NDD: HERSTORY

 2015

• Lauren E. Turner, Keah Moffett, Yolanda Williams, and India Mack envision a smartly managed theatre that is equitable and inclusive for the greater New Orleans metro area. Through several strategic planning sessions, they begin to create a strategic plan to launch such a company in 2019. The idea is simply to create a community anchored theatre that prioritizes a New Orleans community audience.

2016

• No Dream Deferred NOLA is registered/incorporated with the state of Louisiana

• No Dream Deferred  produces its first production MOJO by Alice Childress, in partnership with Southern Rep Theatre and Loyola University.

2017

• No Dream Deferred gains fiscal sponsorship and start up guidance through National Performance Network

• No Dream Deferred produces International Day of Women’s Voices Festival

2018

• Producing Artistic Director, Lauren E. Turner, is listed among “6 Theatre Workers to Know in American Theatre” by American Theatre Magazine/ Theatre Communications Group

• No Dream Deferred produces Black August: A Call To Action, with generous support from VERA Institute of Justice, Tulane University and Equal Justice Initiative

• No Dream Deferred creates its Executive Steering Committee

• No Dream is awarded residency space through the inaugural launch of the SALON Artist[s] in Residence in partnership with Canal Place by Arts Council New Orleans

• No Dream Deferred produces a studio reading of 100 Plays for the First 100 Days by Suzan Lori Parks

2019

• No Dream Deferred curates a gallery exhibit honoring the legacy of Black Theatre in New Orleans titled "The Beautiful Ones, New Orleans Theatre: A Living Legacy"

• No Dream Deferred produces a studio reading of POOF! by Lynn Nottage

• No Dream Deferred produces the workshop development reading of WOKE: A Dream Play by Amelia Parenteau

• No Dream Deferred moves into its new home at Beaubourg Theatre [614 Gravier St.] in the Central Business District in New Orleans.

• No Dream Deferred announces its inaugural play season in June of 2019, featuring 3 mainstage shows, 1 theatre for families, 3 playwriting workshops and 1 performance presentations.

• In the Red and Brown Water, our inaugural production of the 2019-2020 season, premieres in November

2020

• In response to the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, No Dream Deferred launches the Dream Even Now Fund. This unique grant is offered quarterly for Black Women-identified Artists.

• No Dream Deferred premieres One Womxn, One Show: An Ode to Breonna, a virtual streamed storytelling and conversation event for Black Women and those who love us…

2021

• The Dream Studio, an all-ages Black-led virtual summer education program, debuts with classes in Playwriting, Acting for the Camera, and more

• No Dream Deferred receives the CORE grant and begins interviews and production for Still Here: A No Dream Deferred Community Audio Project Listening Session + Community Conversationor EJIC Facilitator Training

• The Andre Cailloux Center for Performing Arts and Cultural Justice becomes the new home of No Dream Deferred Theatre, in association with the Rose Collaborative.

2022

• No Dream Deferred receives a grant from the Greater New Orleans Foundation to fund Equity and Justice for Institutional Change Facilitator Training

• No Dream Deferred launches the Cultural Guardians program in association with the McKenna Museums Le Musee de Free People of Color

• No Dream Deferred announces the premiere WE WILL DREAM: NEW WORKS FESTIVAL with support from the Mellon Foundation