Chance Theater
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Annual Activities
Working on behalf of our conviction that the performing arts are an essential public good, critical to a healthy and truly democratic society, and invaluable as a source of personal enrichment and growth, we produce socially conscious, intimate theater experiences to provoke dialogue and motivate our patrons to stay after each performance to explore the human experience and build empathy along with our artists and their fellow neighbors. To deepen the process, we partner with related organizations and experts. In our recent production "Fun Home", the achingly beautiful story of Alison Bechdel’s journey as an LGBTQ writer, artist, and activist, included discussions with Jennifer Terry (Professor, Gender and Sexuality Studies, UC Irvine), Chandelle Loop (LGBTQ Center Orange County), and Porter Gilberg (LGBTQ Center Long Beach).
Beyond our productions, Chance Theater is committed to helping our underserved communities to find their voice and “speak up” about their lives and experiences. For fifteen years, our successful grant-funded Speak Up programs have been helping at-risk teens, students on the spectrum, and veterans find empowerment through the discovery of their own unique voice and story. Using traditional ensemble-building techniques, improvisation, playwriting exercises, and public performances, these “silent” members of our community have the opportunity to speak, so that we have the opportunity to listen; proving again and again that greater understanding fosters greater empathy. A common refrain from our participants, “For once I felt like I had a voice and it mattered. I felt like I was a part of a larger story.”
Where we work
Awards
Best of 2019, "The Vandal" 2019
Bitter Lemons' Critics Choice Award
Best Musical - Intimate Theater "Lizzie, the Musical" 2019
Los Angeles Ovation Award
Best Musical - Intimate Theater "Fun Home" 2020
Los Angeles Ovation Award
Affiliations & memberships
Theatre Communications Groups - Constituent Theatre 2003
Arts OC 2001
Orange County Theater Guild - Member Theatre 2019
External reviews
Photos
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, It is difficult to find the ongoing funding to support feedback collection, Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Chance Theater
Board of directorsas of 05/26/2023
Mr Bruce Goodrich
Cal State Fullerton
Term: 2023 - 2023
Oanh Nguyen
Chance Theater
Casey Long
Chance Theater
Terry Schomberg
South Coast Repertory
Larry Cripe
Retired Accounting, Financ and Information System Professional
Martin Benson
South Coast Repertory
Laurie Staude
Community Leader
Andy Lamb
Senior VP, South County Bank
Bruce Goodrich
Retired Theatre & Dance Department Chair, Cal State Fullerton
Bette Aitken
Community Leader
Susan Bowman
Community Leader
Elizabeth Jones
Attorney (Retired)
Freddie Greenfield
Tide Pool Educator/Outdoor Enthusiast
Rachel Knapp
Finance Executive, Higher Ground Education
Rachelle Menaker
Attorney (Retired)
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? No -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No