In 2013, the National Black Theatre (NBT) assembled 19 black theatre administrators from across the country in response to the terrifying reality that black theaters nationwide were quietly becoming extinct. The convening illuminated that Black theatres are dying from a lack of accessible resources and failing infrastructures. The Black Theatre Commons began meeting at Theatre Communication Group’s (TCG) 2014 National Conference as an immediate response to NBT’s “Catalyst” convening, with the goal of developing strategies around stabilization and sustainability. Collectively, BTC members represent over 100 years of institutional knowledge; differing in location, infrastructure, operating budget, focus and aesthetic. Our goal is to create a new foundation of actionable strategies that support Black theaters and Black practitioners.

The creation of the Black Theatre Commons (BTC) is birthed out of a need within the field for an arts service institution that can provide infrastructure to Black Theatres and Black individual practitioners. Our institution is founded on the practice of working from a commons methodology which is working to design systems that allow for resources to be accessible to all members of the chosen community. The BTC is committed to deepening our leadership and analysis by combining the commons method with field wide best practice to lead with equity, diversity, and inclusion in all staff, volunteers, and audiences, including full participation in programs, policy formulation, and decision-making.

“You can’t really know where you are going until you know where you have been.”

-Maya Angelou