True Colors Theatre
True Colors Theatre Company is dedicated to supporting Black creatives and amplifying Black voices through commissioning new works and nurturing young talent. The company collaborates with community leaders and organizations to bring impactful programming to diverse audiences.
Mission and Goals of True Colors Theatre Company
True Colors Theatre Company is dedicated to supporting Black creatives and amplifying Black voices. The company's mission is to celebrate the rich tradition of Black storytelling while giving voice to bold artists of all cultures. True Colors Theatre challenges the traditional programming model for American theatres by centering the work of Black playwrights and creating a safe space for new work development. The organization also acknowledges that the land on which they operate and perform is the traditional and ancestral land of the Creek and Muscogee Peoples.
The Drinking Gourd Project
The Drinking Gourd is a multi-year project by True Colors Theatre Company that aims to create a coalition of Black theatres to co-commission, co-develop, and co-premiere the work of Black artists across the country. This initiative addresses the trends where Black playwrights receive infrequent premieres, thereby ensuring sustained support and visibility for their works. Through the Drinking Gourd consortium, the theatre company commissions and premieres works by leading Black playwrights nationwide.
The Next Narrative Monologue Competition
True Colors Theatre Company is entering the third year of The Next Narrative Monologue Competition. This national competition focuses on high school students in grades 9-12, equipping them with tools and mentorship to nurture young talent. The top two winners from each region earn an all-expense-paid trip to New York City to compete in the National Finals at the Apollo Theater. The competition is an integral part of the theatre's efforts to foster the next generation of artists and storytellers.
Community Engagement and Partnerships
True Colors Theatre Company collaborates with community leaders and organizations such as MARTA, the Atlanta Beltline, and Home Depot Backyard to bring impactful programming to diverse audiences. Their range of community engagement programs includes panel discussions and performances at MARTA stations. The theatre's connectivity programming initiative nurtures enduring partnerships that aim to integrate the arts into the community's fabric and make theatre more accessible.
Funding and Support
True Colors Theatre Company has received major funding from various esteemed bodies, including the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. These grants and financial supports enable the theatre to continue its mission of developing and premiering new works by Black writers and to support its various community and educational initiatives.