AUSTIN: ATX Theatre, a coalition of over 80 Austin theatre companies, announces the launch of ATXtheatre.org, an online hub for Austin theatre.
The group formed to encourage collaboration and resource-sharing just before COVID-19 shut down the performing arts. Throughout the pandemic, ATX Theatre fostered new joint ideas between companies and worked to strengthen relationships between Austin theatre leaders. ATX Theatre applied for 501(c)(3) not-for-profit status to support Austin theatre companies, a mission emphasized by the site’s priority to “unite theatremakers and audiences, to expand Austin’s economic and cultural vitality, cultivate access to live theatre, and foster community.”
The website will house a comprehensive list of Austin productions and theatrical events, all listed in partnership with the Austin Creative Alliance (ACA). Additionally, the site will offer resources for schoolteachers, parents, and industry workers, as well as articles spotlighting theatre companies and individual makers including designers, creatives, technicians, and actors.
“Since ACA serves all artists throughout the arts and culture sector, this kind of industry-specific partnership makes good sense for a subset of the people we serve,” said ACA programming director Jenny Lavery in a statement. “It helps bring theatrical projects that much closer to the specific audiences hungry for them. And as the artistic director of Theatre en Bloc, I’m all for that!”
ATX Theatre strives to support Austin theatres’ commitments to improve accessibility and take tangible action to increase equity. The industry directory will be structured specifically to foster diversity in hiring, and the site will highlight companies making programming choices with diverse audiences in mind. ATX Theatre plans to announce an inclusivity-driven initiative for young audiences later this summer.
“Through outreach, monthly producer meetings, industry happy hours and normalizing the sharing of everything from ideas and information to props and costume pieces, ATX Theatre aims to help the Austin theatre community feel a little more personable and welcoming to all,” said key contributor to ATX Theatre, Sharron Anderson, in a statement. “This group is working from within to open up Austin’s theatrical systems to be more equitable, transparent, and accessible.”
Austin theatregoers and theatremakers can join the ATX Theatre website for free.
