Summary
Organization name
Outcry Theatre, Inc.
Causes
Arts & Humanities
Operating Budget
$250,000 - $499,999
Counties Served
Collin, Dallas, Denton
BIPOC Leadership
Board Chair
Address
1915 North Central Expressway Suite 120Plano, TX 75075
Outcry Theatre is a 501(c)(3) theatre company that focuses on developing a new generation of theatre artists. Our Outcry Youth Theatre program serves ages 5-18 with approximately eight productions a year as well as classes and summer camps. In addition, Outcry Theatre produces professional productions with paid local talent.
Outcry Theatre's professional productions present unique, challenging, and rarely produced shows that the public would most likely not be able to see in the Metroplex. Highly creative and brimming with ingenuity, our professional productions take big artistic risks. They are also a great launching ground for young actors at the beginning of their careers. Our professional productions regularly receive great reviews and Column Award nominations. Local critic Christopher Stephen Soden wrote, "In their short and astonishing history Outcry Theatre has proved themselves repeatedly to be a jazzy, canny, raucous David in the face of Goliaths."
While youth theatre is popular in North Texas, Outcry Youth Theatre is unique. We produce plays that young actors would not get the opportunity to act in at any other theatre. These include challenging shows like Anton Chekhov's The Seagull and rarely produced shows like The Cripple of Inishmaan. Our youth theatre productions have won a number of BroadwayWorld Dallas awards over the years.
Outcry Youth Theatre's focus is on pushing the students to perform at a level that rivals professional actors. Students learn how to act, but they also learn how to achieve their best through focus, hard work, and bravery. They learn to be responsible for themselves, and helpful to others. Students learn discipline, focus, and accountability. They are taught to give 110% to every rehearsal and performance and to strive to constantly learn and grow. This is a work ethic and life approach that will help them no matter what they end up pursuing. Students frequently come back show after show, and the growth they show over their time at Outcry is astonishing.
Our Needs
Outcry Theatre is in need of funds to help us move into a larger space that will allow for multiple rehearsals to go on at the same time that would also serve as a performance venue. We also need funds for scholarship opportunities to allow greater access to theatre for those in need.
Theatre is an expensive endeavor, with many costs including theatre rental, performance royalties, scripts, sets, props, puppets, lights, hiring music directors, fight choreographers, and more. We pride ourselves on solving problems with creativity that maximizes the use of financial support. And we would like to continue to push our creative and technical limits as we produce outstanding theatre. Your support makes Outcry's creative and important work possible.
Mission
The mission of Outcry Theatre is to draw youth and young adults to the theatre as both audience and participants. Outcry Theatre strives to integrate the arts into the lives of young people to encourage them to become lifelong artists and arts appreciators. Outcry Theatre utilizes bold artistic vision, highly physical staging, and an energetic and visceral performance style. With rigorous rehearsals, tenacious attention to detail, and unwavering dedication to excellence, Outcry Theatre focuses on developing stellar performances and exceptional storytelling.
Needs
Your donation to Outcry Theatre is more critical than ever this year. We have recently been hit with a 50% increase in rent for our rehearsal location. On a positive note, we are excited to announce that we added a new staff member this year, Facilities Manager and teacher Benjamin McElroy. But these two new major expenses make your donation so important.
In the long term, we are seeking funds to help us move into a larger space that will allow for multiple rehearsals to go on at the same time that would also serve as a performance venue.
Theatre is an expensive endeavor, with many costs including theatre rental, performance royalties, scripts, sets, props, puppets, lights, hiring music directors, fight choreographers, guest teachers, and more. We pride ourselves on solving problems with creativity that maximizes the use of financial support. And we would like to continue to push our creative and technical limits as we produce outstanding theatre. We also need funds for scholarship opportunities to allow greater access to theatre for those in need.
Your support makes Outcry's creative and important work possible and helps us continue to change the lives of young actors and artists.
Media gallery
Organization Data
Plano, TX 75075