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About Us

Who We Are

Mission Statement

Plowshares Theatre Company preserves, presents, and produces African American experiences that challenges minds and builds community.

Vision Statement

Plowshares Theatre Company seeks to set a national standard for ambitious programming, engaging with our audience, and serving as a leader within our community for the collective development of all. Our vision begins with the artist and ends with the audience. Our challenge is to nurture both.

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Our Core Values

Plowshares Theatre Company brings to life passionate stories, plays and programs told through the prism of African American life celebrating enduring themes that affirm, exhibit and inspire our shared human experience.

1

Affirm

We share the story of our ancestors and pass the lessons learned on to the next generation.

2

Educate

We are a home where the most talented emerging and established artists imagine, nurture, and realize their best work for the enjoyment of our audience.

3

Inspire

Our productions, outreach, and education programs use theatre to unleash the untapped potential in all who experience our work.

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Our Team

Founder of the best theatre in Detroit

Gary Anderson

Gary Anderson is Producing Artistic Director of Plowshares Theatre Company. Mr. Anderson is a member of the National Advisory Committee of the Black Seed, a first-ever national strategic plan to create impact for Black theater institutions. A 2016 Kresge Artist Fellow, he is a noted expert in Black Theatre. Among his awards is the Alain Locke Cultural Arts Award from The Friends of African and African American Art, Detroit Institute of Arts; the 2002 Michiganian of the Year Award from The Detroit News; and The Lawrence DeVine Award for Outstanding Contribution from The Detroit Free Press. Anderson has served on the board of the Michigan Equity Theatre Alliance (META), CultureSource, Black Theatre Network, Theatre Communications Group (TCG), and the National Conference on African American Theatre (NCAAT).

2020-2022

Board of Trustees

Stephen JohnsonChairman
Detroit Public Schools

Lucius VassarSecretary
Cinnaire

Judith Booker, Treasurer
Plymouth United Church of Christ

Dr. Addell Anderson
Foodcorp, Michigan

Gary Anderson, Producing Artistic Director
Plowshares Theatre Company

Lauren Hood
Deep Dive Detroit

Patricia L. Millender
Plymouth United Church of Christ

Scott Norman
Actor

Samuel H. Thomas, Jr.
Board Members Emeritus

What They're Saying

Interested in supporting Plowshares Theatre?

It provides a stage for those who never had one. It provides a platform for those who need one. It shines a spotlight on lessons learned by our ancestors. And it shines a light forward for the next generation to follow. It creates a safe space to start a dialogue and a place for the talent of Detroit to rise up and inspire.