Bishop Arts Theatre Center (BATC) is an award-winning, multicultural, multidisciplinary arts institution with IRC 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt status. We are the recipients of the Dallas Business Journal inaugural 2021 Leaders In Diversity Award. Founded in September of 1993, our mission is to engage and cultivate a vibrant arts community by welcoming emerging artists and developing equitable, multigenerational programming for the community, where learning and social impact are invited and celebrated.
We offer a full season of theater performances, jazz concerts, a speaker series, and year-round arts education programs. We are a cultural oasis for the next generation of acclaimed writers, directors, performers, and arts administrators. Governed by twelve board members, we impact over 30,000 artists, art enthusiasts, and children each year via virtual and in-person seasonal performances and arts education programs.
Awards & Accomplishments
Dallas Business Journal Leaders in Diversity Award (2021)
Theatre Communications Group Peter Zeisler Memorial Award (2019)
Irma P. Hall Black Theatre Award – Best Choreography, Zebretta Johnson- Black Nativity by Langston Hughes (2018)
Irma P. Hall Black Theatre Award – Best Costume Design of a Musical, Tina Washington- Black Nativity by Langston Hughes (2018)
Irma P. Hall Black Theatre Award – Best Sound Design of a Play, David Lanza- Thurgood by George Stevens (2018)
National Guild for Community Arts Education Milestone Award (2018)
D-FW Theater Critics Forum – Outstanding New Play- In Tall Grass by Paul Kalburgi (2018)
Obelisk Award Winner – Visionary Nonprofit Arts Leader- Teresa Coleman Wash (2018)
Irma P. Hall Black Theatre Award Winner – Best Play, Bishop Arts Theatre Center – Ruined by Lynn Nottage (2017)
Irma P. Hall Black Theatre Award Winner – Best Director, Phyllis Cicero – Ruined by Lynn Nottage (2017)
Irma P. Hall Black Theatre Award Winner – Best Set Design, Rodney Dobbs – Ruined by Lynn Nottage (2017)
Irma P. Hall Black Theatre Award Winner – Featured Actress in a Play, Dominque Edwards – Ruined by Lynn Nottage (2017)
Irma P. Hall Black Theatre Award – Best Musical Director, Michael Hubbard Jr. – Black Nativity by Langston Hughes (2017)
Irma P. Hall Black Theatre Award – Featured Actress in a Musical, Kenja Brown – Black Nativity by Langston Hughes (2017)
Irma P. Hall Black Theatre Award – Lead Actress in a Musical, Angela Blair-Jeffries – Black Nativity by Langston Hugues (2017)
Irma P. Hall Black Theater Award – Best Lead Actress in a Play, Sherry Hurnes – The Face of Emmett Till by Mamie Till-Mobley and David Barr III (2016)
Irma P. Hall Black Theater Award – Best Lighting Design – Black Nativity by Langston Hughes (2015)
Theater Achievement Award, BroadwayWorld Dallas Regional Award (2014)- Miguel Hidalgo Award Nominee (2014)
Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce Event Of The Year – Jazz Series (2013)
D Magazine Best Performing Arts Venue Finalist (2013)
Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce President’s Award (2012)
D-Family Magazine Guide To The Best Performing Arts Camp (2011)
Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs Financial Excellence In The Arts Award (2007)
Innovator’s Award, Urban Theatre & Entertainment National Festival (2006)
Affiliations
- BATC is a proud member of the Professional Non-profit Theatre Coalition
- BATC is a proud member of the Theatre Communications Group.
- BATC is a proud member of the New Play Exchange.
- BATC is a proud member of the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce.
- BATC supports and is a proud member of the Dallas Area Cultural Advocacy Coalition.
- BATC is a proud member of Texans For The Arts.
- BATC proudly supports the Dramatists Guild of America.
Our Commitment
EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION STATEMENT
Bishop Arts Theatre Center (BATC) believes equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to honoring the unique identities and experiences of all individuals in fulfillment of our mission to cultivate a diverse and vibrant arts community.
We are mindful that not everyone has access to fully participate in the arts due to historical and current discrimination.
We welcome each individual as important contributors to our space.
We celebrate the many differences that each individual brings to our space.
We commit to working to counter oppression within the arts community by providing a space where all individuals may truly engage with BATC.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Defined:
Equity: The act of creating fairness by making sure everyone has what they need to participate in BATC, while being mindful of historic and present conditions. (Equity is working with everyone to shape the BATC space.)
Diversity: The act of valuing the psychological, physical, and social differences that exist among individuals, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, sex, nationality, age, economic status, sexual orientation, gender/gender identity, religion, and ability. (Diversity is welcoming everyone into the BATC space.)
Inclusion: The act of making sure all individuals and their contributions are valued as important. (Inclusion is inviting everyone to fully participate in the BATC space.)
SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY
BATC is committed to a safe environment for its board, staff, independent contractors, patrons, and participants of any kind from harassment including those of a suggestive nature. Sexual harassment, as declared by the Department of State, is against the law and will not be tolerated in or within the periphery of our theatre. Harassment of any kind is unwelcome and/or unwarranted advances of any suggestive, sexual or abusive behavior. Therefore, any credible reports of sexual harassment will be taken seriously and corrective actions will be immediately implemented to prevent its continuation, up to, and including, termination and a permanent ban from the Bishop Arts Theatre Center. No one will be victimized for making such complaints or reports.