BCBoise Contemporary Theater Inc
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About Boise Contemporary Theater Inc
Boise Contemporary Theater has been bringing professional contemporary theater to Boise since 1997, with a five-show MainStage season, reading series, and education programs that reach audiences, students, families, and artists of all ages. It also gives space to new voices through the BIPOC Playwrights Festival and new-play development work that helps scripts move from workshop to production. If you care about theater that asks real questions and stays close to the community, BCT gives you a lot to root for.
BCT is the only nonprofit professional theater within 300 miles dedicated to producing challenging new work. What sets it apart is how directly that work moves through the organization, from readings and workshops to MainStage productions, while also training young people and adults in the same building.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
MainStage season
A five-production professional theater season featuring contemporary plays and musicals.
5X5 Reading Series
A reading series that presents new plays straight from the page and road-tests future productions.
Children’s Reading Series
A reading series that presents contemporary children’s theater in a creative setting for all ages.
Summer Reading Series
Outdoor summer readings of new works in Boise-area settings.
BIPOC Playwrights Festival
An annual festival that champions emerging and mid-career playwrights from marginalized communities through workshops, panels, and staged readings.
Theater Lab
An education program where students conceive, write, produce, and perform original productions.
A.C.T. at BCT adult classes
Year-round adult acting, playwriting, and movement classes for adult artists of all levels.
Youth classes
Classes for children and teens, including playwriting and acting workshops.
Outreach theater training
Professional theater training brought to youth programs and schools throughout the Treasure Valley.
About this work
Mission
Boise Contemporary Theater inspires our community to examine our perspectives and better understand ourselves, each other, and the world around us by creating thought-provoking stories of the human experience.
Who they serve
Boise and Treasure Valley audiences, students, families, and artists of all ages, including emerging and mid-career playwrights from marginalized communities.
Their impact
- In its first 25 seasons, BCT presented over 90 MainStage productions, including 25 world premieres.
- A full season brings more than 16,000 people to BCT across MainStage productions, reading series, Theater Lab programs, the Children’s Reading Series, the BIPOC Playwrights Festival, and special events.
- BCT serves over 2,000 students through onsite and outreach Theater Lab programs.
- BCT has presented over 100 MainStage productions, including more than 25 world premieres.
How your donation helps
- MainStage productions
- reading series
- special events
- youth programs
- education programming
- BIPOC Playwrights Festival
- annual gala support
- sponsorship support for seasons and productions
In their words
“This turned into a lovely show, performed for all ages, and brought joy to all who participated.” -Geoffrey S., Housatonic Community College
In the news
Recent independent coverage of this organization.
- FUNDSY shifts from aiding arts to championing civil serviceidahopress.com · 7/1/2026The article reports that FUNDSY awarded Boise Contemporary Theater Inc a $103,500 check toward its “Setting the Stage” capital campaign to renovate and modernize the theater’s downtown home. It also states that FUNDSY’s arts-related support has ended for now and will instead shift to the Family Justice Center Foundation of Idaho.
- Boise Contemporary Theatre debuts 'Ajax'boisestatepublicradio.org · 4/2/2026Boise Contemporary Theatre (Boise Contemporary Theater) is preparing to premiere the play “Ajax,” which centers on an Iranian gardener at a villa and an unexpected friendship with an American guest. The play, written by Habib Yazdi, is set around the 1953 coup in Iran and uses comedy and satire until it becomes less funny.
- AJAX at Boise Contemporary Theaterbroadwayworld.com · 4/21/2026
- Comedy and conflict go hand-in-hand in 'Ajax' - Idaho PressIdaho Press · 4/16/2026
- Boise Contemporary Theater premieres "AJAX," a dark comedy on 1953 Tehran coupyahoo.com · 4/15/2026
Grant support
$232,450 from 8 funders · through 2024 (IRS 990 records).
- IDAHO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC — $41,500 (2024)SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATIONS FOR ARTS AND CULTURE
- THE BEWS FOUNDATION — $15,000 (2024)GENERAL OPERATIONS
- FIRST FEDERAL FOUNDATION INC — $3,500 (2024)DOORWAY CONTROL SYSTEM
- WINSTON C & SUREL L MITCHELL — $2,000 (2024)PROMOTION OF THE ARTS
- IDAHO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC — $12,000 (2023)SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATIONS FOR ARTS AND CULTURE
- WINSTON C & SUREL L MITCHELL — $3,000 (2023)PROMOTION OF THE ARTS
- IDAHO POWER FOUNDATION INC — $2,500 (2023)CHILDREN'S READING SERIES
- HANSBERGER FOUNDATION — $20,000 (2022)UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Boise Contemporary Theater Inc has shared.
Current needs
- Support for the education program
- Sponsorships for the 26|27 season
- Support for the BIPOC Playwrights Festival
Volunteer opportunities
- Taking tickets
- Handing out programs
- Patron seating
- Working behind the bar
- Office mailings and other office projects
- Helping with special events
Recognition & press
Awards & recognition
- Mayor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts
- National Theater Company Award from the American Theater Wing, two-time recipient
- 2022-23 City of Boise Cultural Ambassador
In the media
- KTVB, interview about the world premiere of The Life You Gave Me
- Berkeleyside, review of Eureka Day
- The Times of London, review of Eureka Day
- BroadwayWorld Boise, coverage of the world premiere production of a BIPOC Playwrights Festival selection
- Boise State Public Radio, coverage of A Case For the Existence of God
Press & mentions
Partners & funders
In the news
Articles featuring Boise Contemporary Theater Inc from the Love What You Fund newsroom.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
What is Theater Lab at BCT?
Theater Lab gives students the chance to conceive, write, produce, and perform their own original productions.
What ages can take A.C.T. at BCT classes?
A.C.T. at BCT offers classes for youth, adults, and older creatives, with programs described as serving ages 6 to 99+.
How long is a Children’s Reading Series performance?
Children’s Reading Series readings are about 60 minutes and usually do not include an intermission.
What happens in the 5X5 Reading Series?
The 5X5 Reading Series presents staged readings of new plays, and many future BCT productions are road-tested there before reaching the MainStage.
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