The Human Race Theatre Company is the Dayton region’s resident professional company. As our name suggests, we present universal themes that explore the human condition and startle us all into a renewed awareness of ourselves.

Core values:

• Affect the conscience of our society

• See our audience as our partner in the creative experience

• Provide a platform for artists to evolve and explore

• Be an educational resource for our community

Aspiration:
As the primary professional producing theatre in the Miami Valley, we will continue to be the gateway for theatre professionals with a national presence to share their talents with our community. The well-informed theatre patron will find our mainstage seasons satisfying and unique, while the novice theatre patron will find an inclusive warm atmosphere to explore a broad spectrum of script choices and the intimate relationship between artist and audience. Our education programs will reach beyond our geographic boundaries and create opportunities for young and mature students alike. Our programs to develop new musical theatre works will receive national recognition for the company and our region. We will continue to be recognized as an organization of merit and integrity.

COMPANY PRINCIPLES:

Producing theatre is our primary business, an activity that connects artists and audiences.

In the selection of materials for presentation:

• We address the issues that affect our society and the people in our community today.

• We include new and contemporary works, as they become available.

• We include classic works in such a fashion that we--both artists and audience--experience the work anew, so that its impact is forceful and fresh.

• We are actively involved in the development of new musical theatre works; we support playwrights and composers by bringing their work to an audience.

• We explore new methods and styles of performance.

• We include materials that families may attend and enjoy together, acknowledging that the parents and grandparents of today train the audiences of the future.

Our audiences are more than consumers; they are intelligent and informed--critical partners in our creative experience.

• We will provide opportunities for our audience to obtain information about our programs and productions and allow them to respond directly to the artists and administration, which may affect change in our product or programming.

• Our community deserves the opportunity to experience new developments in our art while they are still new.

• We believe theatre must entertain--and by entertain we mean that it must be of a large enough experience to transport us out of ourselves.

As a recipient of community funding, we will insure that the organization is fiscally sound and will continue to provide professional employment for theatre artists as well as maintain a major presence in the cultural fabric of our community.

This company seeks collaborations with artists and companies that will enhance our own performance skills and create unique production opportunities for our audience. We treasure both cross-disciplinary projects and partnerships with other arts organizations.

A community is richer by the presence of artists; therefore, we nurture the talents of artists invested in the region as well as encourage new artists to join our community.

• We acknowledge the contribution of the gifted theatre artists who have built this company through their quality performances, through their voluntary service, and by identifying The Human Race Theatre Company as their artistic home. To these artists, the company may extend an invitation to become a Resident Artist. Resident Artists of the Human Race may be given preferential consideration in hiring, though they are not guaranteed work or directly compensated as Resident Artists.

• An important role of the Resident Artist is to be part of the Human Race community--to participate in the evaluation of scripts, to speak out on the company's behalf, to bring new ideas to the creative table, and to keep the spirit of the company true to its mission.

• Some of our Resident Artists have moved to other regions or taken time to pursue other professional or personal interests. These artists are considered “ex officio”.

• We bring visiting artists into our community to provide both our theatre artists and audiences with new skills and viewpoints.

• We encourage our resident artists to network with outside professionals because theatre artists grow in their craft when exposed to the global community.

MEMBERSHIP
Annual contributors to The Human Race Theatre Company are considered members. Their tax-deductible support of the company shows their commitment to insuring that the company will continue into the future.

THE ENCORE SOCIETY
Members of the Encore Society have provided for the company by including The Human Race in their estate plans.

SPONSORSHIP
Corporations, Foundations or Individuals who support the company sponsor specific productions or projects and are publicized at these events.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT :

I am committed to producing a season of theatre experiences that not only span the broad range of entertainment but also surprise our audiences at every turn. Theatre is most exciting for me when it dazzles me with ideas and stirs my curiosity. I will produce scripts that are grounded in our world, as we know it, but examine it from a unique angle or unusual perspective. I like to laugh but find that all emotional expressions keep my heart in shape. I am committed to quality writing and want to provide a platform for new voices not completely developed as well as the classic writers of the theatre. I will hire directors and designers to provide an ever-changing point of view in presentation styles. I will seek quality artists from the national level to bring their skills to our audience, while maintaining a close watch on fiscal restrictions. I am committed to keeping an open door for artists resident to our region in the hopes that we will be a catalyst for growth in the theatre artist community. Our executive director is an incredible artist in his own right and I am committed to him to produce our musicals and be an active artist. I will share in the administrative functions of the company to allow him the time needed to provide this service. The Human Race compliments the programming of educational theatre, which focuses on the training of new professionals, community theatre, which offers an avocational experience for many residents, and touring theatre, which allows our audiences to see productions of a scale unable to be regularly produced in Dayton.

