Our Evolution
We began celebrating brilliance and nurturing creativity as a non-profit theatre company called Visible Theatre. Founded in 2000 by Krista Smith, Visible was a socially conscious company in New York City devoted to bringing voice and visibility to underrepresented populations.
We told original stories that transcended stereotypes, favored imaginative solutions over indulgent production budgets, and developed an innovative, long-term creative process that served as laboratory and sanctuary for a radically diverse ensemble of actors, directors, writers and storytellers.
Our five True Story Projects, three original plays, weekly process labs, and intensive retreats in nature helped artists reconnect with their calling, nurture their craft and express their truth. We received six DCA grants, four NYSCA grants and an NEA grant honoring groundbreaking work that served as a model of inclusion for artists with disabilities.
Over more than a decade of mentoring artists, we came to understand that all of us have underrepresented aspects within ourselves, places where our unique brilliance needs permission to shine. We witnessed a common, human fear and simultaneous longing: to be fully heard and seen.
When we have the courage to move through resistance toward more authentic self-expression, we connect to our common humanity, and more conscious communication becomes possible. The creative process can provide this shift in consciousness for anyone.
In 2010, we recognized that it was time to expand our vision to include artists and non-artists alike. We re-imagined our organization, and Hearthfire was born.
