SheLA Production Photos by Sophia Goodin
ABOUT
WE’RE A FEMME-LED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT FIGHTS FOR GENDER EQUITY IN THE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY.
We focus most of our support on the original creators — playwrights, composers, and producers — to get more women, trans, and non-binary people in these roles that decide which stories get told on stage and screen.
OUR STATEMENT ON THE CONNELLY THEATER LOSS
WE’RE LOSING OUR HOME OF 8 YEARS, THE CONNELLY THEATER, BECAUSE THEIR LANDLORD DOESN’T WANT SHOWS ABOUT REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND GENDER DIVERSITY IN THE THEATER.
It’s a total shock that somehow, strict conservative ideals are dictating what can happen in a New York City theater, and we’re heartbroken by this development.
We’re not going to lie – this puts us in a tough spot for our 2025 season, which is also our 10-year anniversary.
THE BACKGROUND
The Connelly Theater’s building is owned by the Archdiocese of New York, and recently, there’s been a change in leadership at the Archdiocese office that oversees the building.
This new leadership says that the Connelly Theater must enforce strict content rules in the shows that take place there – nothing that the Catholic Church would deem inappropriate can be performed at the Connelly, and the priest in charge is personally screening scripts to ensure that they comply.
THE CONTEXT
We’ve been told that plays about gender, sexuality, and especially reproductive rights (with the church specifically calling out shows we’ve done in the past at the theater) will not be approved going forward, and are considered “not appropriate” for the venue.
Our contract will only be renewed for 2025 if we only select shows that avoid these topics – topics that are so important to our artists, audience, and mission. This makes it impossible to produce the SheNYC Festival at the Connelly in alignment with our mission and values.
THE IMPACT
We’re now in a tight spot, trying to find a new theater to house our 2025 Festival, and it’s likely to be way more expensive than what we’ve got the budget for, as we had a generous rate with the Connelly. Our 2025 budget was already stretched thin due to the addition of new programs for our 10-year anniversary, and we expect this change to put us in a deficit.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Donating to help us fund a new theater is the most wonderful gift anyone could give us right now. We are working hard behind the scenes to make sure that our 2025 season can go off as planned, and any amount you can donate would help immensely.
INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? GET IN TOUCH AT [email protected].
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SCRIPT SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN!
SUBMIT YOUR FULL-LENGTH PLAY OR MUSICAL TO OUR 2025 FESTIVALS IN LOS ANGELES, NEW YORK CITY, ATLANTA, AND DALLAS-FORT WORTH THROUGH NOVEMBER 11 AT 11:59PM PT.
ON NEXT: FALL CLASS SERIES
JUST ANNOUNCED:
WE’RE LAUNCHING A LICENSING WING!
Now, select Festival shows are available for YOU to license for your local production, anywhere in the U.S.
meet our programs across the u.s.
LEARN MORE: THE SHE DFW THEATER FESTIVAL IN DALLAS
The SheDFW Theater Festival presents 3-4 shows in Dallas-Fort Worth annually.
LEARN MORE: THE SHE NYC THEATER FESTIVAL
The SheNYC Summer Theater Festival presents 8 full-length plays & musicals in the off-Broadway Connelly Theater in July & August.
LEARN MORE: THE SHE ATL THEATER FESTIVAL IN ATLANTA
The SheATL Theater Festival produces 4 plays by Georgia-based playwrights each year.
LEARN MORE: THE SHE LA THEATER FESTIVAL IN LOS ANGELES
Each year, SheLA presents 5 shows by West Coast artists in Hollywood’s Zephyr Theatre.
LEARN MORE: THE SHE ATL THEATER FESTIVAL IN ATLANTA
The SheATL Theater Festival produces 4 plays by Georgia-based playwrights each year.
LEARN MORE: THE SHE LA THEATER FESTIVAL IN LOS ANGELES
Each year, SheLA presents 5 shows by West Coast artists in Hollywood’s Zephyr Theatre.
NEW PAGES:
the she nyc arts printing press
NEW PAGES FEATURES THE WORKS OF OUR PAST FESTIVAL PLAYWRIGHTS, IN SOFTCOVER BOOKS THAT YOU CAN PURCHASE WHEN YOU NEED NEW MATERIAL FOR YOUR SCENE STUDY CLASSES AND AUDITIONS, OR IN LICENSING FORMAT FOR A PRODUCTION AT YOUR LOCAL THEATER.
Proceeds are split between SheNYC and the playwrights in the anthology, so you’re supporting gender equity in the arts AND new playwrights at the same time!
If you’re interested in licensing one of the plays featured in the anthology, email [email protected].
SHE NYC MERCH
SUPPORT GENDER EQUITY IN THE ARTS IN STYLE – GET OUR MUGS, T-SHIRTS, AND HOODIES TODAY.
SHE NYC ARTS FEATURED IN FORBES MAGAZINE
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR DANIELLE DEMATTEO AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER ARI CONTE NAMED “WOMEN TO WATCH ON BROADWAY”
get a behind-the-scenes look at all of our programs by following them on Instagram!
@SheLAArts | @SheNYCArts | @Createher.nyc | @SheATLArts | @She.DFW.Arts