Amphibian Stage

Objectives:

Inspire audiences with new ideas and open opportunities for conversation and human understanding; provide entertainment that is social and gets people away from their screens so that they connect to their community; give paid opportunities to artists; introduce new and diverse patrons to the beauty and joy of theatre.

Give writers and directors a safe space to create new work; put Amphibian on the map as a place that identifies and nurtures rising talent; give new plays the support they need to have robust lives on stages throughout the country (or the world); be at the forefront of influencing national trends in theatre.

Give comedians a safe space to develop their work before they face the harsher world of comedy clubs and the demands of network television decision makers; shine a light on Fort Worth as a place where top comedy artists want to work; attract young audiences and introduce them to Amphibian; increase earned revenue.

Instruct at-risk kids about the countries around the world where stilt dancing is a tradition; provide opportunities for joyful physical activity; build physical stamina and foster good health; teach team work; get kids away from their electronic devices; build self confidence.

Provide college students with valuable experience and hands-on training that will prepare them for a variety of professions; connect students with professionals working in the theatre around the country; continuously be in touch with the ideas and preferences of the younger generations we all hope to attract.

Provide DFW audiences with some of the finest theatre in the world at an affordable price; supplement high school students’ education with theatre performances that frequently feature their favorite television and movie stars in classical plays.

Provide veterans with the tools to manage the effects of PTSD; use Shakespeare to improve verbal and non-verbal communication; give veterans enjoyable, but challenging, activities that keep them out of trouble while in jail; provide opportunities for camaraderie; foster self-confidence.

Strategies:

Select a season of plays by diverse voices that inspire and open minds. Identify talent and potential and give it every opportunity to thrive.

Offer new play residencies, workshops, and world premieres.

Offer stand-up comedy residencies.

Hold weekly stilt dance workshops.

Host National Theatre Live at The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

Offer De-Cruit Shakespeare workshops to incarcerated veterans.

Amphibian is led by an artistic director and managing director with playwrighting, directing and producing experience spanning several decades

We have a team of regular collaborators and partners who represent diverse talent in every aspect of theater

Amphibian has been a community leader in performing arts for more than 20 years regularly partnering with our local organizations and building loyal patronage as well as a membership base.

Our carefully selected theater and comedy seasons have helped build credibility in the theater world, attracting local and national artists to our stage.

Outcomes:

Amphibian’s audiences continue to grow in numbers and in passion for the exciting work we produce. Patrons are wildly passionate about the work and mission, although this is difficult to quantify. One of our major donors attended a play about a friendship during the AIDS epidemic; following the performance he informed me that he was so moved by the play’s message that he had decided to make a gift to Samaritan House, the organization that we had invited that day to share information about HIV prevention and early detection.

CYRANO, which we commissioned and produced in 2018, has now received 3 productions around the country at major theatre companies. At Amphibian it broke sales goals. HOW EMBARRASSING FOR HER has been performed around the world, including at the Edinburgh Theatre Festival in Scotland. SMART PRETTY FUNNY was produced in Australia. All of these plays were developed and premiered at Amphibian.

In 2015 21% of comedy patrons did not live in Fort Worth. A steady growth in out-of-town audience members now shows them as 41% of our comedy patrons. Three years ago 32% of audiences were 25 and 40. That percentage has now increased to 58%. We currently receive more requests for residencies than we can accommodate. Creative Artists Agency, one of the premiere talent agencies in the US, has asked for exclusivity with Amphibian so that we only work with their clients. All comics who have taken advantage of this program have asked to return.

Our Saturday workshops have tripled in size. Parents report that their children are more self-confident and less isolated, spending less time on their electronic devices. The children now look forward to performing for community groups and at area festivals.

Four administrative interns and six technical theatre apprentices worked with us in 2018.

We have many notes of support from the participants, including Steven J, who wrote: “In my opinion Mitch and the De Cruit program is an amazing and extremely helpful program. It has helped me release so much tension and stress. I hope that it takes off and spreads to other vets to help them as well. I have learned ways to calm and stability my emotions through this program. Mitchell is an amazing mentor and I am grateful for his teachings.” Captain Dunham at Green Bay reports a marked improvement in demeanor and camaraderie in the veterans’ pod due to our classes.