in their regional theater collaboration: The Jungle Book.

Skyline of New York City.
Is New York City part of America? Off-Broadway and the Regional Theater Tony Award
Essay

Is New York City part of America? Off-Broadway and the Regional Theater Tony Award

26 July 2013

Jonathan Mandell writes about the inclusion of off-Broadway theaters in the Regional Theater Tony Award, and why we should end the rhetoric of us vs. New York.

Cover of Diane Ragsdale's book "In The Intersection."
How “In the Intersection” Made Me Go To The Library
Essay

How “In the Intersection” Made Me Go To The Library

16 May 2013

Daniel Burmester reflects on "In the Intersection" and the call for more artists who are looking at the big picture of the American theatre – not just from production to production.

Billboards light up and tourists walk in Times Square in New York City at dusk.
What Price Idealism, or Who You Gonna Dance With?
Essay

What Price Idealism, or Who You Gonna Dance With?

15 May 2013

Todd London shares why prioritizing the ideals of theatre companies—particularly not-for-profit theatre—is essential.

The Twitter logo.
Weekly Howl on Thursday, May 16
Essay

Weekly Howl on Thursday, May 16

Best & Worst Practices in Commercial/Not-for Profit Theater Partnerships

13 May 2013

The topic for this week's Howl will be Best & Worst Practices in Commercial/Not-for Profit Theater Partnerships: What's working well? What needs to change? We'll be using Tory Bailey's article Response to In the Intersection as a starting point.

A book cover.
Response to "In the Intersection"
Essay

Response to "In the Intersection"

12 May 2013

Tory Bailey shares her experiences working in not-for-profit theatre.

Two performers in A Trip to Bountiful stand side by side while looking upward and smiling.
The Not-So-Bountiful Trip to Broadway
Essay

The Not-So-Bountiful Trip to Broadway

24 April 2013

Alisa Solomon shares the complex history of A Trip to Bountiful's journey to Broadway.

Book cover of "In The Intersection".
In the Intersection
Essay

In the Intersection

Partnerships in the New Play Sector

16 October 2012

Diane Ragsdale summerizes her report on the meeting between US Non-Profit and Commerical Theater Producers in Washington, DC in 2011, and what she learned there.

Count What Matters Most
Essay

Count What Matters Most

5 March 2012

Clayton Lord discusses changing theater's model for measuring impact from an econonic to intrinsic.

Actors rehearse for a play.
Make It Hurt So Good
Essay

Make It Hurt So Good

8 December 2011

Miriam Weisfeld ruminates on whether art should hurt, examining the dynamics of visual art, theatre, and American culture.