RISE (Representation, Inclusion, & Support for Employment) seeks to build a more equitable and inclusive theatre industry by centralizing DEIA tools and resources through a network of partners and a national personnel directory that focuses on folks from underrepresented backgrounds, including but not limited to people of color, women, trans, nonbinary, deaf, and disabled theatre professionals.
RISE Theatre is a program of Maestra Music.
Our network partners are hosting some great events this month. Check out what’s On the RISE in the RISE Theatre Network.
Creative Nations/Dairy Arts Center
All-Indigenous Artists Collective Creative Nations Launches First Storyteller’s Festival To Develop Works For The Stage By Native Artists Sept 30-Oct 6th, 2024
(Boulder, CO - May 8, 2024) - Creative Nations, an all-Indigenous-led artists collective founded at The Dairy Arts Center in Boulder, is thrilled to announce the inaugural First Storyteller’s Festival (FSF). This groundbreaking event is dedicated to nurturing works for the stage by Native artists and storytellers. FSF 2024 will take place from Sept. 30th through Oct. 6th at multiple locations across Boulder County.
The festival will feature a dynamic lineup of events designed to support and showcase the diverse talents of Native playwrights, musicians, poets, dancers, and other storytellers. Attendees can look forward to a diverse range of events including staged readings, panel discussions, workshop productions, and educational workshops aimed at training both current and future generations of Native theater artists.
Marty Strenczewilk, festival founder, Ojibwe playwright and Creative Nations Managing Director, expressed his excitement, saying, "As a playwright, I’ve always dreamed of being part of a festival built by Native artists that focused on developing work by Native artists. Being able to bring FSF to life has been something I’ve been working on for quite a long time and the outpouring of community support has been incredible. I believe FSF will serve as a vital platform for amplifying Native voices and stories."
Melissa Fathman, Executive Director of The Dairy Arts Center, emphasized the center's commitment to supporting Native artists and continuing to serve as a hub for engaging arts experiences. She stated, "We are honored to continue to support Creative Nations and thrilled to be part of its First Storyteller’s Festival. This festival aligns perfectly with our mission to promote diversity, inclusion, and artistic excellence. We look forward to providing a welcoming space for Native artists to share their talents and stories with the Boulder community."
In addition to The Dairy Arts Center, FSF is proud to announce new partnerships with three major cultural institutions of the region: Colorado Chautauqua, the Longmont Museum, and CU Boulder’s Center for Native American and Indigenous Studies and its Department of Theater and Dance. These partnerships will further enhance the festival's capacity to develop works and reach new audiences.
Tickets for FSF 2024 will be available at a later date. In the meantime, mark your calendars and join us in Boulder for an exciting week celebrating the rich tapestry of Native storytelling and creativity. Visit https://www.firststorytellersfestival.org/ for festival updates, including ticket sales.
About Creative Nations
Creative Nations’ Sacred Space is a permanent onsite establishment for Indigenous Artists at the Dairy Arts Center in Boulder, Colorado. The goals at Creative Nations are to create a space for creation and collaboration, as well as foster opportunities for all Indigenous artists to thrive. All donations given to Creative Nations will be put towards causes, projects, and programming that benefit Native arts. For more information, visit: https://thedairy.org/creative-nations-art/
Creative Nations is a new Network Partner for RISE Theatre.
About the Dairy Arts Center
The Dairy Arts Center is Boulder’s largest multi-disciplinary arts venue, hosting an array of theatrical performances, concerts, visual art galleries, films, comedy, dance productions, and more within 42,000 square feet of newly-renovated facilities. The building’s transformation from a milk processing facility to an arts hub in 1992 is a nationally recognized example of constructive urban development and renewal. The Dairy houses three ultramodern live performance theaters, several studio art galleries, and an 80-seat art-house cinema. From weekly events like Friday Night Weird to community gatherings, creativity is always being celebrated at the Dairy.
For more information, visit: https://thedairy.org
About Colorado Chautauqua
The Colorado Chautauqua preserves, perpetuates and improves the historic site and spirit of Chautauqua by enhancing its community and values through cultural, educational, social and recreational experiences. https://www.chautauqua.com/
About Longmont Museum
The Longmont Museum is a center for culture in Northern Colorado where people of all ages explore history, experience art, and discover new ideas through dynamic programs, exhibitions, and events. https://www.longmontcolorado.gov/departments/departments-e-m/museum/about-the-museum
About the CU BoulderCenter for Native American and Indigenous Studies
CNAIS promotes collaborative research, teaching and creative work focusing on both local and global Indigenous knowledge and values, and fosters wide ranging Native and Indigenous Studies projects that aim to open conversations both in Colorado and the world. https://www.colorado.edu/cnais/
About the CU Boulder Department of Theater and Dance
The Department of Theatre & Dance at CU Boulder provides students with the tools and space to become the next generation of citizens, professionals, and leaders in and through theatre, dance, and performance studies. https://www.colorado.edu/theatredance
Beyond The Stage Door
Beyond the Stage Door (BTSD) is a comprehensive and intensive educational program designed to educate and prepare undergraduate students and new to the industry professionals from diverse backgrounds for careers in general, company and stage management.
Recently, BTSD celebrated the culmination of its 2024 intensive In-Person Week in New York City, where chosen applicants immersed themselves in a whirlwind of captivating Broadway shows, industry networking events and insightful seminars, panels, and discussions. Applications for the 2025 Cohort open in Fall 2024.
Interested in applying? Head to https://www.beyondthestagedoor.org/contact to get a notification when applications open.
Broadway Advocacy Coalition
After last year’s strategic planning process, the Broadway Advocacy Coalition (BAC) is refocusing to align with their founding purpose: to utilize the power of the arts to ignite action and drive meaningful change.
Through a refreshed vision, BAC is refocusing on initiatives connected to the legal system in New York by using artivism to build a more equitable tomorrow – and building the collective capacity of individuals, organizations, and coalitions to do the same. Learn more about BAC’s refocus on their website.
Open Stage Project
Applications for Open Stage Project’s year-long, after-school ACT 2 Program are now open. The ACT 2 Program introduces girls and non-binary students to behind-the-scenes careers in theater, TV, and film. This FREE program includes monthly skill-building workshops; field trips to professional scenic, costume, and lighting shops; networking with women working in TV, film, and Broadway; and one-on-one mentorship with industry professionals. NYC high school girls, including cisgender and transgender girls, and non-binary students are invited to apply.
Applications due by August 1, 2024.
Theatre Advocacy Project
Join Theatre Advocacy Project (TAP) for an online event focused on creating a safe and equitable theatre culture. This one hour survey class provides artists and theatre professionals an opportunity to learn more about HR and DEI in the arts, while also being introduced to the resources and workshops available to them through TAP. Topics covered include: Courageous space agreements, Social identity, Intersectionality, and Resources for de-escalating incidents of harm.
Building Safe & Equitable Theatre Culture (Series)
First in the series: May 13, 3:30-4:30pm EDT
For more information, visit https://www.risetheatre.org/ or create a profile for the RISE Theatre Directory and join the community.
