Your voice matters. Stand up for the arts.

Alleyway Friends,

Last Friday, the federal administration sent notices withdrawing previously allocated funding to theatres across the country. The letter explained that their programming was no longer in line with the new priorities of the NEA (which now includes AI competency, empowering houses of worship, assisting with disaster recovery, and supporting the military).

At the same time, the currently proposed 2026 budget proposes a full elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

As Donald Trump, DOGE, and this current administration continue to ban diversity, equity, inclusion and access for all people, we believe the only way forward is precisely the opposite. Access to storytelling should be for everyone and embedded in our democratic values. Stories should be about everyone. Alleyway Theatre will continue to make that the heart of all we do.

While we do not currently receive federal funding and have made a conscious choice to avoid applying for it under the current terms and requirements, we fear this is just the beginning. State, county and local funding will be indirectly at risk, and your support of the arts is vital now more than ever.

Don’t let this administration silence our work.

Thank you, on behalf of our Board, Staff, Artists and Volunteers, who work hard every day for the future of the American theatre.

Chris J Handley
‍Executive Artistic Director

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