ABOUT US
WHAT WE DO
WE ARE DEDICATED TO CELEBRATING THE BRILLIANCE OF GENERATIONS OF LGBTQ+ ARTISTS AND PROVIDING A HOME FOR UNHEARD STORYTELLERS AND ACTIVISTS.
MAINSTAGE
The National Queer Theater Mainstage produces new plays by, for, and with
LGBTQ+ communities.
Mainstage productions are developed by a community of professional LGBTQ+ artists in pursuit of artistic excellence and social justice through positive representation. Through post-show discussions with the artists, they activate audiences to create change in their communities through civic engagement.
Our flagship event is the Criminal Queerness Festival, which you can learn more about here.
EDUCATION
National Queer Theater partners with community-based nonprofit organizations serving marginalized LGBTQ+ communities.
Our programs aim to include the HIV+ community and empower youth, elders, activists, and educators through the transformative power of theater.
These programs include workshops, classes, and long-term residencies led by expert Teaching Artists.
Learn more about our educational programs here.
NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT
National Queer Theater invests in supporting early-career LGBTQ+ playwrights through developmental readings, staged readings, and public workshop productions.
These early stage programs help playwrights develop their work to become more effective advocates and artists in the cultural sector. The program also promotes the creation of new plays by writers of marginalized backgrounds to diversify the theatrical landscape.
Any calls for submissions will appear here.
National Queer Theater is a proud founding member of the Queer Theatre Alliance, a coalition of queer theatres across the country with the shared goal of promoting equity and empowerment through the performing arts.
To learn more, visit: https://queertheatrealliance.org
What is the Queer Theatre Alliance?
Queer Theatre Alliance is an international coalition of theaters that present theatrical programming by, for, and about LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) communities as their primary mission. Through monthly meetings,the alliance uplifts and amplifies Queer Theatre by sharing creative and operational resources that support queer theatre and queer theatre artists.
Queer Theatre Alliance (QTA) seeks to advance the field of Queer Theatre through an international network of performing arts organizations that share resources and work to promote justice, equity and inclusion for LGBTQ+ artists and audiences that promote positive change in their local communities.
QTA envisions a thriving international ecosystem of Queer Theatre Companies that act as an integral part of the international culture, nurturing and promoting the plurality of stories of the LGBTQ+ community in a safe and celebratory environment.
VALUES
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Inclusion
We commit to creating a welcoming and inclusive space within the Queer Theatre Alliance, where every individual, regardless of identity, feels valued and represented in our vibrant community. -
Advocacy
We dedicate ourselves to tirelessly champion the rights and visibility of the LGBTQ+ community within the realm of theatre and the broader cultural landscape. -
Liberation
At the heart of our mission is the pursuit of liberation, empowering queer voices to break free from societal constraints, fostering a creative environment where authenticity and self-expression can flourish without inhibition. -
Artistry
We celebrate and nurture the diverse artistry within our community, fostering an environment where queer and marginalized voices can boldly express themselves, pushing the boundaries of storytelling and performance in the realm of theatre.
WHAT IS QUEER THEATRE?
Queer Theatre is a genre of theatre created by, for, and about LGBTQ+ people, presenting transgressive work on queer history and culture, using elements of drag, camp, and political activism to challenge the status quo. Queer Theatre works to employ LGBTQ+ artists in all facets of production and administration to maintain a thriving and sustainable ecosystem for our community.
WHY DO WE NEED QUEER THEATRE?
By producing Queer Theatre, we make stories about LGBTQ+ identities and experiences more widely visible and normalized. By amplifying a multitude of LGBTQ+ stories, we build community within our field amongst artists, producers and administrators as well with our outer networks; advocacy groups, service organizations, intergenerational LGBTQ+ communities, government officals, etc.
Queer Theatre shows us that we don’t have one story. By sharing a multitude of queer narratives, Queer Theatre brings our diverse community together in celebration, allowing for self-determination and exploration of our complex identity. Queer Theatre erases stereotypes and stigma by representing radically different experiences within queer community.