Summary
Organization name
Second Thought Theatre
Causes
Arts & Humanities
Operating Budget
$250,000 - $499,999
Counties Served
Collin, Dallas, Denton
Address
3839 McKinney Avenue Ste. 155-452Dallas, TX 75204
Funding Opportunity
For 21 years, Second Thought has played a key role in shaping the theatre community of Dallas. Past investments have allowed us to produce compelling and meaningful performances, and we invite you to continue that support on North Texas Giving Day! Last year, your generous donations helped fund our most ambitious season to date - our 2025 Season of World Premieres by Local Dallas Writers!
We are always looking for ways to continue the artistic excellence you have come to know from us, whilst creating new and needed opportunities for unsupported local talent. Here is an exciting way you can contribute to our future:
• Cohort Double Header Showcase: Associate Director Program and Thought Process - To celebrate the incredible year-long work of our inaugural Associate Director Program and our 2nd-Year Thought Process Playwriting Program, Second Thought Theatre will host a week long Directing and Playwriting Showcase to debut the new works of our 8 playwriting cohort members directed by our 3 associate directors. Here is some info on our two programs!
Thought Process is a year-long, monthly meeting of local writers that provides a safe, low-stakes space for playwrights to interact with their peers, share pages from old, new or commissioned work, and most importantly: write!
Second Thought Theatre’s Associate Director Program is a year-long cohort aimed at providing professional development through education, exposure, and opportunity. Three early-career professionals will have the opportunity to assist on one production of our 2025 season, gain training and receive feedback from professional directors, and spend the year working on scene study with Artistic Director Carson McCain.
In December of 2025, Second Thought will host a number of public and private readings to allow our 8 playwrights to hear their words out-loud for the first time and allow for our 3 associate directors to use the skills they've garnered all year and direct 2-3 readings each! Gifts towards this Directing and Playwriting Showcase will fund space, rehearsals, and professional actors and dramaturgs to allow our playwrights to take their works to the next stage of development.
Thank you for the opportunity to share these important initiatives with you that will dramatically enhance the operations of our theatre. Your support will touch on every facet of what we do operationally, artistically, and administratively. We know there are many reputable institutions in which you can make a gift. Knowing this, we promise to be faithful stewards of your investment in us.
Mission
Second Thought Theatre provides and intimate and unique theatrical experience by empowering top local theater artists to take risks and by showcasing writers who boldly tackle the difficult and demanding questions of our rapidly changing world.
Needs
Funding for:
-Cohort Double Header End-of-Year Showcase: Associate Director Program and Thought Process
Equity Statement
SECOND THOUGHT THEATRE’S DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION MISSION
Theater is a communal experience. Artists meet audiences in a celebration of creativity,
expression, and life. This celebration is at its fullest when both the artists and the audience bring
with them their own unique and diverse backgrounds. Second Thought Theatre strongly believes
that it will create the best possible theater only when it operates with an eye toward ensuring that
everyone has an opportunity to participate, everyone is included, everyone feels welcome, and
everyone is represented.
As such, Second Thought actively seeks to create art that helps our community evolve towards
greater acceptance of those who are different than ourselves. By focusing on topics and works
that make you “think again,” Second Thought challenges its artists and audiences to recognize
and stand up against issues of inequality and injustice.
Through its equity initiatives, Second Thought will continue its focus on the greater Dallas
community and all of the things that make it unique, diverse, inclusive, and wonderful while
continuing to stand against elements of intolerance and injustice that threaten those that deserve
to be just as welcome to participate. Second Thought is committed to the following initiatives,
among others, that it believes will not only accomplish the above, but also enhance the theater
experience for its artists, staff, board, and audiences.
● Second Thought will prioritize empowering diverse perspectives in all aspects of our
organization including play selection, casting, staffing, and board recruitment.
● Second Thought will produce at least one BIPOC playwright and employ at least one
BIPOC director per year.
● Second Thought will dedicate itself to works that celebrate the human experience while
confronting uncomfortable issues that detract from it.
● Second Thought will seek out artists from a diverse set of backgrounds that will allow it
to tell honest stories in a way that bolsters inclusion and provides opportunities to all.
● Second Thought will support the local Dallas artist community - producing works by
local writers; engaging local actors, directors, and producers; contracting local designers.
● Second Thought will compensate its artists and staff fairly and equitably.
● Second Thought will make staffing and casting decisions in a manner that prioritizes the
contributions that the individual can make to the organization and does not discriminate
against anyone for any reason.
● Second Thought will reach out to underserved and under-represented communities and
provide opportunities to attend its performances without financial hardship.
● Second Thought will recruit members to its Board of Directors that believe in and work
to support its mission with the goal of having at least 20% of directors from communities
of color by 2025.
Media gallery
Organization Data
Dallas, TX 75204