1971–1992
Philip Arnoult
Founder
Built the venue, the model, and Baltimore's connection to international theatre. Theatre of Nations 1986 happened on his watch.
Theatre Project · Est. 1971
Half a century of saying yes to What's Next.
Started with a hat. Hosted Pilobolus, Bread and Puppet, and the only North American Theatre of Nations Festival. Still doing it!.
1971
The founding
Philip Arnoult opens a theatre in Baltimore where no tickets are sold. After every performance, a hat is passed. Audiences put in what they think the work is worth. We're refered to as "Baltimore's Free Theatre."
Founder · Philip Arnoult · 1971–1992
The major moments
A timeline of yes.
1971 — The Early Years
Pass the hat, host the legends.
The early seasons bring Pilobolus Dance Theater, Urban Bush Women, and Bread and Puppet Theatre to Baltimore. Outreach programs like the Baltimore Neighborhood Arts Circus and Baltimore Voices extend the work into the community.
1976–1979
The TNT Festivals.
Theatre Project co-produces The New Theatre (TNT) Festival at UMBC and downtown Baltimore. The festival positions the venue as a serious player in experimental presenting beyond Baltimore's city limits.
Singular moment
1986
The only North American Theatre of Nations Festival.
Baltimore is selected as the site of the International Theatre Institute's biennial Theatre of Nations Festival — the prestigious global gathering's only North American location, ever. Theatre Project is the reason.
1983–1984
The theatre is transformed.
Major restructuring renovates the historic 45 West Preston Street building. The result: a 33-by-35-foot sprung wood floor, the original 20-foot acoustic dome is preserved, and 150 intimate seats.
1992
Bobby takes the wheel.
Robert Mrozek becomes director. Over his tenure the stage hosts solo performance and devised work from artists who would shape American performance for decades.
Mrozek-era artists at BTPKaren
Finley · Danny Hoch · Holly Hughes · James Magruder · Daniel McIvor (da da kamera) · Squonk Opera · David
Drake
1994
We're accessible!
Chair lifts are installed making the historic building ADA accessibility. The door opens wider.
2001
Anne Sustains the legacy.
Board member and former employee Anne Cantler Fulwiler takes over. Under her direction, Theatre Project sustains its artistic reputation, expands community outreach, and improves financial stability.
2011–2012
40th anniversary. The hat returns.
Theatre Project marks 40 years with a new membership program — and a "pass the hat" performance of every show in the season, in honor of how the doors first opened.
July 2012 — Today
Chris and the present era.
Chris Pfingsten becomes Producing Director. Operating scale today: 200+ performances and related events per year — serving 12,000+ patrons and 500+ artists annually.
Five decades, four leaders
The people who kept the doors open.
Four directors have led Theatre Project through fifty-five years. Each inherited a building, a mission, and a balance sheet — and handed something larger to the next person.
1992–2001
Robert Mrozek
Director
Brought solo performance and devised theatre to Baltimore. Karen Finley, Danny Hoch, David Drake, Squonk Opera all on his stage.
2001–2012
Anne Cantler Fulwiler
Director
Stewarded the financial stability, expanded community work, and led the organization to its 40th anniversary.
2012–Present
Chris Pfingsten
Producing Director
Scaled the operation to 200+ events per year and built out the current resident-artist roster.
The roll call
Artists who started here, played here, premiered here.
Some of these names you'll know. Some you'll know in five years. That's the whole idea.
Pilobolus Dance Theater·
Urban Bush Women·
Theatre X·
Karen Finley·
BREAD and Puppet Theatre·
Holly Hughes·
James Magruder·
Joyce J. Scott·
Danny Hoch·
Kathy Najimy & Mo Gaffney·
Daniel McIvor·
David Drake·
Squonk Opera·
da da kamera·
Alex and Olmsted·
Iron Crow Theatre·
Happenstance Theater·
Deep Vision Dance Company·
VTDance/Vincent E. Thomas·
High Zero Festival·
IN Series·
Peabody Chamber Opera
The space, in numbers
A historic building tuned for innovative work.
150
Seats
33'×35'
Sprung wood floor
20'
Original acoustic dome
ADA
Accessible since 1994
The next chapter is whatever you sit down for. Come help us write it.
See What's Next