Boise Contemporary Theater

Boise Contemporary Theater (BCT) is a professional theater company located in Boise, Idaho, dedicated to the production of new and thought-provoking works. Established in 1997, BCT holds the distinction of being the only nonprofit professional theater within a 300-mile radius that is committed to presenting challenging new plays. Over the years, BCT has garnered recognition for its contributions to the arts, including the Mayor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, the National Theater Company Award from the American Theater Wing on two occasions, and the designation as the 2022-23 City of Boise Cultural Ambassador. Throughout its first 25 seasons, BCT has staged over 90 MainStage productions, with a notable 25 of these being world premieres. One such premiere, Eric Coble’s "The Velocity of Autumn," went on to be produced on Broadway, showcasing the theater's role as an incubator for significant theatrical works. BCT's MainStage season consists of five productions, which attract more than 12,000 visitors annually. In addition to its MainStage offerings, BCT hosts a variety of other events, including reading series for both adults and children, which focus on new and bold works, and the BIPOC Playwrights Festival, inaugurated in 2021 to highlight diverse voices in theater. Education is a key component of BCT's mission, with its A.C.T. at BCT program reaching over 2,000 students through both onsite and outreach initiatives. These Theater Lab programs empower students to create and perform their own original productions, fostering creativity and self-expression. BCT has made concerted efforts to extend its educational outreach to underserved schools, benefiting students who are low-income, at-risk, or refugees. BCT operates out of an intimate black box theater with a seating capacity of 231, located in the historic BODO District of downtown Boise. This area serves as the cultural heart of the city, and BCT's venue is a central part of this vibrant community. The theater collaborates with various local arts organizations, such as The Morrison Center for the Performing Arts, Opera Idaho, Idaho Botanical Garden, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, and Treefort Music Fest, further cementing its role as a cultural hub. The mission of Boise Contemporary Theater is to inspire the community to reflect on different perspectives and foster a better understanding of oneself, others, and the world through the power of storytelling. BCT envisions itself as a prime destination for transformational experiences and aims to be recognized as an indispensable contributor to the arts and culture in Boise and beyond. The culture at BCT is built on values of collaboration, respect, challenge, gratitude, and celebration, which are reflected in every aspect of its operations, from artistic endeavors to audience engagement and community relations.