Overview

The beginning of 2024 saw the Collective take on our most ambitious projects yet as BBRTC launched its Theatre Lab program officially in Jefferson County Schools. Starting with the Jefferson County Academy of Theatre and Dance (JCATD), then to Minor High School. In 2025 BBRTC will continue Theatre Lab at  Pleasant Grove High School and Fultondale High School! An essay on BBRTC’s summer Theatre Lab production of “Afro Tales” was also published in Alabama FolkLife Association’s “Tributaries”.

BBRTC also heavily invested into building capacity and resources for staff; we were invited back to the SouthEastern Theatre Conference in Mobile, AL; hosted a panel discussion with Tony Award-winner Corey Mitchell; we joined the CRAFT Institute’s “International Black Theatre Summit” as the Southern Regional Leader. BBRTC 2024 - 2025 programming prioritized awards, mutual aid, scholarships, philanthropic advocacy, professional development and facilitating spaces for community organizing all using theatre as a vehicle for liberation.  

Utilizing new funding streams from Cricket Island Foundation, BBRTC contracted its first full staff, and expanded its staff for the 2025-2026 year. The incoming Co-Artistic Directors engaged in a series of monthly leadership cohort meetings with Leadership Learning Collective as part of the Cricket Island Leadership Transition. Following leadership and cultural organizing training at Highlander, BBRTC Staff and the inaugural Youth Leadership Cohort began the summer Theatre Lab in partnership with The Modern Green Book at Creed 63 / Canvas on 5th. BBRTC wrapped the year with “The Power of Us,” partnering with Black Cherry Tree Project and Race Forward’s Cultural Week of Action.  

Learnings:

2024 was a year of learning to better hold creating transformative spaces that emphasize growth, collaboration, and engagement for our community. Central to this experience is the belief from one member that “every voice will be heard”, highlighting the importance of shared leadership.  Through BBRTC, members learn to be better collaborators, particularly within the African American and LGBTQ+ communities, while developing valuable organizational skills that enhance both their personal and creative practices.  Through our programming and organizational values, BBRTC encourages participants to embrace the joy of creativity, emphasizing that theater is ultimately about play and that “Communication and organization are key and that there are work spaces where you can find like minded individuals to collaborate with.” as one longtime Artistic Partner stated. Viewing challenges as opportunities for growth, all while creating a physically and mentally safe environment. 

Pain Points:

This year BBRTC staff faced several pain points that prompted us to consider how we can turn them into opportunities for growth. In addition to major obstacles that stem from this extremely violent time in our local community, statewide, and globally. A significant concern is the tendency to “overdo it” and work outside of capacity, leading to burnout and inefficiency. While there is a commitment to meeting deadlines, the team may benefit from recognizing that pushing through can often take more time than taking a break and regrouping. Shorter quarterly meetings and flexible office hours could help maintain focus and productivity without overwhelming members. Another concern given the incoming presidential administration BBRTC remains, hopeful but uncertain of the incoming expected shifts to the non-profit funding landscape.

Additionally, the leadership will consider addressing the “sense of urgency” that sometimes permeates the organization as a side effect of operating in the non-profit Industrial Complex, learning alternative methods to meet deliverables and commitments without undue pressure. Overall, while BBRTC has a strong foundation, being intentional about their processes and reducing unnecessary stressors will continue to create a grace centered collaborative environment.

Income Sources:

• Total grants: $124,500.00

• Total Donations: $4,370

Expenses:

• Programs: $40,327.00 (supplies, participant stipends, etc.) - 29.0%

• Admin/Ops: $29,631.00 (systems, supplies, fees) - 21.3%

• Staffing: $53,534.00 (program workers, consultants, creative, cast, TA’s) - 38.4%

• Development: $15,788.00 (travel, strategic planning, community outreach) - 11.3%

Profit & Loss (P&L) 

• Total Income: $139,549.00


• Total Expenses: $139,280.00


• Net Profit: $269.00 (to be spent down by 12/31)

Profit and Loss Statement: The Birmingham Black Repertory Theatre Collective had a total income of $139,549.00 and total expenses of $139,280.00, leaving a small surplus of $269.00. The primary income sources included program grants, donations, and development funding, while expenses were distributed across key operational areas.

The largest portion of the expenses was allocated to programs (32.7%), reflecting BBRTC's emphasis on holistic community-engaged performance art and culturally empowering artistic development. These programs serve as vital platforms for marginalized voices, fostering advocacy for racial, gender, and disability justice. Additionally, operational and administrative costs (23.2%) are essential for sustaining the infrastructure that supports BBRTC’s intergenerational collaboration and community engagement efforts. The investment in media and communications (5.5%) enhances outreach and visibility for the collective's work, promoting the impact of Black theatre in the region. 

Overall, BBRTC's financial management in 2024 indicates a stable fiscal position, with resources effectively contributing to its core strategies and advancing its mission of empowering marginalized artists and advocating for social justice in the arts. For detailed information here is a link to our 2024-2025 Organizational Budget.

BBRTC ORGANIZATION DEMOGRAPHIC BREAKDOWN: 

(includes Staff, Advisory Board, Teaching Artists, Artistic Partners, Contractors)

Birmingham Black Repertory Theatre Collective (BBRTC) has blossomed over the past five years, cultivating a thriving garden of creativity for Black, queer, and gender-expansive artists. This nurturing environment allows individuals to grow, connect, and find their voice in the world of theater.

Our membership reflects a broad spectrum of lived experiences while prioritizing Black queer youth in our organizational leadership positions. One of the students that participated in Theatre Lab expressed, “BBRTC has been a sanctuary where I could be unapologetically myself.” This sense of belonging is vital, as BBRTC provides a space where every artist can pollinate ideas and cultivate their talents together. The collective’s focus on supporting young artists creates a safe haven, allowing creativity to flourish without fear.

BBRTC is dedicated to fostering a space that is affirming and empowering for those living within the margins of the margins. By centering the voices of underrepresented groups and celebrating diversity in all its forms, we strive to build a future where everyone is seen, heard, and valued.

Closing

As 2023 came to a close at BBRTC, 2024 was difficult to imagine on the horizon. The transition required a deep sense of vulnerability, stripping down everything our organization knew to be true and turning each arising challenge into an opportunity. We questioned if those opportunities fell in alignment with our new values as we transitioned from founding leadership. As the year flew by, it became easier and easier to say “yes” or “no,” and with that power came a sense of deeply-rooted purpose. Because we know who we were yesterday, we integrate those lessons into today as we brace for tomorrow’s inevitable change. In a rapidly endangered Southern social and cultural landscape, the chopping block beckons collectivism, our key to liberation. Thank you for coming along with us (as fans, organizers, collaborators, community) for the ride as we shapeshift into 2025 and beyond in the only way Black Queer folks know how to do-bravely. As Zach Norris said, “Who keeps us safe? We keep us safe.” 
– Jada Cato & David H Parker

Gratitude to our individual donors, funders, and external systems of support including; Tonya Pinkins, Jamil Jude, Grace Edgar, Andrew Duxbury, The Bell Family, Verniss McFarland, Stephanie Rozell Yates and major funders Cricket Island Foundation, Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, Race Forward, Americans For The Arts,  the CRAFT Institute, Alabama Folk Life Association, and Queer Mobilization Fund.

The 2024-2025 Impact Report was prepared by Carlton V Bell II (they/them) and David H. Parker (they/them) with contributions & data from BBRTC Staff, 2024 Artistic Advisory Board Members, and Artistic Partners.