Step1 Theatre project believes that theatre, big and small, has the power to connect strangers to each other and the present moment, provoke thought, inspire action, and make a positive impact on both the audience and artists involved in the experience. The Step1 Theatre Project team believes this long-existing art form should be accessible to all peoples regardless of class, race, ethnicity, self-identity or self-expression and envisions a more equitable theatre landscape that is fostered from the bottom up. Grounded in these beliefs, Step1 Theatre Project’s mission is to amplify the voices of underrepresented artists by producing their works and offering accessible developmental and educational opportunities. In addition to producing diverse works, S1TP offers free cold readings for playwrights with developing pieces, free workshops, and an accessible developmental pipeline. Step1 aspires to become a stable presence in the NYC indie theatre community that contributes more accessible production and developmental opportunities, particularly for emerging underrepresented artists competing for extremely limited resources. The company’s name serves as an encouraging reminder that every creator, no matter how widely recognized, had to start somewhere. Even if socioeconomic barriers make the creation process more challenging, artists must not be discouraged from creating.
