Supporters and Networks - Progress Theatre

Learn more about the amazing organizations, networks and supporters of Progress Theatre.

The Kennedy Center

As the “nation’s cultural center,” the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, is a leader for the arts across the United States. Kennedy Center’s systemic commitment to social impact lives in the belief that arts hold unique power to build community, center joy, inspire action, and drive meaningful change. PT Founder, Dr. Cristal Chanelle Truscott is currently a 2022-2025 Social Practice Artist-In-Residence at the Center.

Creative Capital

Creative Capital supports innovative and adventurous artists across the country through funding, counsel, gatherings and career development services. PT Founder, Dr. Cristal Chanelle Truscott, is a 2019 recipient of the Creative Capital Award in Musical Theater and Social Practice for her current work in progress: Plantation Remix.

The MAP Fund

The MAP Fund invests in artistic production as the critical foundation of imagining and — ultimately — creating a more equitable and vibrant society and is among the longest-running grant programs in arts philanthropy. PT’s Cristal Chanelle Truscott is a 2016 recipient of The Map Fund for the development of Plantation Remix, Progress Theatre’s next touring piece.

Doris Duke Performing Artist Awards

DDPAA is a program undertaken by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, to empower, invest in and celebrate artists who have impacted and are helping to move forward the fields of dance, jazz and/or theatre. PT Founder Cristal Chanelle Truscott received the 2014 Impact Artist Award for her influential work in contemporary theatre.

Network of Ensemble Theatres

NET is a national coalition of ensembles created by and for artists to propel ensemble theater practice to the forefront of American culture and society. PT is a long-time member of NET, with PT founder Dr. Cristal Chanelle Truscott having previously served on the board of directors. PT’s 2013 strategic planning work was supported by NET’s Travel & Exchange Network (NET/TEN), with lead funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

Inner-City Muslim Action Network

IMAN is a community organization that fosters health, wellness and healing in the inner-city by organizing for social change, cultivating the arts and operating a holistic health center. PT is a member of IMAN’s Artist Network, having performed at several Community Cafe’s and IMAN’s 2-day festival Takin’ It To The Streets.

Hi-Arts

Formally known as the Hip-Hop Theater Festival, Hi-Arts is a leading organization within the urban arts movement who’s mission is to develop and produce new works of performance and visual arts; to provide a platform for artists; and to create educational and community programs that connect to and expand the audience for urban arts. PT’s The Burnin’ is made possible with additional funding from Hi-Arts.

United States Artists

United States Artists Fellowships are unrestricted funding awards for artists and collectives working throughout the United States and its territories across the following disciplines: Architecture & Design, Craft, Dance, Film, Media, Music, Theater & Performance, Traditional Arts, Visual Art, and Writing. Each year, the Fellowship recognizes artists at all career stages—emerging, mid-career, and established—for their contributions to the cultural landscape of the country. PT Founder Dr. Cristal Chanelle Truscott is a 2023 United States Artist Awardee.

NEFA National Theatre Project

National Theatre Project is a program of New England Foundation for the Arts which promotes the development of artist-led, ensemble, and devised theater work while extending the reach and life of these projects through touring. Progress Theatre received a 2018 NTP Grant for the development and touring of their current work-in-progress: Plantation Remix and previous NTP grant in 2011 for The Burnin’.

The Idea Fund

The Idea Fund, a re-granting program administered by Houston’s DiverseWorks, Aurora Picture Show, and Project Row Houses; and funded by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts announces PT’s Cristal Chanelle Truscott among their Round 8/2016 grantees. The Idea Fund supports artist-generated or artist-centered projects that exemplify unconventional, interventionist, conceptual, entrepreneurial, participatory, or guerrilla artistic practices

National Performance Network

NPN is a national organization supporting artists in the creation and touring of contemporary performing and visual arts. PT has toured through NPN Partners since 2001 and has received 2 Creation Fund Grants for PEACHES, co-commissioned by New WORLD Theatre (Amherst, MA) and PS122 (NY, NY) and The Burnin’, co-commissioned by Junebug Productions, Inc. (New Orleans, LA) and Hartford Stage (Hartford, CT). The Creation Fund is supported by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Ford Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Alternate ROOTS

ROOTS is a group of artists and cultural organizers based in the South that supports the creation and presentation of original art which calls for social/economic justice and works to dismantle all forms of oppression—everywhere. PT is a member of ROOTS, has received the Artist Assistance/Project Development Grant for The Burnin’ and been featured at ROOTS’ Annual Meeting.

Art x Culture x Social Justice x Network

ACSJN is a network connecting people and organizations engaged in learning and action to make the world more equitable and creative. PT was featured on ACSJN’s inaugural blog.

Social Impact Studios

Social Impact Studios is a creative action hub for engaging people in issues and culture. Through the lens of art, history and culture, Social Impact Studios is a place where creative activists collaborate, learn and do the work. From concept to the material, they create action plans, visuals, messages and moving grassroots experiences to make a better world – together. PT has worked with SIS for website design. See also: soulworkmethod.com.