Major support
The William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund
Creator of the Baker Artist Portfolios — Baltimore's gold standard for individual artist recognition. bakerartist.org →
Home/Mission
Theatre Project · Since 1971
We're here to present What's Next.
An intimate 150-seat theatre on West Preston Street where Baltimore meets the artists who are actively engaged in creating new work in live performance.
Mission
Through the presentation of innovative contemporary works in performing arts, Theatre Project connects Baltimore with a diverse community of emerging and established artists — local, national, and international — creating original work across all genres of live performance.
What that looks like in practice
01
We present everything.
We're not an organization with a singular style. We're an incubator — a theatre that lets an aerial artist, an experimental composer, and a puppet company all share a season — because the work is what matters, not the format.
02
We support original work.
Every season features new and original work from resident artists, guest artists, and local companies. If you saw it here, chances are you saw it first, from the people who created it!
03
We do more than shows.
Workshops, master classes, artist discussions, visual art exhibits in the John Fonda Gallery — we’re here year-round — a place where artists and audiences meet both on stage and off.
Five decades on West Preston
We started in 1971 by passing a hat at the door — admission was whatever you decided to put in. Half a century later we're still here presenting What's Next!
1971
Founded
150
Unobstructed seats
200
Events per season
500+
Artists on our stage
60%
Sixty cents of every dollar goes directly to the artists and staff who make it all happen. The other forty keeps the lights on, the rent paid, and the doors open for whoever's next.
— Theatre Project operating model
Who stands behind this work
Supported by the community at large.
Operating support comes from individuals like you, corporations, and grants from government and foundations.
Operating grant
Maryland State Arts Council
The state agency cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive — across every county in Maryland. msac.org →
CIVIC partner
Create Baltimore
Funded by Mayor Brandon Scott and the Baltimore City Council. promotionandarts.org →
Operating grant
Baltimore County Commission on Arts & Sciences
County-level support that lets us serve audiences from across the region, not just the city. baltimorecountymd.gov →
Foundation
The France-Merrick Foundation
Long-running Baltimore philanthropy supporting the city's cultural institutions. france-merrickfdn.org →
Foundation
The Robert W. Deutsch Foundation
Funders of innovative arts and education programs across the Baltimore region. rwdfoundation.org →
Donations platform
Network for Good
Our giving partner — every donation processed securely and routed directly towards operations. networkforgood.org →
Support the work
Keep What's Next coming.
Your donation goes 60% to the artists and 40% towards the operations that make it all possible. Both parts matter.
Donate →In addition — show up!
See it before everyone else does.
One of the best things you can do to support a theatre like ours and our artists is sit in a seat. Buy a ticket, grab a Flex Pass, and come see What's Next.
See What's On →