By LCT Staff
American Legacy Theatre is theatre for social change. For 10 years, artists, audiences, students, partners, and supporters have come together to create theatre that sparks conversation, builds empathy, and amplifies voices.
Their values are simple: Invite, Innovate, Invigorate.
ALT invites all people into a safe space to explore expression, belonging, and creativity in ways that strengthen community. They innovate by reimagining what a theatrical experience can be in the 21st century and how that shared experience can enrich society. Focused on positive change in the community, they seek to invigorate audiences through the arts and connect people to something larger than themselves. Their goal is to demonstrate the value of theatre as a place where communities can exchange ideas, explore challenges, and discover what makes them whole.
One of the strongest programs I have witnessed is Playwrights for Change. Through this two-year residency, a professional playwright develops a new work from the ground up. What is troubling the community now? Whose voice is not being heard? The playwright researches, writes, gathers feedback, and ultimately delivers a finished piece—one that can inspire dialogue locally while also finding life beyond Cincinnati. Bridge City by Kennen Butler which debuted this Spring is a perfect example.
Matthew David Gellin, Executive Artistic Director and CEO
Led by the dynamic Matthew David Gellin, ALT is not afraid to shake things up. Gellin believes the traditional 19th-century audience model must evolve if theatre hopes to attract new audiences. ALT is building the 21st century model in real time; professional theatre rooted in community, access as a right, and experiences shaped by audiences.
Building stronger connections between theatre artists and the community is another of Gellin’s priorities. Currently, they have a nomadic model, which has worked for them as they have been building, but they are considering a more permanent home in the future. Being nomadic has allowed them access into various communities, reading the rhythm of each distinct neighborhood.
ALT encourages collaboration among artists and arts organizations, celebrating one another’s successes. LCT member theatres are not simply dividing a single pie, he believes—they should be working together to bring more people to the table. That philosophy has helped shape ALT’s first decade and will likely continue to guide its future.
As ALT enters its second decade, the company will build on its mission of using theatre as a catalyst for conversation and change. New productions are on the horizon, and other work is touring. This summer’s See Me, Hear Me: Cyberbullying will carry its stories to communities throughout the region. If the first ten years are any indication, ALT will continue challenging audiences, fostering connections, and proving that theatre can be a powerful force for social impact.
Happy Anniversary, ALT! Read more about their past and their mission on their website.
