May 6, 2025

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Dear Three Bone Theatre Family,

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We have some difficult news to share with you.

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After our wonderful opening night of …what the end will be, we received notification from the National Endowment for the Arts that our $20,000 grant to support the Luis Alfaro Trilogy has been terminated. This is an unprecedented reversal of federal arts funding nationwide. We were told our project no longer aligns with agency priorities.

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While this termination wasn’t surprising in the midst of the current environment, it was heartbreaking news. Our team worked very hard to apply for NEA funding. We were thrilled to receive our first NEA grant last year to produce the remarkable modern-day retellings of Greek Tragedies by MacArthur Genius grant winner, Luis Alfaro. We are the first company in the country to produce all three pieces. This project also serves as a multi-year commitment to the Latine community that is deeply underrepresented on and behind Charlotte stages.

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Last week, for the first time, we also experienced having our paid social media ads suppressed for …what the end will be, due to “political content” and “social issues.” It is clear that the terrain is shifting quickly. Our dedicated supporters know that Three Bone Theatre is dedicated to highlighting marginalized voices and disrupting the traditional theatre canon. These stories matter and it seems like they are under threat more each day. Equity and Inclusion work is part of our foundation and we are committed to being an anti-racist theatre organization.

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We know we are not alone. ​Arts organizations all over the country are facing reductions and restrictions in support at a time when connecting and creating are absolutely vital to humanizing each other and ourselves. Your support of our mission to use theatre as a catalyst for conversation and change in our community is more important now than ever before.

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Even without the NEA funding, Three Bone Theatre is committed to producing the Luis Alfaro trilogy. These stories, like all of our productions, serve the Charlotte community and deepen our relationships, understanding, and empathy. The show will go on – but we need your help to ensure that the type of work that Three Bone Theatre does is sustained during these difficult times.

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There are a few ways you can help support Three Bone Theatre and other local arts organizations.

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1. Show up – buy a ticket! Invite your friends to shows. Celebrate local talent and productions that embody diversity, equity and inclusion. We are back with …what the end will be this weekend and tickets are available now for our August production of Electricidad, the second play in the Alfaro trilogy.

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2. Make an Individual Donation – Give as generously as you are able! If 100 people gave $100 dollars, we could help close the gap from the termination of our NEA grant… and if you have the capacity to give at a high level and be an Angel Donor, we hope you’ll connect with us about the Trilogy project.

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3. Become a Show or Season Sponsor – If you or your organization has a larger capacity to give and feels passionately about our work, we would love to talk with you about sponsoring a show or our upcoming season, please contact Robin at robin@threebonetheatre.com to discuss benefits and giving levels.

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4. Get Loud – The NEA is a vital part of arts and culture in this country. We will be moving in solidarity under guidance from groups like Theatre Communications Group and Americans for the Arts. Please consider calling or emailing your congressional representatives and letting them know that you do not support the cuts to the NEA.

 

Thank you for standing 10 Toes Down with us as we navigate the future as a socially engaged organization. Thank you for being champions of locally produced theatre in the Queen City. And, thank you for continuing to show up for us in all the ways you are able.

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We look forward to seeing you at the theatre.

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With deep gratitude and hope for the future,

Robin Tynes-Miller, Artist and Operations Director, co-founder

Becky Schultz, Executive Director

Tiffany Bryant-Jackson, Education Manager

Hailey Gilland, Production and Operations Manager

The Three Bone Theatre Board of Directors