Community-Based Theatre

Jan Cohen-Cruz asserts that a huge problem facing community-based theatre ensembles is audience cultivation: “Problematic for the field, the terms ‘grassroots’ and ‘community-based’ often evoke inaccurate images” (Ecology 16). Cruz explains that audiences are turned off from this kind of work mainly because of ignorance and misinformation. Mainstream audiences feel like ensemble grassroots companies do not have the structure that a non-profit company has and therefore do not consider them “professional.” Some also believe that it is rewarding for the participants, but not for the audience. A large component of what these ensembles do is the creation of original plays. The writers at the company will create a collaborative piece with community members’ input. While there are currently over fifty grassroots ensembles in the United States, there are three diverse groups whose work in cultivating theatre for their community has been rather successful. They are Cornerstone Theater Company, Teatro Preones and WagonBurner Theater Troop.

                                                            Cornerstone Theater Company

Summer Institute:

Lunch Lady Courage:

Teatro Pregones

Wagonburner Theater Company