ABOUT SUMMER BREAK THEATRE

OUR MISSION:

Summer Break Theatre aims to engage in events that serve the overworked and under-resourced Austin area teaching community. Through productions and events that provide creative outlets and celebrate their work, SBT helps foster the mental health of teachers while raising funds that support them both inside and outside the classroom.

OUR STORY:

Summer Break Theatre began as a simple focus: Teachers work hard, and we all know this.

We can sometimes take for granted, however, how much time educators from all disciplines focus on others throughout the year – from their students, to school functions and responsibilities, add that to trying to balance family and friends and it can become challenging for educators to find a creative outlet for themselves.

In the fall of 2018, a small group of Theatre Directors (and friends) began conversations with the goal to produce a play that consisted entirely of teachers in the cast/crew, since we had the time. From here, ideas were developed to form a collective, where all teachers were welcome to join in and express themselves creatively through performance. This company is not just for Theatre teachers! Any teachers can join us.

Hyde Park Theatre generously agreed to let us rent their space for the first, limited run and Texas premiere of Cul-de-Sac, by John Cariani. This piece is particularly timely and special. It is by the same critically acclaimed author of Almost, Maine; a terrific play widely produced with success by both high schools and middle schools and focuses on the trials of three very different suburban couples living in the same cul-de-sac; commenting on the sometimes shockingly accurate sense of how we grapple with our busy, overworked lives as spouses and parents- and a parallel to teaching life.

SBT has been honored to work with Hyde Park Theatre and The Stage Austin, expanding our audience base.

Thanks also to Max Langert and Cinnamon Path Theatre for production help and for being an SBT advocate! Scrappy and well-intentioned, Cinnamon Path Theatre likes site-specific work and does little things when they can.

Special Thanks also goes out to the following artists for their advocacy, work, mentorship, and inspiration: