Alley Theatre is one of the largest U.S. professional nonprofit theatres outside of New York City. It is led by Artistic Director Rob Melrose and Managing Director Dean R. Gladden. Founded in 1947 by Nina Vance, a pioneer of regional theatre, it is also one of the oldest professional resident theatre companies in the country. The Alley has been awarded the Tony Award® for Outstanding Regional Theatre, the Pulitzer Prize for one of its premieres, and the Texas Medal of Arts Award. The Alley has transferred its productions to major European Festivals, Broadway, Off-Broadway, and to 40 American cities.
Unique among regional theatres, the Alley is committed to maintaining a full-time Resident Acting Company. Nationally recognized directors, actors, playwrights, and designers from across the country have regularly joined the Resident Acting Company in the Alley’s downtown 75,000 square-foot Center for Theatre Production to rehearse and create sets, props, and costumes for each play.
The Theatre traditionally engages 249,000 people throughout the Greater Houston community each year through a dynamic season of reimagined classics and new work, and a robust series of education and community engagement programs performed at Alley’s 774-seat Hubbard Theatre, 296-seat Neuhaus Theatre and in the community.
The Alley continues to expand and strengthen its reputation as a leader in the national theatre movement. Alley All New Festival for new plays is a recognized national leader in the field and its world premiere plays have been produced across the country from New York to Los Angeles.
ALLEY THEATRE HISTORY
Over the course of its first 75 years, Alley Theatre has grown, struggled, persevered, and triumphed. At times stretching its capabilities, it has always exceeded expectations. From its humble beginning in a dance studio to its current position of national and international prominence, Alley Theatre has made its downtown home a cultural nexus in Houston.
Explore over 75 years of Alley Theatre production history with our ALLEYPEDIA database
VISION
To be a welcoming theatre that is essential to Houston, the nation, and the world
MISSION
To inspire and enchant lives through a variety of theatrical experiences at the highest level of artistic excellence with our Resident Acting Company at the center
VALUES
CREATIVE EXCELLENCE
Committed to standards at the highest professional level in our world premiere productions, contemporary work, classics, and new play development
ALLEY AUDIENCE
Honoring and serving our longtime audience, subscribers, and patrons while simultaneously cultivating and welcoming new audiences to the Alley
ALLEY COMPANY ARTISTS
Dedication to the Resident Acting Company, resident artists and artisans as well as continued relationships with guest directors, writers, actors, and designers
EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Broadening perspectives through education, engagement with the many communities of Houston, using theatre in everyday contexts, and theatre experiences for young people
Alley Staff
Valuing our employees and creating a collaborative culture in which all employees can do their best work
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON/ALLEY THEATRE MFA PROGRAM IN ACTING
The University of Houston’s School of Theatre and Dance in the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts is pleased to announce, alongside the Tony Award®-winning Alley Theatre and its Artistic Director Rob Melrose, the expanded “University of Houston/Alley Theatre MFA Program in Acting.”
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Alley Theatre operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.
The directors and choreographers employed by Alley Theatre are members of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.
The scenic, costume, lighting, and sound designers in LORT theaters are represented by United Scenic Artists, Local USA-829 of the IATSE.
Alley Theatre’s seasonal production and marketing costs are supported in part by the City of Houston through Theater District Improvement Inc. and Houston Arts Alliance.
The Texas Cultural Trust, a 501(c)(3) organization, was established in 1995 to be the leading voice for the arts in education, advocacy, and economic impact in Texas, spotlighting the artistic excellence of our state.
Alley Theatre operates under an agreement with SAG-AFTRA, the union of media professionals in the United States.
