Network Of Ensemble Theaters

A NATIONAL COALITION OF ENSEMBLES CREATED BY AND FOR ARTISTS, THE NETWORK OF ENSEMBLE THEATERS (NET) EXISTS TO PROPEL ENSEMBLE THEATER PRACTICE TO THE FOREFRONT OF CULTURE AND SOCIETY.

FIELD RESOURCES - NET PROMOTES THE RIGOROUS INVESTIGATION OF ENSEMBLE PRACTICE AND UPLIFTS COMMUNITY EXPERTISE. THROUGH FINANCIAL SUPPORT, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND RESOURCES THAT NURTURE THE FIELD, NET BUILDS CAPACITY, DISSEMINATES A BODY OF PEER-BASED KNOWLEDGE SHARING, AND SUSTAINS ENSEMBLE THEATERS AND PRACTITIONERS. THROUGH THE NET TRAVEL & EXCHANGE NETWORK (NET/TEN), NET PROVIDES GRANT SUPPORT TO MEMBER ARTISTS AND ORGANIZATIONS FOR ARTIST-TO-ARTIST EXCHANGES OF CREATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE PRACTICES, TRAINING, AND PERFORMANCES; THE PROGRAM BUILDS THE FIELDS ARTISTIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITIES, AND FURTHER CONNECTS ENSEMBLES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND ABROAD. THE ENSEMBLE/PLAYWRIGHT COLLABORATION GRANT PROGRAM, OPERATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PLAYWRIGHTS CENTER IN MINNEAPOLIS, AWARDS AN ANNUAL GRANT TO SUPPORT COLLABORATION BETWEEN AN ENSEMBLE AND A PLAYWRIGHT. ONLINE RESOURCES SHARED THROUGH NETS WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS INCLUDE A PEER-GENERATED SHAREBACK LIBRARY OF TIPS AND TOOLS, DISCUSSION FORUMS, POSTINGS OF FIELD OPPORTUNITIES (JOBS, GRANTS, RESIDENCIES, AUDITIONS, ETC.), AND OTHER WEB-BASED RESOURCES.

FIELD BUILDING PROGRAMS - NETS MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM BUILDS AND NURTURES THE ENSEMBLE ARTS FIELD THROUGH SERVICES AND SUPPORT TO MEMBERS, AND BY ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING A VISIBLE AND ACCESSIBLE NATIONAL ROSTER OF ENSEMBLE-FOCUSED PEERS FOR NETWORKING AND FIELD LEARNING. MEMBERSHIP IS AVAILABLE ON AN ANNUAL BASIS TO ENSEMBLE ORGANIZATIONS, ARTISTS, AND RELATED PRACTITIONERS THROUGH THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES: ENSEMBLES, AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS, INDIVIDUALS, AND STUDENTS. NET FURTHER ENGAGES WITH AND STRENGTHENS RELATIONSHIPS AMONG OUR COMMUNITY OF MEMBERS THROUGH ONLINE ACTIVITIES AND THROUGH LOCAL ORGANIZING IN CITIES WITH A DENSITY OF NET MEMBERS. THROUGH OUR ADVOCACY & CULTURAL POLICY EFFORTS, NET ORGANIZES AND PROMOTES ENSEMBLE PRACTICE AND ENSEMBLE THEATER-MAKING AS A DISTINCT ELEMENT OF THE UNITED STATES THEATER, AMPLIFYING ITS COLLECTIVE VOICE FOR LOCAL AND NATIONAL IMPACT. NET SERVES AS THE VOICE OF ENSEMBLE THEATERS AND CO-CREATORS IN CULTURAL POLICY DISCUSSIONS, AND AT CONVENINGS OF ARTISTS, PRACTITIONERS, EDUCATORS, FUNDERS, SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, AND AGENCIES NATIONALLY. CONNECTOR IS A PILOT PROGRAM BUILT AROUND A CUSTOMIZED MOBILE APP DESIGNED, DEVELOPED, AND BETA TESTED BY NET. FULLY LAUNCHING IN DECEMBER 2021, CONNECTOR SUPPORTS ARTIST-TO-ARTIST RESOURCE SHARING AND DIY TOURS/RESIDENCES BY MATCHING UP NET MEMBERS TO HOST EACH OTHER AS PEER ARTIST-PRESENTERS, MAKE CONNECTIONS, AND TRADE GOODS AND SERVICES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

FIELD GATHERINGS AND CONVENINGS - NET FULFILLS ITS FUNCTION AS A NETWORK BY ORGANIZING AND CONVENING THE FIELD THROUGH VARIOUS NATIONAL, REGIONAL, AND ONLINE EVENTS FOR NETWORKING, PEER-BASED LEARNING, AND DISCUSSION OF PRESSING FIELD ISSUES. AS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC CONTINUED DURING THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2021 AND AREAS OF THE COUNTRY EXPERIENCED UNEVEN VACCINATION, AID, AND RE-OPENING RATES, THE ORGANIZATION HELD A SERIES OF VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FORUMS AND TOWN HALL CONVERSATIONS TO FACILITATE RESOURCE-SHARING AND CONNECTION, IDENTIFY CRITICAL AREAS OF NEED, AND PROVIDE COMMUNITY CARE AND SUPPORT. ADDITIONALLY, NET OFFERED AN ONLINE SERIES CALLED INSPIRATION ON-DEMAND: CREATORS IN CONVERSATION IN CELEBRATION OF ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY, WHERE EACH MONTH, BOARD MEMBERS JOINED THEIR MENTORS AND OTHER ARTISTS THEY ADMIRE IN CONVERSATION.