Baltimore Theatre Project

Performing arts center in Baltimore, Maryland, US

Baltimore Theatre Project in February, 2025

The Baltimore Theatre Project is a performing arts center in Baltimore, Maryland.[1]

## Early years

[edit]

The Baltimore Theatre Project was founded in 1971 by Philip Arnoult, as an addition to Antioch University.[2][3] The project was initially recognised as Baltimore's Free Theatre, as all shows did not require an admission fee.[4] Through the Theatre Project, Arnoult also established community outreach programs such as the Baltimore Neighborhood Arts Circus and Baltimore Voices.[5]

Theatre companies, including Pilobolus Dance Theater, Urban Bush Women, Bread and Puppet Theatre, Studio Scarabee, the IOWA Theatre Lab, and Spiderwoman Theatre, were invited to perform at the theatre throughout the 1970s. Theatre Project was a co-producer of The New Theatre (TNT) Festivals at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and downtown Baltimore (1976–1979).[6]

In 1980, as part of Baltimore's campaign to eradicate rats throughout the city, the Theatre Project was hired to help convince the community to take the lead fighting rats in their neighborhood.[7] They produced a musical, titled Rat Squad for elementary school audiences, which successfully reached tens of thousands of school children and was revived by the city the following year.[7]

In the early 1980s, the termination of the theatre's affiliation with Antioch resulted in the cessation of free public performances.

## 1983–present

[edit]

In 1983, the Baltimore Theatre Project began an extensive renovation of its main stage space.[8] The performance and audience spaces were also redesigned.

In 1992, Robert Mrozek became the director of Theatre Project. During his tenure, artists such as Karen Finley; Danny Hoch; Holly Hughes; James Magruder; da da kamera's Daniel MacIvor; Squonk Opera; and David Drake performed.[4]

In the fall of 2001, Anne Cantler Fulwiler took over the directorship of the Baltimore Theatre Project. Her tenure saw performances from local companies like Blue Rose Theatre, Run of The Mill, Air Dance Bernasconi as well as national performers like Jacksonville slam poet and playwright Al Letson.[4]

In late 2009, Theatre Project became a recipient of stimulus funding from the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation as part of the national stimulus project to fund the arts.[9]

Chris Pfingsten became producing director in 2012.[4]

## References

[edit]

* "The Corner Theatre as a Cultural Oasis: Or will Yosemite Sam Find Happiness In The Vast Sahara Desert?" Performance, Baltimore's Weekly Newspaper on July 13, 1972 (Vol I, #5)

1. ^ "Directions to Theatre Project". Theater Project. March 9, 2017. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
2. ^ Freedman, John (July 3, 2024). "Philip Arnoult: Breaking Bread and Crossing Borders". American Theatre. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
3. ^ "History of the IOH Building". Theater Project. March 9, 2017. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
4. ^ a b c d "Theatre Project's History". Theater Project. March 9, 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
5. ^ Baltimore Voices Company Records; University of Baltimore Special Collections and Archives. https://archivesspace.ubalt.edu/repositories/2/resources/136 Accessed July 28, 2024.
6. ^ "The New Theater Festival: Boggling Chic in Downtown Baltimore". Washington Post. December 21, 2023. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
7. ^ a b Peirce, Neal R (September 21, 1981). "The Baltimore Theatre Project: Surviving Doomsday". The Baltimore Sun. p. 13. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
8. ^ "Theatre Project's History". Theater Project. March 9, 2017. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
9. ^ Staff Reports (December 28, 2009). "Pa. arts grants benefit area". The Cumberland Times-News. Retrieved March 2, 2024.

39°18′16″N 76°37′5″W﻿ / ﻿39.30444°N 76.61806°W﻿ / 39.30444; -76.61806

* v
* t
* e

Arts and entertainment in Baltimore

Districts|

* Bromo Arts District
* Highlandtown Arts District
* Station North Arts and Entertainment District
* West Baltimore Innovation District

Festivals|

* Artscape
* Baltimore Flower Mart
* Fell's Point Fun Festival
* HonFest
* Kinetic sculpture race
* Maryland Film Festival

Institutions|

* Baltimore School for the Arts
* Maryland Institute College of Art
* Peabody Institute

Museums|

* American Visionary Art Museum
* Baltimore Museum of Art
* Charm City Art Space
* Peale Museum
* Walters Art Museum

Venues|

* Baltimore Theatre Project
* Center Stage
* The Charles
* Copycat Building
* Corner Theatre ETC
* Everyman Theatre
* Hippodrome Theatre
* Holliday Street Theater
* The Lyric
* Mayfair Theatre
* Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
* Mobtown Ballroom
* Parkway Theatre
* Royal Theatre

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* United States

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template