To present liberating art by, for, and about queer and trans people of color that transcends artistic boundaries, celebrates cultural abundance, and dismantles oppression.
---Our Values---
Our work provokes vibrant discussion about the realities of being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ or Queer). Through neighborhood social gatherings, workshops, performances and open discussions, the Theater Offensive transcends traditional theater boundaries and opens new avenues of understanding, awareness and inclusion.
---OUT In Your Neighborhood---
The approach we take to our programs and other work is called Out In Your Neighborhood or Out’Hood. We believe that empowering our community to have conversations about and work towards social change is essential for any change to happen! Our Out’Hood approach allows us to work hand-in-hand with our neighbors throughout Greater Boston. This approach is based on the concept of OUTness, being honest with yourself about who you are and sharing that openly with other people. While the term ‘OUT’ is most often associated with the LGBTQ movement for equal civil rights, the concept of OUTness resonates far beyond the LGBTQ community – especially in communities that face racism, poverty and violence. Through OUT'hood's lively public dialogues, neighbors are empowered to stay true to themselves, as well as create safer, more vibrant neighborhoods.
We serve our mission by creating and performing original and interactive work that we create with and share with our LGBT community.
All of our Out’Hood work (events, workshops, and shows) is grouped into four categories:
--Collective Creation: we work with our neighbors (of all ages 14 and up) to create original performances based on their personal experiences. Our residents share what they create to their peers with feedback sessions. Example: True Colors: Out Youth Theater.
--Neighborhood Productions: where well-known local and national artists use input from community members to create and develop their art and then present it back into the community. Example: River See in the Fall.
--Workshop Exchanges – Youth and adult activists bring OUT’Hood workshops to community-based organizations, events, and schools to create social change and movement. In some cases, organizations bring TTO workshops in exchange for bringing our work to them.
--Cultural Events – The neighborhoods we work in are rich with their own ongoing local and ethnic community events. We collaborate with groups in the community to help create a visible LGBT presence at festivals, community occasions, and celebrate diverse moments that deserve to be celebrated, e.g. dBar's musical theater night and Betances Festival Boriqua.
