Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Burkhart, Founder and President of Upright Theatre Company in Euless, TX. Her and her team share their story with us below:
Upright Theatre Company is a woman-led, tax-exempt 501c3 nonprofit. It was founded in 2020 by Natalie Burkhart, Megan Guerra, Abigail Oxley, and Jennifer Leyva, along with board member Noël Clark, with the goal of providing high-quality artistic and educational programming for the community. Upright Theatre Company promotes artistic excellence in the performing arts, along with education and outreach opportunities that work to provide public access to the arts and arts education.
Upright Theatre Company started out with a few volunteers teaching virtual classes but has since grown and expanded into a brand-new studio and performance space in Euless, TX, offering a full list of productions and classes. As it grows its base of supporters, Upright Theatre Company has been able to implement live theatre productions, in-person classes, arts enrichment programming, and more through its network of artists, instructors, volunteers, and supporters.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There are always obstacles to face when starting a nonprofit theatre company but starting one in the middle of a pandemic definitely presented some challenges. At the time, live theatre had been shuttered and houses were dark, so planning became very difficult. We weren’t sure how to estimate budgets when we didn’t even know when it would be safe for actors to come back on stage together, or when audiences would even feel comfortable gathering again. We decided to take a very conservative approach to season planning. We found a small studio space that would work for rehearsals, classes, and small performances, and moved in at the beginning of 2021. We began by offering private lessons in the space and then opened in-person classes at a limited capacity in April. By the beginning of the summer, Covid-19 cases started to drop, so we were able to start live performances with small casts, masks, and heightened safety precautions. However, when the Delta variant arrived and cases started to climb again, we had to start making some tough choices, like postponing our large-cast production of Beauty and the Beast to 2022. We have learned through all this that everything is fluid, and you must be able to go with the flow and adapt plans as needed.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Upright Theatre Company is dedicated to promoting awareness of the arts and engaging community participation and support of the arts. We present an annual season of classic and contemporary plays and musicals for adults, along with several children’s shows where young artists can shine in a production with their peers. Upright Theatre Company also provides a full schedule of classes for youth and adults in acting, dance, voice, and musical theatre.
At Upright Theatre Company, we understand the profound effect that the arts can have on an individual. Our goal is to enrich the lives of our students, supporters, and guests by encouraging empathy, compassion, creative thinking, and self-esteem. For us, theatre is all about community. We are always working to provide opportunities for everyone because in the theatre, everyone is welcome.
Upright Theatre Company’s mission is to elevate the culture of our community by presenting classic and contemporary works that challenge thought, inspire empathy, and enhance personal growth; to provide a safe, nurturing, and professional educational experience for emerging artists; to promote the talents of our diverse community by collaborating with local businesses, showcasing local artists and cultivating the arts for local families.
Upright Theatre Company’s Core Values are:
Artistic Excellence – We empower artists to use creativity, passion, boldness, empathy, and innovation to create works and educational opportunities of outstanding artistic value.
Community – We are a product of our diverse community, and therefore strive to cultivate a spirit of belonging through inclusiveness and collaboration.
Outreach – We aim to make a difference in our community by pursuing opportunities that provide public access to the arts and performing arts education.
Professionalism – We pride ourselves in conducting business in an honest, ethical way. We value integrity and hold ourselves accountable for our financial responsibility.
Service – We go above and beyond for our family of supporters through excellent guest service and hospitality. We pride ourselves in making the Upright experience special for each person that we work with.
Teamwork – We foster a collaborative environment that encourages communication, cooperation, kindness, and respect. We appreciate the individuality of each team member and prize the contribution they bring to the collective work.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
“Growing up, I was always putting on some sort of show, so it was no surprise when theatre became my passion. I always knew that one day I wanted to start a theatre company, and am excited about this new chapter in my life where I get to work with four amazing women who share the same passion for it that I do.” – Natalie Burkhart, Co-Founder, and Producing Artistic Director
Contact Info:
- Email: info@uprighttheatre.org
- Website: www.uprighttheatre.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uprighttheatreco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uprighttheatreco
Image Credits
Kortney Scott
Everett Shirey
Devin Berry
