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Organizational Models

There are many different kinds of theatre organizations, and content in this section explores the diversity of models. Dive in with essays on shared leadership and restructuring a company as a worker’s cooperative.

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
Towards a Sustainable Theatre Model
Essay
Towards a Sustainable Theatre Model
by Scott Walters, Munroe Shearer
27 February 2024
That Which We Call a Struggle: A Response to Ife Olujobi’s “$5000”
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That Which We Call a Struggle: A Response to Ife Olujobi’s “$5000”
by Chris Myers
5 February 2024
The Art of Change
Essay

The Art of Change

REMAP Bay Area and Future Aesthetics

18 June 2016

Laura Brueckner reports on the recent Arts in a Changing America’s REMAP Bay Area convening.

Convivial Control, Culture War, and the thatswhatshesaid Watershed
Essay

Convivial Control, Culture War, and the thatswhatshesaid Watershed

12 June 2016

Eric Kildow looks at the letter written by Doug Wright of the Dramatists Guild in the wake of casting conflicts and at the cease and desist letters sent to the creators of thatswhatshesaid in the context of what they mean for the nature of collaboration and collective control of the means of production. 

Where Do Broken Hearts and Intellectual Copyright Go? The Ponderings of a Dumped Artistic Director
Essay

Where Do Broken Hearts and Intellectual Copyright Go? The Ponderings of a Dumped Artistic Director

5 June 2016

After Ernie Nolan was terminated from a theatre company where he was artistic director, he considers the rights of artists and administrators who work in states where employers can fire at will.

How to Be Rejected
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How to Be Rejected

22 May 2016

Justin Taylor on reframing rejection.

Perfect Partnership
Essay

Perfect Partnership

Workshopping a New Play with a University

25 April 2016

Playwright Donna Hoke writes about an opportunity that allowed her to develop a new play on its feet in advance of a world premiere.

Theatre DIY Don’ts
Essay

Theatre DIY Don’ts

Never Spread Yourself Too Thin

16 April 2016

In this second installment, Ricky Young-Howze shares a lesson he learned while wearing multiple hats in his theatre company.

Meta
Essay

Meta

A Quiet Theatrical Revolution

14 April 2016

verity healey on Cardboard Citizens’ Meta in London, England, and theatre for social change. 

The Servant Economy
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The Servant Economy

12 April 2016

The keynote address delivered by Todd London at the Association of Performing Arts Service Organization on April 6, 2016.

Writing Our Own Rules, to the End
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Writing Our Own Rules, to the End

24 March 2016

Workhaus Collective member Trista Baldwin reflects on the history and organizing philosophy of the playwright collective as it comes to a close after ten years.

I Started My Own Company, Failed Miserably, and I’m Eternally Grateful
Essay

I Started My Own Company, Failed Miserably, and I’m Eternally Grateful

14 March 2016

In this first installment, Ricky Young-Howze shares his experience of starting his own not-for-profit theatre company and offers advice.

Art Forms in Flux
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Art Forms in Flux

Introduction

10 March 2016

In this first installment, Daniel Dvorkin and Shana Johnson of Two Lights Theatre Company introduce Art Forms in Flux, a creative process influenced by the Fluxus movement.

AD 111
Essay

AD 111

Frosh Bites—Eleventy-One Nuggets for Being a Successful and Ethical Artistic Director​

2 February 2016

February 2 marks forty years since then twenty-two-year-old Mixed Blood Artistic Director Jack Reuler sat down to write the original mission and primary objectives for Mixed Blood. Jack commemorates that founding by presenting a list of qualities and practices for successful and ethical artistic leaders.

Five Things Professional Wrestling Can Teach Live Theatre
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Five Things Professional Wrestling Can Teach Live Theatre

3 January 2016

John F. Corrigan looks to the world of professional wrestling for lessons for the theatre community.

Where is the Union for Arts Admin Workers?
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Where is the Union for Arts Admin Workers?

25 November 2015

Thom Dunn makes a case for union protection for the marketers and fundraisers and other theatre administrators who all play important roles, working long hours for little pay or glory.

The LIT Fund Wants Your Nickels
Essay

The LIT Fund Wants Your Nickels

Radical Transparency and a Long Term Vision For Downtown Theatre

23 November 2015

Ben Gassman discusses the LIT Fund’s grant lottery system and the concept of radical transparency.

So, You Want to Build a Theatre?
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So, You Want to Build a Theatre?

21 November 2015

Trip Venturella outlines a process for theatremakers to build their own theatres.

New Partnerships Grow in the Garden State
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New Partnerships Grow in the Garden State

An Experiment in New Play Commissioning

14 November 2015

John McEwen and Andy Donald introduce the New Jersey Performing Arts Center Stage Exchange and talk with the three partnering theatres.

Why Start a Theater Co-op?
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Why Start a Theater Co-op?

12 November 2015

Robert Moskowitz discusses the needs for and advantages of creating a local theatre cooperative.

Women’s Voices Theater Festival
Essay

Women’s Voices Theater Festival

A Weekend in the Emerald City

10 November 2015

Holly L. Derr on Destiny of Desire by Karen Zacarías, Animal by Claire Lizzimore, Queens Girl in the World by Caleen Sinette Jennings, Women Laughing Alone with Salad by Sheila Callaghan, and Uprising by Gabrielle Fulton, all part of the Women’s Voices Theater Festival in Washington, DC.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Lower Your Prices
Essay

Ladies and Gentlemen, Lower Your Prices

26 October 2015

Daniel Gallant discusses expensive ticket costs and advocates more financial accessibility for arts events.

Don’t Depend on Ticket Sales
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Don’t Depend on Ticket Sales

18 October 2015

Seth Lepore discusses why artists and producers can’t depend purely on ticket sales for revenue, using one of his tours through the Midwest as an example. 

From Impulse To Audience
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From Impulse To Audience

Four Days at Toronto’s Theatre Centre

8 October 2015

Raphael Martin on the history, organizational model, current reality, and aspirations of The Theatre Centre in Toronto, Canada.  

Musical Theatre Factory and the Means of New Musical Development
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Musical Theatre Factory and the Means of New Musical Development

29 September 2015

Artistic Director Shakina Nayfack discusses the origins and trajectory of the Musical Theatre Factory, which advocates new musical development.

How to Tour Theatre Like a Punk Band
Essay

How to Tour Theatre Like a Punk Band

28 September 2015

Eli Keel discusses Rough House Theater and their strategies for touring their work like a punk band.

The Final Countdown
Essay

The Final Countdown

After 15 Years of Producing the Unproducible, It is time to Say Goodbye

26 September 2015

Artistic Director Moritz von Stuelpnagel and Board President Roberta Pereira discuss the decision to close Studio 42 at the end of 2015 and the natural lifespan of a theatre.