On Tuesday, the AT&T Performing Arts Center (AT&T PAC) and Dallas Theater Center (DTC) announced exploratory plans to combine their organizations designed to strengthen the future of the performing arts in Dallas while preserving the artistic identities and missions of both. The Executive Committees of each met separately on Monday, July 27 and each voted to approve a Letter of Intent to proceed with the negotiatons.
At the core of this is a desire to create more programming, expanded education opportunities, perpetuate sustained support for local artists all to “ensure that Dallas continues to thrive as one of America’s great performing arts cities,” as stated in the press release.
“By coming together, we are able to achieve much more than either of us could do on our own,” said Kevin Moriarty, Dallas Theater Center Executive Director. “Not only will this innovative model benefit our audiences, artists, students and our city, it also strengthens and expands our combined ability to meet the opportunities and challenges of the future.”
Per its FAQ sheet, this shift has been underway for years, but now accelerated by COVID as well as the shrinking government support. Thus, the two organizations are looking to write its own future as one.
ATTPAC President and CEO Warrent Tranquada discussed how this model is a new frontier.
“The performing arts industry has been undergoing profound systemic change nationwide,” Tranquada said in today’s press release. “Stagnation is not an option. Two major Dallas institutions are coming together in a proactive way to write our future, creating a new artistic and business model that can set the stage for strength and sustainability in North Texas and beyond.”
According to the release, under a unified ATTPAC organization, led by Tranquada,
DTC will continue to produce theater under the new leadership of Enloe/Rose Artistic Director Jaime Castañeda. Castañeda was named the new AD of DTC in December and fully took on the role this month ahead of DTC’s upcoming new season.
All departments and employees of DTC will be part of the combined organization which will be led by Tranquada.
ATTPAC will continue presenting its slate of performances, touring Broadway shows and its Elevator Project series.
This alignment will bring a broader range of theatrical experiences, more ambitious productions and added opportunities for live performances.
“Dallas Theater Center will keep creating the bold, adventurous theatre that defines us
while expanding the kinds of stories we can tell, the artists we can collaborate with, and
the audiences we can serve,” said Castañeda.
Since ATTPAC’s opening in 2009, DTC has been one of its five resident companies with its home in the Wyly Theatre. After the approved merger, DTC will no longer be a resident company, but insted be the producing division of ATT PAC.
The company also still operates out of its other home at the Kalita Humphreys Theater in Uptown. According to the release, the venue will be operated by the combined single organization under its existing agreement with the City of Dallas. Under the merger, DTC’s finance, marketing, HR, fundraising and ticketing will fall under the ATTPAC umbrella.
DTC will continue its traditional Christmas Carol show, but it won’t continue with current Executive Director Kevin Moriarty after the transition.
From ATTPAC/DTC:
Kevin Moriarty will continue leading Dallas Theater Center through the transition and play a
significant role in the integration process. Once the merger integration is complete, he will conclude his tenure at DTC, with the unified organization led by AT&T Performing Arts Center President and CEO Warren Tranquada and Dallas Theater Center’s artistic work continuing under Enloe/Rose Artistic Director Jaime Castañeda.
So what about ATTPAC’s other resident companies such as The Dallas Opera and Texas Ballet Theater? ATTPAC/DTC stated that nothing will changed the relationships or its long-term contracts with its valued stakeholders but there are no plans to include other residents or organizations at this time.
Mayor Eric L. Johnson supports the proposed unification.
“The arts play a critical role in our city, especially in creating a vibrant downtown.”
Mayor Johnson stated in the release. “This is a bold step for these signature cultural institutions, one that distinguishes Dallas as a national change leader and helps ensure our Arts District continues to be an economic, cultural and tourism engine for Downtown.”
Priorities for this merger focus on education, local support and audiences.
Together, ATTPAC and DTC will build on programming, including student matinee performances, after-school/summer theater programs, backstage tech training, dance engagement, leadership training and community workshops all with the long-term goal of ensuring students in North Texas the experiences of live theater as part of their education.
To supports Dallas artists, DTC will remain a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) and produce theater with its Brierley Resident Acting Company. Opportunities for actors, directors, designers, playwrights, musicians, technicians and other creative
professionals are expected to increase. ATTPAC will keep providing resources for Dallas artists and cultural organizations through collaborative marketing, ticketing services, and
performance spaces.
For audiences, no interruption to performances, subscriptions, memberships or programming are expected during the transition. More ticketing options will become available such as creating personalized packages across multiple art forms, more flexible exchanges and new membership opportunities.
ATTPAC will continue its stewardship of the Moody Fund for the Arts which just awarded a
record $475,000 in grants to a record 70 small Dallas arts organizations. The Moody Fund for the Arts is a permanently restricted endowment funded in perpetuity for this purpose. The fund has supported a number of LGBTQ+ organizations with its grant awards.
Combining the two organizations is subject to approval of their individual boards. In the meantime, the two are in a period of due diligence. For the next few months, a deep-dive into finances, facts, risk evaluation, legal and other areas will be examined to help with an informed decision. This is expected to be completed early next year which is also the target for closing on the unification. As this finalizes, each board must vote to approve although it is already expected to go through per the press release.
A fundraising campaign will help cover the transition costs.
Today’s news adds to the flux the Dallas Arts District finds itself in recent months. This news comes days after Ahava Silkey-Jones was named he new Dallas Arts District executive director last week. Along with DTC, other arts organizations in the district have undergone a recent change in leadership such as The Dallas Opera and Dallas Black Dance Theatre.
Read more about the potential merger here.
–Rich Lopez
