THEATRE ARLINGTON INC
The heART of Downtown Arlington!
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?
ACT UPS (Applied Creative Thinking Using Performance Skills)
ACT UPS was developed as a partnership with the Arlington Independent
School District. The ACT UPS program targets culturally diverse, at-risk students
within AISD. Instead of focusing on talent and performance techniques, ACT
UPS teaches spontaneous creative problem solving of everyday situations using
performance activities and skills as teaching tools. ACT UPS was designed to
break through participants’ emotional armor and encourage students to undertake
the risk that both performing and life can bring.
For sixteen
years, Theatre Arlington’s teaching artists have led the ACT UPS students in
twice weekly sessions and guided them through various creative exercises
dealing with social and family stresses, drug abuse, violence, conflict
resolution and financial independence. The ACT UPS program is currently at Crow
Elementary and Thornton Elementary where teaching artist Jacque Wahl works
closely with the schools’ fourth grade teachers to incorporate curriculum
materials into their lesson plans. The teachers also incorporate ACT UPS
material into their classes, allowing them to meet their TEKS (Texas Essential
Knowledge and Skills) in a creative and interesting way. Ms. Wahl also focuses
on creative dramatics, movement, confidence and each school proudly produces a
musical production at the end of the school year to celebrate all they have
learned. The Act Ups program now reaches approximately 1,500 at-risk
children each year, either through class or by performance. Theatre Arlington
looks forward to the continued growth and expansion of the ACT UPS program.
Camp Be a Star
CAMP BE A STAR is a one-week summer
camp focused on homeless and
transitional-housing children in Arlington, which was developed to bring arts
enrichment programs to students who are at risk for low performance, low
self-esteem and confidence, and dropping out of school. Theatre Arlington operates the program - the only one of its kind in Arlington - with help from The Salvation
Army, Mission Arlington and the Arlington Independent School District’s
Families in Transition department. Each summer this camp reaches approximately 45-60 children, ages
5-15 in Arlington who are homeless
or live in a transitional housing situation. 85% of our students are
African-American, 10% are Hispanic and 5% are White. Unlike many organizations,
we provide transportation to and from our camauditioning/interviewing techniques, improvisation, make up design,
and stage movement. Students are encouraged to explore their creativity through
the use of their voice, body, and imaginations. On the final day of the camp,
students will present a heartfelt and unforgettable 30-minute production for
friends and family on the BIG Theatre Arlington stage. Thousands of their peers
take these types of experiences for granted but these are so very priceless for
our students. After their stage debuts,
we gather in the theater lobby for a fun and delicious party to celebrate them! For some of our students this may
be the biggest meal they've had all week. It is truly a humbling and moving
week for all involved.
Where we work
Awards
95% rating for Overall Artistic Quality & 97% rating for Overall Capability and Impact 2011
Arts Create panel of Texas Commission for the Arts
Top Five Best in Local Theater - "How I Learned to Drive" 2011
Star-Telegram
Outstanding Design in Local Theater - "Corpse" design team 2011
Critical Rant
Best Direction - The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 2010
Dallas-Ft. Worth Critics Forum
Critic's Choice Award - Best Theater Group 2008
Fort Worth Weekly
Affiliations & memberships
Actor's Equity Association 2012
Chamber of Commerce 2012
Texans for the Arts 2012
External reviews

Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
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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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
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THEATRE ARLINGTON INC
Board of directorsas of 02/22/2022
Dr. Richard Urso
Peter Scott
Craig Lidell
Debra Freiheit-Reich
Robin Dotson
Diane Kinzlmaier
Aaron Reich
Kara King Lidell
Richard Urso
Michael Miller
Sharon Miller
Micah Green
Holly Potter-Harvey
Jennifer Boone
Trinli Milliorn
Courtney Perez
Nancy George
Brian George
Becky Phillips
Lynn Scott
Debbie Peach
Mary Gilman
Mark Craig
Lori Craig
Nadia DeStefano
Steve Pierret
Felicia Abram
Jenna Anderson
Sissy Day
Tracie Donaldson
Lee Anne Gierisch
Jack Hardaway
Pam Hardaway
Anita Heiskell
Gayle Krengel
Barbara Nash
Penny Reichert
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 ? Yes -
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? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes