Creating human centered experiences.
Mission
(X) Collective is a group of theatre artists dedicated to using theatre as a vehicle for service and community-building.
Our mission is to be in conversation and collaboration with our communities through service, reciprocal relationship-building, and collective experiences.
Humans inspire stories. Telling those stories inspires conversation and ideally, action. And we aim to serve the communities and humans at the center of those stories.
We believe in the power of theatre to facilitate collective experiences.
We believe that theatre extends beyond a stage, curtain, seats, and the act of performance - the curation of a collective experience is a theatrical experience.
We utilize the following forms of collective experiences:
Live performance (scripted, devised, music, dance, spoken word, etc)
Community conversations
Community service events
Communal gatherings
We believe that communities do not exist just by happenstance - they are the divine result of humans coming together. We believe in the potential of those individual humans and are dedicated to their wellness and wholeness. If the individuals are not well, the collective suffers.
We are committed to serving and building with our artists and the wider community beyond the confines of a production.
Why “(X)”?
In basic algebra, we were always asked to “solve for x”. “X” was the first variable we were ever taught. It was ever-changing and it represented infinite possibility.
(X) Collective is invested in these ever-changing variables.
The world will never stop changing. How do we make art that continues to evolve with these changes? How do we remain flexible, allow ourselves to be challenged, and remain students not only of the craft but of humanity? As we continue to dissect identity, how do we recognize the beautiful complexities and intersections and reflect and uplift those in our work? How do we continue to interrogate our own complicity in upholding white supremacy, anti-Blackness, ableism, transphobia, homophobia, xenophobia, and other forms of oppression? How do we hold ourselves accountable to the communities we claim to reflect? How do we solve for “X” when “X” is always swirling, transforming, dying, and regenerating?
We don’t claim to have the answer. But we are invested in the infinite questioning.
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room living on the earth.”
Core Service Commitments
Community Circle Fund
For each project, a certain amount of funds will be available for the community to access.
The community who has access to the fund would be determined by the project theme and goals.
These funds can be used to support anything from childcare to a doctor’s appointment to just taking day off. Again, we are committed to the wellness and wholeness of the humans.
Community Investment Partnerships
Each program will work to partner with at least one other organization in the community.
Beyond engaging (featuring an ad in the playbill or bringing a representative to a talkback), (X) Collective is committed to investing our time and resources.
How can we expect the community to invest time in us if we don’t do the same?
(X) Collective members will invest a certain number of volunteer hours in community partners alongside every program or production.
The question is - “How can WE serve YOU?”
Community Gathering
With every program, we will bring people together in community.
This can look like a community conversation, a social gathering, a dinner, or even a game night.
RECOGNITIONS
As we create this vision, we feel it is crucial we acknowledge those who have nurtured us and influenced us:
Carmen Morgan and artEquity
Nissy Aya
Lauren Turner Hines and No Dream Deferred NOLA
Ashley Teague and Notch Theatre Company
David Hemphill and the Black Theatre Troupe
Ready to collab with us?
Feel free to contact us via email or fill out our respective contact forms to explore different ways to work together. We’re excited at the potential to create with you!