Expand the Canon amplifies and advocates for the voices of women and gender-expansive writers whose works have always belonged in the classic theatrical canon. To create a legacy of inclusive storytelling, we seek out and curate excellent underrepresented work in order to reflect a more complete, representative, and accurate history. We empower artists and work alongside partnering theaters, advocacy groups, and educational institutions to bring these plays to the stage and into curricula.

Working in conversation with academics, literary managers, dramaturgs, estates, translators, and librarians, we search the stacks—both the physical and digital—for classic plays by women and gender expansive writers. Their research team maintains an ever-growing database of 9000+ titles, stretching as far back as the 10th century, and from every continent except Antarctica (but we’re still holding out hope).

Their reading committee reads several hundred of these plays each year, scoring based on quality of language, relevance, strength of plot and characters, producibility, and if they themselves would be excited to celebrate the play as a classic. 

From there, their curators select a number of plays to add to the public list, and to share widely with theatermakers, educators, and readers. Their goal is to ensure more of these titles are known, translated, produced, and celebrated—now and into the future.

Many of the plays and playwrights on the official ETC List were appreciated in their time, but have since been excluded from the classic canon. By demanding space for these works alongside Shakespeare, Pinter, Chekhov, and Ibsen, we create a culture that celebrates the contributions of women and gender-expansive writers throughout history. Elevating these plays sends a clear message: diverse voices in theatrical storytelling have always existed—and these works are every bit as worthy of production, reverence, and study as the classics we already know and love. 

Arts Programming & Community Building:Through Literary Salons and readings, ETC offers a space for folks passionate about the ETC mission and  theater classics to connect and share their interests, as well as an opportunity to experience the work of contemporary artists. Additionally, ETC partners with theater companies across the country to facilitate the production of ETC Selected Plays, to bring these classics to the stage, once again. 

Education- Expand The Canon, as an advocacy organization, provides educational resources regarding the playwrights and plays on the ETC list, as well as ways to expand the canon in your community. The ETC podcast, newsletter, and Official List curate works by women and gender expansive writers going back centuries, and offers a path for artists and theater lovers to incorporate these works into their artistic practices, classrooms, personal libraries and beyond.

We at FNPA are uniquely committed to visioning and action, with and for Indigenous performing artists, in service to the following:

a) aligning and making visible the entire Indigenous field of performance practice in what is currently called the US including Indigenous artists, Indigenous arts workers, organizations, and collectives;

b) prioritizing the work of institutional decolonization in the contemporary performance field;

c) readying the US-based Indigenous performing arts sector to be a true global partner with our allies and kin in what is currently called Canada and Australia, as well as Aotearoa (NZ), and elsewhere–areas where robust infrastructures for development, convening, research, commissioning and international touring in support of Indigenous artists already exist, as well as government and public acknowledgement of settler violence;

d) readying the so-called US-based, Indigenous performing arts sector to be a true global partner in areas of the world where, as is such currently in the US – there is no current infrastructure for development, convening, research, commissioning, and international touring in support of Indigenous artists, nor a government or public acknowledgement of settler violence and reparations work; and,

e) uniquely focusing on building local and international touring, commissioning, and residency support for Indigenous artists in a way not currently addressed by our partners and collaborators indicated above.

Fuse Theatre is a non-profit organization centered in the San Francisco Bay Area, dedicated to encouraging meaningful engagement in communities through theatre. Fuse works to expand perspectives, challenge the status quo, and promote social, racial, and economic justice by elevating voices often unheard and stories often left untold. The goal is to spark dialogue and learning with their audience, moving people towards action and social change. Fuse Theatre believes its work is made stronger by the many voices, perspectives, and experiences brought into projects.

The organization has a strong commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA), actively welcoming all people inclusive of various identities. They also operate under Anti-Racist Principles, striving to hire and increase the number of BIPOC artists and staff, create anti-racist policies, expand anti-racist learning opportunities, increase BIPOC board membership to 50%, and foster relationships built on common experiences. 

Fuse achieves its mission through three strategic initiatives: Education, which uses storytelling as a catalyst for dialogue and learning through programs like Community Connections and Theatre for Trees Programs; Performance, spotlighting untold stories and diverse artists to connect audiences and strengthen awareness through the Connect and Play and Ignite Artists Program; and Partnerships, collaborating with artistic, social, and community partners to maximize programmatic impact and share resources. 

A unique aspect is the Sparks Artist Collective, formed to put decision-making power in the hands of the artists. Sparks acts as an advisory board, drives artistic projects, gives input for strategic planning, and collectively makes decisions about artistic direction and budgetary items. Project selection is evaluated by Sparks and the Board based on alignment with Fuse’s mission, diversity, subject matter, resources, and artist opportunities. Fuse currently operates in three primary locations: SF East Bay, Central Valley, CA, and New York City, NY.

Arts Programming- Fuse is a producing non profit and specializes in new work development.

Community Building- FUSE offers group facilitation using theatre techniques and storytelling, and strategic planning facilitation using stories and collaboration. 

Education- Fuse offers acting, public speaking, and improv classes.