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
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING STATEMENT
BATC provides equal access to opportunities and does not give special advantages to one person or group over another. BATC promotes equity by making programming accessible to all through scholarships, discounted ticket prices for students, free parking and discounted office space for artists, social impact agencies and nonprofits. Additionally, performances and programs are specifically designed to be a safe place of belonging and community for historically underrepresented communities. BATC’s staff is representative of its constituency and committed to fostering a safe and inclusive space to work, learn, perform and build community. The seven-person staff identifies as 43 percent male and 57 percent female. Furthermore, 57 percent are Black/African American, 29 percent are Hispanic/LatinX and 14 percent are white. Staff undergo annual training on belonging, inclusion and access in the workplace.
The 13-member BATC board of directors is a dedicated and diverse group of individuals who are passionate about accessible fine arts programming. The board is 56 percent Black/African American and 44 percent white, with 44 percent identifying as female and 56 percent identifying as male. An equity practitioner sits on the board and donates her time to provide biannual workshops to the entire board. BATC is committed to including former clients, industry experts, and individuals residing in southern Dallas who share lived experiences with BATC’s constituents in its outreach for new board candidates as positions become available. BATC has a board matrix to inform the range of experience, age, identity and background in its board recruitment efforts.
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.