The mission of the New Conservatory Theatre Center is to champion innovative, high-quality theatre experiences for youth, adults, and artists to effect personal and societal growth, enlightenment, and change.

In 2008, NCTC produced 24 theatrical events and received six San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Awards. We served over 600 youth through in-house and off-site drama classes, and over 20,000 youth through touring YouthAware Educational Theatre health and wellness programs. Fundraising accomplishments included completing Phase One of the James L. Coran and Walter A. Nelson-Rees $1.5 Million Legacy Challenge Campaign, and officially launching our Encore Society Planned Giving Program. We also secured a 15-year Master Lease for our downtown San Francisco home. Our major goals for 2009 are audience development through online marketing, new signage outside our facility, building of bridges between programs, and alliances with local businesses and groups; fund development through Board Stewardship, increased individual donor opportunities, multi-year grant commitments, and special event fundraising activities; and Facility Stability now that our new lease is in place.

Founded in 1981 by current Artistic/Executive Director Ed Decker, NCTC began as a small theatre arts conservatory for low-income youth and has blossomed into a multifarious performing arts institution. Since 1986, NCTC has toured YouthAware Educational Theatre programs which utilize the transformative power of theatre to educate youth about vital health and wellness concerns. In 1995 we launched our Pride Season, which features eight plays that give voice to LGBT stories and themes. NCTC also produces cabaret performances, children’s theatre, and special events throughout the year at its multi-theatre complex in downtown San Francisco. In recent years, NCTC has added a New Play Commissions program to create new works and an Emerging Artists Program to cultivate young talent. Today, our programs serve upwards of 40,000 people each year.

• Grants for the Arts/San Francisco Hotel Tax Fund - $74,200
• William and Flora Hewlett Foundation - $60,000
• James Irvine Foundation - $50,000