2026 State of the Theatre Update

State of the Theater: Looking Ahead to Our 49th Season 

As we embark on our 49th season at Company OnStage, we are filled with gratitude, excitement, and optimism for the future. For nearly five decades, our mission has remained the same: to keep the arts accessible and affordable for our community and to provide professional-quality theatrical experiences for audiences of all ages. 

As we reflect on the successes of the past year and celebrate the opening of a new season, we’re proud of the progress we’ve made and energized by the opportunities that lie ahead. 

Celebrating a Remarkable Year 

The past year was one of growth, innovation, and community engagement. Among our proudest accomplishments was the introduction of Library Days, which provided one free performance of each production in our Young Audience Series. This initiative helped remove barriers to participation and allowed even more families and young people to experience the magic of live theater. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and we’re thrilled to continue Library Days throughout our 49th season. 

Our commitment to arts education was also on full display through a successful Summer Camp Program, which welcomed young performers and helped cultivate the next generation of theater artists. The enthusiasm, creativity, and confidence demonstrated by our campers reinforced the importance of providing meaningful arts experiences for our youth. Building on that success, we are excited to launch our first Winter Mini Camps this December, creating even more opportunities for children and families to engage with the performing arts year-round. 

Another highlight was our annual Season Announcement Event, A Taste of the Season, which brought together patrons, artists, volunteers, and supporters to celebrate our upcoming productions. The enthusiasm surrounding the event made it one of our most successful announcements to date and demonstrated the strong connection our community feels to Company OnStage. 

Strengthening Our Foundation 

The continued support of our sponsors and donors has been instrumental in our success. Over the past year, we have welcomed several new corporate sponsors and individual donors into the Company OnStage family while also increasing support from many of our existing partners. 

These investments not only help sustain our productions but also allow us to expand programming, support arts education, and keep ticket prices affordable. We are deeply grateful for the confidence our sponsors place in our mission and our vision for the future. 

An Exciting Opening to Season 49 

We opened this season with a milestone achievement: the world premiere of We Only Come Out at Night, written by Houston playwright Austin Brady. Supporting local artists and amplifying new voices remains an important part of our commitment to the arts, and we were honored to bring this original work to the stage. 

We also proudly presented our second bilingual production, Maricela de la Luz Lights the World by José Rivera. Productions like this help us reach broader audiences and ensure that more members of our community see themselves reflected in the stories we tell. As Houston continues to grow and evolve, so too does our commitment to creating theater that is welcoming, inclusive, and representative of the people we serve. 

Looking Toward the Future 

As we move through this season, our focus remains on expanding access to the arts, strengthening community connections, and building organizational sustainability. 

One area where we hope to grow is volunteer engagement. Theater is truly a collaborative art form, and so much of what happens on and off the stage is made possible by dedicated volunteers. Whether your interests are in production, fundraising, marketing, education, hospitality, audience development, or community outreach, there is a place for you at Company OnStage. 

We are also looking to expand participation on our committees and invite supporters to become more actively involved in shaping the future of the organization. Committee service is a rewarding way to contribute your expertise, collaborate with fellow arts advocates, and help ensure that Company OnStage remains a vibrant cultural resource for our community. 

A Standing Ovation for Our Community 

None of our accomplishments would be possible without the artists, volunteers, sponsors, donors, patrons, and supporters who believe in our mission. Every ticket purchased, every volunteer hour given, and every contribution made helps keep live theater accessible and affordable for our community. 

As we begin our 49th season, we celebrate not only what we’ve achieved, but also what we can accomplish together. The stage is set for another incredible year, and we invite you to join us, whether in the audience, on stage, behind the scenes, or as a member of one of our committees. 

The excitement doesn’t stop with the productions already announced. We have several exciting initiatives, events, and opportunities on the horizon that we can’t wait to share with you in the coming months. Be sure to follow Company OnStage on social media and subscribe to our communications to stay up to date on the latest news and announcements. 

As we continue our mission of making the arts accessible and affordable for everyone, we look forward to welcoming familiar faces and meeting new ones. Thank you for being part of the Company OnStage family. 

Season Tickets and Individual Tickets for all productions are available for sale at www.companyonstage.org. We look forward to seeing you in the audience again soon. Here’s to a successful 49th season and an exciting future ahead.