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Our Values

Our Mission

Long Wharf Theatre is dedicated to producing boundary-breaking theatre with and for its many, kaleidoscopic communities.

Our Vision

Theatre for everyone.

Our Core Pillars

Building on our rich history of artistic excellence and community engagement, our core values are the driving force behind everything we do. They reflect our commitment to pushing boundaries, fostering collaboration, and creating theatre that is accessible and meaningful. Explore how Artistic Innovation, Kaleidoscopic Partnerships, and Radical Inclusion guide our work and help us connect with diverse audiences, shaping the future of theatre and reinforcing our mission to make a lasting impact on our community.

We are committed to shaping the future of theatre through bold, original work and creative risk-taking. Our stage is a laboratory for new ideas, where emerging and established playwrights can explore, experiment, and push the boundaries of storytelling. By continually challenging conventions, we strive to create theatre that resonates with contemporary audiences and inspires future generations.

Collaboration is at the heart of what we do. We believe that the most powerful theatre is created through partnerships that reflect the diversity of our world. We engage with artists, communities, and organizations from a variety of backgrounds to bring a wide range of perspectives to our work. These dynamic partnerships enrich our productions and help us build a theatre that is inclusive and representative of all voices.

Theatre is for everyone, and we are dedicated to ensuring that our work is accessible and welcoming to all. Radical Inclusion is about more than representation; it’s about creating spaces where every individual feels seen, heard, and valued. We actively seek to dismantle barriers and invite diverse audiences to engage with our productions in meaningful ways.

How We Live Our Values

Artistic Innovation: At Long Wharf Theatre, our commitment to Artistic Innovation is exemplified by our recent production of A View from the Bridge, staged uniquely at the Canal Dock Boat House. This innovative approach earned us three Connecticut Critics Circle Awards and showcased our dedication to reimagining traditional venues to enhance storytelling. By carefully selecting the right venue and community to tell each story, we ensure that our productions are not only visually and thematically compelling but also deeply connected to their surroundings.

Kaleidoscopic Partnerships: Our dedication to Kaleidoscopic Partnerships is highlighted by our collaboration with Southern Connecticut State University. This partnership includes paid internships, an apprentice program, and hands-on opportunities for students to engage with professional productions, fostering the next generation of theatre artists. Additionally, our recent collaboration with Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company to host the national tour of Amm(I)gone brought a new work by a Muslim queer playwright to New Haven, exemplifying our commitment to diverse and dynamic artistic exchanges.

Radical Inclusion: Long Wharf Theatre’s commitment to Radical Inclusion is evident through our accessible ticketing initiatives. We offer free tickets for K-12 students, $10 tickets for college students, and "pay-what-you-can" performances to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to experience our work. Our dedication to inclusivity extends to special initiatives like our Under 40 performances, designed in partnership with THe Breed Entertainment to engage younger audiences, and our collaboration with the New Haven Free Public Library branches to provide free tickets, making theatre accessible to all members of our community.