Theatre Rhinoceros

==Theatre Rhinoceros== '''Theatre Rhinoceros''', also known as '''The Rhino''', is recognized as America's premier and longest-running queer theatre. Established in San Francisco in August 1977 by the late Allan B. Estes, Jr., the theatre has a storied history of presenting bold and innovative productions that emphasize the LGBTQ experience. The Rhino's mission is to foster a community of artists and supporters who develop and produce theatre that enlightens, challenges, and brings joy to diverse global audiences, with a focus on LGBTQ storytelling. ===Mission=== Theatre Rhinoceros is committed to developing a bold and inclusive community that encourages and empowers artists and patrons to advocate for a just, equitable, and inclusive world. The organization values equality, inclusion, acceptance, focus, discipline, professionalism, adaptability, storytelling, empathy, and joy in self-expression. ===Vision=== The vision of Theatre Rhinoceros is to harness the power of theater to inspire positive growth and social change, aiming for a world that fully embraces the diversity of humanity. ===Values=== The Rhino values the contributions of all artists and audiences, with a commitment to energetic and authentic expression for equality and inclusion. The theatre emphasizes the importance of acceptance, belonging, professionalism, adaptability, and the power of storytelling and empathy. ===History=== The Rhino's first production, ''The West Street Gang'' by Doric Wilson, was staged in a South of Market leather bar, The Black and Blue, and was successful enough to lead to the establishment of a permanent home for the theatre. Over the years, the theatre has been a platform for works by renowned playwrights such as Robert Patrick, Lanford Wilson, Terrence McNally, and Harvey Fierstein, as well as a host of San Francisco and lesbian writers. In 1984, following Estes' death from AIDS, Theatre Rhinoceros gained national attention with ''The AIDS Show: Artists Involved with Death and Survival'', the first theatre production in the nation to address the AIDS epidemic. The play was later the subject of a PBS documentary and received significant accolades. Under various artistic directors, the Rhino has continued to flourish, showcasing diverse works and forming partnerships with numerous cultural groups. The theatre has been recognized by local and state governments for its contributions to the arts and LGBTQ community. In recent years, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Fisher, the Rhino has maintained high-quality and intellectually challenging productions, with several plays presented in New York City as part of the New York International Fringe Festival. The theatre has also co-produced with other prestigious companies, such as the American Conservatory Theatre. In 2017, Theatre Rhinoceros celebrated its 40th anniversary, and in 2019, it was honored with a position in the Resist Contingent of the San Francisco Pride Parade. The Rhino continues to produce shows at its current location in the heart of Castro, San Francisco, and remains a beacon of queer theatre and activism. ==External Links== * [http://www.therhino.org Official Website] [[Category:Theatre companies in San Francisco]] [[Category:LGBT theatre]]