-Marsha Hanna,
2006

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The Human Race is a not-for-profit (501c3) corporation governed by a 27-member Board of Trustees. Each Trustee serves a two-year term and may be renewed for a total of six years.

PRODUCTS OF THE HUMAN RACE THEATRE COMPANY

The Loft Series – Our signature subscription series at The Loft Theatre consists of plays and musicals, recent releases and classics. Most productions on The Loft Series are rehearsed and produced in Dayton; some are produced in partnership with The Victoria Theatre Association. The Human Race produces under a Small Professional Theatre contract with Actors Equity Association (AEA), the union of professional actors and stage managers.

Musical Theatre Workshop – These performances of new musical theatre works allow the composer/lyricist and playwrights the opportunity to review their work in a staged reading before an audience. Occasionally, an established work that has infrequent productions may be produced for the enlightenment of our audiences.

Pay What You Can – A special preview with admittance by the donation of cash to the Aids Resource Center Ohio or canned goods/non-perishable food items to Miami Valley Food Bank. This serves both the community and the patrons who may find the regular performances more than their budgets can afford.

While We’re On The Subject – A moderated discussion held with the cast and the audience members immediately following the matinee performance on the second Sunday of each production. Frequently a guest joins the group to offer unique commentary concerning the topics brought to light by the production.

• Active participation in the creation of art fosters an appreciation of art by others. As the children of today become our future audiences, we encourage our students to become informed, curious, adventurous audience members.

• Students who are seriously interested in pursuing a career in theatre deserve the opportunity to train with disciplined, caring professionals in order to develop an attitude and the skills that are required to compete in professional theatre.

• We look for opportunities to support academic institutions and theatre students by providing instruction by or internships with professional artists. We encourage the theatre faculty of these institutions to share their talents with the entire community and hone their skills by participating in the artistic activities of this company.

• For theatre professionals, training continues throughout life, and many non-professionals look for an opportunity to explore untapped talents. Our education program provides opportunities for the adult beginner and the seasoned professional to pursue these experiences.

EDUCATION PROGRAMS OF THE HUMAN RACE

HRTC Conservatory – Admittance by audition only, this company rehearses and studies weekly for an entire year, using many guest instructors to cover specific skill sets and culminating in a public performance. Study includes characterization, vocal training, speaking Shakespeare, early physical training and more.

Adventures in Theatre – Designed for our youngest students (ages 6-12), classes are built around a topic that uses theatre skills to explore non-theatrical ideas. Each class is unique, allowing a beginning student to join at any point in the year. The repeating student sees a growth and maturity in skills as they progress. Creative play includes storytelling, writing/improvisation of dialogue, playing roles, making puppets and producing mini-plays. Classes are scheduled in 5-week sessions, one meeting per week.

Theatre Education Classes – Individually scheduled classes for teens and/or adults are offered to explore a specific topic and may meet once or multiple times, depending upon the instructor. Offerings may change over the course of a year.

In-School Tour – Each year we develop a 45-minute touring production for Middle and High Schools that is part of our Theatre in Context program. Past productions have included Shakespeare, Twain, Steinbeck, Sophocles, and Chekhov as well as several original scripts.

Theatre in Context – A curriculum based education program with The Muse Machine that combines a mainstage production from The Loft Series with an In-School Tour as well as teacher training and additional student experiences. In a given year, the program may revolve around a specific author, historical period or idea.

Broadway Birthday Bash – A child celebrates their birthday with up to 14 of their friends. Choose a theme and through the scheduled hour and a half, our staff leads the children in creative dramatic activities. Party participants present a mini-performance for their parents before sharing the provided cake. Parties are available for booking to groups between 4 and 8 years of age.