Theatre Bay Area

The thirty-year old Theatre Bay Area (TBA) is the largest regional theater service organization in the United States. It serves the third largest theater community in the country, which is comprised of more than 400 companies in eleven counties (including 30 Hewlett grantees). TBA offers a range of services to address the theater community’s need for audience development, advocacy, and professional development. TBA also regrants funds from Hewlett to support new work created by small-budget theater and dance companies. Under the direction of Executive Director Brad Erickson TBA has become an increasingly visible and important advocate not just for the Northern California theater community but for the arts throughout California and nationally. Currently there is a tension within the organization between broadening its scope to deliver services and support arts organizations outside the theater sector, and investing more heavily in the programming oriented towards its core membership of theater artists and producers. There are compelling rationales for moving in both directions, and it is not assumed that these tensions are irreconcilable; however it is clear that the organization will benefit from a considered, strategic planning process. With organizational effectiveness support TBA will engage a consultant to conduct interviews with internal and external organizational stakeholders, workshops with board and staff, and will by December 2009 produce a strategic planning document for the company. Supported by the Hewlett foundation with project and general operating support since 1981, TBA is a crucially important service organization for the arts in the Bay Area and this project will increase the likelihood that it continues to manage its resources effectively while meeting the changing needs of the arts community.