WaterTower Theatre

WaterTower Theatre (WTT) is a prominent professional theatre company and a leading arts institution in North Texas. Established in 1996, WTT has become an integral part of the cultural landscape, known for its significant role in nurturing new talent, developing original works, and fostering the growth of the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) artistic community. The company's commitment to local artists is evident through its consistent practice of hiring within the region. The origins of WaterTower Theatre can be traced back to the Addison Community Theater (ACT) of the 1970s, which initially performed at the Old Stone Cottage, a historical building from the 1930s that remains near WTT's current venue. The Addison Theatre Centre, which opened in 1992, is now the home of WaterTower Theatre. This award-winning facility spans 32,000 square feet and includes a Main Stage, a flexible black box space with seating for approximately 200, and a smaller Studio Theatre. In addition to hosting performances, the Addison Theatre Centre accommodates WTT's administrative, artistic, and production offices. WaterTower Theatre's artistic vision and community service have fostered a unique partnership with the Town of Addison, enhancing the town's appeal as a destination for both residents and visitors seeking high-quality theatrical arts. The theatre has built a reputation for producing new works and has received numerous accolades over the years. Its dedication to originality is showcased by a history of world premieres, including notable productions such as "Song of Motherhood" (1998), "Blind Lemon: Prince of Country Blues" (2001), "Creep" (2015), and "Bread" (2018), among others. WTT also hosted the Out of the Loop Festival from 2002 to 2016 and launched DETOUR: a Festival of New Work in 2018. By the end of the 2018-2019 season, WaterTower Theatre had produced 176 plays and musicals, featuring 9 World Premieres and 39 Regional Premieres. The company's artistic leadership has evolved over the years, with Terry Martin serving as the artistic director from 1999 to 2016, followed by Joanie Schultz from January 2017 to December 2018. In March 2019, Shane Peterman took on the role of Producing Artistic Director. WaterTower Theatre has been a springboard for many actors who have gone on to achieve success on Broadway, national tours, as well as in film and television. Notable alumni include Major Attaway, John Campione, Anthony Fortino, Brian Gonzales, Clinton Greenspan, Traci Lee, Liz Mikel, Cedric Neal, Stacey Oristano, and Akron Watson. The theatre has also been a creative home for local artists such as Patty Breckenridge, Clare Floyd Devries, Pam Dougherty, Gary Lynn Floyd, Kyle Igneczi, Denise Lee, Walter Lee, René Moreno, Calvin Scott Roberts, Emily Scott Banks, Diana Sheehan, and Garret Storms. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, WaterTower Theatre operates under an SPT6 license with Actors’ Equity Association, underscoring its professional status and commitment to quality. The theatre's mission is to produce innovative and diverse theatre that fosters community through empathy and dialogue. Its vision extends to connecting Addison to the world and bringing the world to Addison by developing and presenting theatre that is artistically vital both locally and beyond. WaterTower Theatre's core values include diversity and inclusivity, community and connectivity, innovation, and honesty and integrity, ensuring that each production offers a new perspective, genre, or experience to its audience. For those interested in experiencing the work of WaterTower Theatre, the company invites audiences to see its performances on stage, where the dedication to artistry and community engagement comes to life.