Our network partners are hosting some great events this month. Check out what’s On the RISE in the RISE Theatre Network. If you want to stay in the know, check out risetheatre.org.
It’s Maestra’s Birthday Month and RISE’s 2nd Birthday!
RISE Theatre Directory officially launched on June 8th, 2023. We are so grateful for the continued and new support we have received in these past two years.
- In just 2 years we have nearly 4,000 users from every region in the USA accounted for in the directory.We continue to update the RISE Theatre Directory based on the feedback and needs of our industry. With more updates to arrive this summer…
- Last fall, we launched the inaugural RISE Summit, and are in the midst of planning this year’s summit happening on September 9th, 2025.
- Our Network is growing! We currently have 46 partners in our Network, with an astounding 12 new partners joining us in this next cycle. Please make sure to visit our website and learn more about the work, opportunities, and communities they support.
So much of our work and programming is dedicated to our community, and we are only able to continue developing this because of the feedback and interactions we’ve had with you all. It’s because of you that we are able to continue cultivating care that allows us all to RISE together. Thank you.
We can’t wait to see what this next year brings!
If you’ve seen RISE’s impact, or if you yourself have benefitted from RISE’s offerings, we hope you’ll considering making a birthday gift as you’re able
Please welcome our new RISE Network Partners joining us this cycle!
AXIS Dance Company, Broadway Green Alliance, Dance Data Project, Director’s Gathering, Drama Club, Expand the Canon, Fuse Theatre, Notes for Notes, Noor Theatre, Theatre of the Oppressed NYC, The Circle Keepers, The Make Good Project.
Thank you for joining us in this vital work. By joining this network, you are helping shift industry practices and open doors for the next generation of talent. We look forward to collaborating with you and building a stronger, more inclusive future for theatre.
Maestra and RISE at New York Music Month Save the Date:
Gender Equity in Musical Theatre: Navigating a Changing Political Landscape Panel Discussion
This timely conversation will explore strategies for supporting women and nonbinary creatives in musical theatre, the evolving role of federal and philanthropic resources, and the legal frameworks influencing our field.
Date: Wednesday, June 25
Time: 5:00 – 6:00 PM EDT
RSVP information will be shared soon
Hosted by Maestra and RISE in partnership with New York Music Month
Congrats to Josie for joining the Invest in Access team!
Earlier this month Josie Dring joined Invest in Access as a Summer Associate! Josie is an Acting major at Emerson College with a minor in Hearing and Deafness — a combination that perfectly blends her love for performance and her passion for accessibility. Whether she’s diving into a Shakespeare scene, playing piano, or tap dancing, Josie brings energy, empathy, and artistry to everything she does. She’s also on a path toward becoming an interpreter. Invest In Access is thrilled to support the growing pipeline of emerging talent shaping both the theatrical industry and the field of interpretation.
Parity Productions Presents: Strange Fish
Friday, June 20th @ 7:00 pm ET
Saturday, June 21st @ 3:00pm & 7:00pm ET
The Atelier at Theaterlab
Written by Reid Pope (they/them) Directed by Jaye Hunt (they/them)
Strange Fish is a theatre piece about how we all morphed from little amoebas with one big eye and no anus. It follows two trans kids, Lila and Max as they play basketball in a park. As Lila and Max dribble and shoot, they discuss the sea creatures they’ve been assigned to create out of paper maché for their elementary school Great Barrier reef project. They play-act as seahorses. Give birth to shoes and sports equipment. Quiz each other on biology. Max grows interested in hermaphroditic fish. Lila grows interested in Max. They spend time exploring the fluidity of the sea (and one another). Then struggle with evolution. What do we hold onto? What should we hold onto? What can we honor and what can we let go of?
Join Women & Theatre for their Summer Networking Event
Friday, June 13th from 6:30–9:30 pm ET
Come chat with other fantastic women and gender-expansive folks in the Women & Theatre community at this free and fabulous event. Let's make the most of the summer weather with snacks and drinks, chit-chat, and community! This event is limited to 30 attendees due to space limitations. It will take place in Washington Heights off the A/1 trains, and the exact location will be shared upon registration.
Stay Tuned
For Season 5 Part 2 of the Women & Theatre Podcast, launching June 17!
Women & Theatre Community Events
Learn and Connect with the Circle Keepers for their Second Annual Peace and Justice Youth Conference
Saturday, June 14th from 9:30am to 5pm ET
Boerum Hill School for International Studies, Downtown Brooklyn
This all-day, youth-centered event will feature 20+ youth-led workshops on restorative justice, participatory action research, mental health, abolition, and more. Last year, they welcomed over 350 attendees—and they’re hoping to see even more of you this time! Completely free and includes breakfast, lunch, snacks, tote bags, community service certificates, raffle prizes, and more!
Black Theatre United- Design Expo!
Black Theatre United is excited to announce the BTU Design Expo, June 20th, 2025! This unforgettable inaugural event will feature Broadway designers from every field of design, including panels, talks, demonstrations on cutting-edge design processes, and one-on-one portfolio reviews.Focused on up-and-coming and early-career designers, the Expo offers a unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals and learn about the many ancillary skilled jobs within the design world. Best of all, the BTU Design Expo is free and open to the public — you won’t want to miss it! The Expo is part of the ongoing BTU Designer Initiative, which also includes the Before the Curtain Rises YouTube series. These mini-documentaries highlight the journeys of leading designers like Mia Neal, Natasha Katz, and more.
Additionally, the BTU Design Hub, launched in October, is live on the BTU website. It offers a growing database of scholarships, internships, and opportunities for designers of color. Stay tuned for more details and visit the link below for updates!
R.Evolución Latina Beyond Workshop Series 2025
Presented by R.Evolución Latina in collaboration with Pregones PRTT, this one-of-a-kind interdisciplinary program offers performing arts training with a unique emphasis on ensemble work and community building.
BWS challenges artists to strengthen their technical skills in dance, acting, and voice while fostering self-confidence and leadership abilities. Through collaborative classes participants will enhance their artistry and storytelling while deepening their understanding of what it means to create as part of an ensemble.
The program will culminate in a unique showcase opportunity. Participants accepted into BWS 2025 will have the chance to join R.Evolución Latina’s 2025 showcase production—a new work in development directed by Luis Salgado. While participation in the showcase is an exciting opportunity, it is not mandatory and does not impact involvement in the BWS program.
