This episode of Nonprofit Report features leadership team from the American Conservatory Theater (ACT), a mission-driven San Francisco institution focused on making live theater inclusive, accessible, and essential to civic life.
Guests:
Jennifer Bielstein, Executive Director
Pam MacKinnon, Artistic Director
Joaquín Torres, Board Chair
Interview by: Mark Oppenheim
Key Points:
- C.T. curates productions with universal themes and diverse perspectives to reach multicultural audiences and build community through shared experiences.
- The organization prioritizes inclusion, making its theater welcoming to people of all backgrounds.
- Programming choices reflect broad definitions of diversity—race, culture, aesthetic, and form and encourage audiences to reflect, be introspective and practice empathy.
- Through partnerships with schools and community groups, A.C.T. deepens engagement and fosters lifelong appreciation for theater.
- C.T.’s commissioning and artist residency programs center voices from the Bay Area and beyond.
- A robust conservatory program nurtures young talent and instills confidence, teamwork, and communication.
- Leadership emphasizes that revitalizing theater means reconnecting it to place, community, and civic identity.
Other Points on American Conservatory Theater:
American Conservatory Theater is reimagining what it means to belong in the theater. It invites audiences not just to observe but to participate—building connection through presence, emotion, and story.
Through diverse productions, A.C.T. bridges cultural specificity with universal meaning. Audiences might recognize themselves on stage or learn about others’ lives. Either way, the goal is empathy and understanding.
A.C.T. sees theater as essential to urban infrastructure. It enlivens neighborhoods, supports small businesses, and strengthens the social fabric of society. Great cities need great theaters—and A.C.T. leads by example in San Francisco.
With intentional programming, personalized outreach, and welcoming spaces, A.C.T. calls everyone to be a part of the show. Whether through laughter, silence, or applause, the community co-creates each performance.