Central Square Theater

Central Square Theater (CST) explores social justice, science and gender politics through theater. Combining artistic excellence, cross disciplinary collaboration and community engagement, CST creates theater where points of view are heard, perspective shifts, and change can happen.

Central Square Theater, the oldest female-led theater organization in Greater Boston, is now one organization upholding the values and theatrical excellence of its origin companies, Underground Railway Theater and The Nora. Under the leadership of Executive Director Catherine Carr Kelly, Artistic Director Lee Mikeska Gardner, Director of Education and Community Initiatives Kortney Adams, and its Board of Directors, CST is an innovator in the nonprofit arts field in collaborative leadership. The model will be expanded and a national search is currently underway for a Co-Artistic Director to join Gardner in leadership.

Central Square Theater engages over 35,000 people annually through live performance, rigorous youth education, and community programs. CST works closely with MIT on Catalyst Collaborative@MIT (CC@MIT), one of the only nationwide partnerships between a world class research institute and a professional theater. CC@MIT creates and presents plays that deepen public engagement with science, while providing creative and emotional experiences not available in other forms of dialogue about science.

Central Square Theater’s education programs serve youth throughout Cambridge and Greater Boston via in-school residencies, onsite programs, and collaborations with community partners. Youth Underground (YU), CST’s award winning youth development program, provides a platform for members to broaden their own perspectives and understand others’, and to come to a deeper understanding of self as they cultivate their artistry. YU members define themselves as change agents and emerging opinion leaders, in their neighborhoods and beyond. This year, YU is partnering with Lemelson-MIT to create and perform a new play aimed at diversifying the next generation of youth inventors.

Central Square Theater Values

Bold Stories and Conversations

We embrace the power of theater to illuminate the full spectrum of human experience. We boldly tell stories that connect us, inspire joy, and give us the courage to build a better world.

Vital and Relevant

Our productions and programs are in service to and in partnership with our community–our artists, staff, youth, patrons, donors, neighbors, and partner organizations. We create art that reflects the important issues of our time, encourages shifting perspectives, and educates and empowers community members to embrace change.

Anti-Racist and Inclusive

We commit to being anti-racist and inclusive, and to dismantling barriers related to (but not limited to) ethnicity, nationality, religion, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, and socioeconomic status. We understand that perfection is not possible and we will make mistakes. We are dedicated to continuous learning and improvement.

Integrity

We actively build an environment of trust and transparency. We are clear about our values, and take responsibility for living them. We invite our community members to join in holding us accountable.